Winter Commencement 2017 Program

THE TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL WINTER COMMENCEMENT of Bluefield College B luefield , V irginia

Saturday December 9, 2017 10:00 a.m.

O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL Wade

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem! Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels!

O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, O sing, all ye bright hosts of Heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest!

Refrain

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!

Refrain

COMMENCEMENT

 Prelude

Mr. Harold R. Brown Adjunct Instructor of Music

*Processional

Mr. Harold R. Brown

*Invocation

Dr. Joe C. Saunders Professor of Chemistry

*Scripture Reading

Dr. Sharon Perot Associate Professor of Business

 Welcome and Introductions

Dr. David W. Olive President

 Greetings from the Board of Trustees

Mrs. Julie H. Johnson Former Chair, Board of Trustees

 Student Addresses  College of Professional Programs  College of Arts and Letters

Mr. Christopher Robinson Ms. Rebekah Ivester led by Dr. Charles Priest Associate Professor of Music

O Come, All Ye Faithful

*Hymn

Wade

 Commencement Address

Dr. Bobby Griffin, LHD Business Leader and Entrepreneur

 Presentation of Graduates

Dr. Marshall E. Flowers, Jr. Vice President for Academic Affairs & Athletics Mrs. Rebecca McCoy-Reese

Assistant Professor of Theatre 2017-2018 Faculty President

 Conferral of Degrees

Dr. David W. Olive

 Alumni Induction

Mr. Zachary Smith Vice President, Alumni Association Board

Zambus/Stovall

*Alma Mater

led by Dr. Charles Priest

*Benediction

Dr. Cynthia Bascom Professor of Communication

*†Recessional

Mr. Harold R. Brown

* Please stand *† Please remain standing at your seat until after the Recessional

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Bobby F. Griffin

People are inspired – not by people who have only experienced success – but by people who have known failure and succeeded in spite of it. Bobby F. Griffin was born and raised in Bristol, Virginia where he was considered “least likely to succeed” and what was worse, he believed it. At age 17 he dropped out of school and had only finished the ninth grade. He joined the Army, went to Korea and was wounded. He returned home to an economy that had no need for a high school dropout. If our past is a predictor of our future, his was not promising. Albert Schweitzer’s father once told his son, “It isn’t what happens to the man that counts. It’s what the man does about what happens that matters most.” Bobby Griffin was determined not to let what happened to him shape his future. He took command of his life. He showed the kind of courage and character necessary to realize his dreams. That man who was “least likely to succeed” and whose future looked so dark and uncertain has started several businesses from scratch and built them into multi-million dollar companies. He is a successful businessman, president of several companies and serves on the board of several colleges and universities. In 1979 he was selected as Personality of the South ; in 1985 he received an honorary doctor’s degree, Doctor of Humane Letters , from Emmanuel Baptist Seminary in Shelby, North Carolina, in 1990 he was selected for Who’s Who in Leading American Executives and in May 2004 he received another honorary doctor’s degree, Doctor of Administration , from Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Kentucky. He is married to the former Frieda Bass and they have two sons and four grandchildren.

CANDIDATE FOR HONORS PROGRAM

Jacob Raymond Key Midlothian, Virginia Criminal Justice

CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE

Taoufik Farhan Fairfax, Virginia Criminal Justice Rebekah Elizabeth Ivester** Woodbridge, Virginia Church Music

Theresa Brittany Walters Fredericksburg, Virginia Theatre

CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE

Charity Beth Addington Weber City, Virginia Management and Leadership Crystal Denise Alonso Crab Orchard, West Virginia Human Services Krystle Marie Brooks* Painter, Virginia Human Services Alisin Agatha Burrell Petersburg, Virginia Criminal Justice John Alexander Canning Charlie M. Carr Roanoke, Virginia Management and Leadership Kimberly Dawn Coe Bluefield, Virginia Human Services Erica L. Cook Kernersville, North Carolina Criminal Justice Galax, Virginia Human Services

Roswell Del Rosario* San Juan, Puerto Rico

Exercise and Sport Science Maria De Jesus Dreikorn Denver, North Carolina Psychology Andrea Kathleen Forni San Ramon, California Management and Leadership Joseph Richard Gatewood, Jr. Poughkeepsie, New York Exercise and Sport Science Breanna Victoria Goins Troutdale, Virginia Criminal Justice John M. Gulatsi, Jr. Charleston, South Carolina Criminal Justice Jason Harbeck Phoenix, Arizona Management and Leadership Ashley Neel Hodge* Wytheville, Virginia Human Services

* Cum Laude

**Magna Cum Laude

***Summa Cum Laude

Melanie S. Hodges Roanoke, Virginia

Jonathan D. Nicastro* Woodbridge, Virginia Criminal Justice Matthew J. Owen** Halifax, Virginia Psychology Holly Ayne Phillips Hillsville, Virginia

Early Childhood Education Mary-Kathryn Ingram Collinsville, Virginia Management and Leadership Brenda Taylor Jenkins Boyce, Virginia Human Services Tommy Jerome Jimmerson Chester, Virginia Human Services Tammy Brubaker Johnson Rocky Mount, Virginia Human Services Nicolas Wayne Jones Roanoke, Virginia Management and Leadership Human Services Mary R. Martin Madison Heights, Virginia Human Services Christopher Brad Mathias* Blackstone, Virginia Management and Leadership Danique L. McGuire Henrico, Virginia Management and Leadership Stacie Mullins Big Stone Gap, Virginia Early Childhood Education Brett M. Lane** Stafford, Virginia Criminal Justice Jillian Faith Lineberry Woodlawn, Virginia

Human Services Robin Pulliam* Marion, Virginia Human Services

Adrienne LaShae Ray Peterstown, West Virginia Human Services

Sadáe Richardson Dinwiddie, Virginia Human Services Jenna Brooke Ring Hillsville, Virginia Human Services Christopher Rhea Robinson*** Christiansburg, Virginia

Management and Leadership Courtney Jasmine Starke

Alberta, Virginia Human Services Kyle A. Stearnes

Victoria, Virginia Criminal Justice Joseph Allen Stevers Pembroke, Virginia Management and Leadership Amber Nicole Stovall**

Troutdale, Virginia Human Services and

Management and Leadership Kendell Victoria Stuart *

Angela Lee Nester Fancy Gap, Virginia Human Services

Bland, Virginia Human Services

* Cum Laude

**Magna Cum Laude

***Summa Cum Laude

Casey A. Suthers Radford, Virginia Human Services Ginger Angelic Tanks* Roanoke, Virginia Management and Leadership Michelle L. Tardie** Fredericksburg, Virginia Human Services Ruby Jean Thompson Portsmouth, Virginia Human Services Semaj A. Tisdale Kingstree, South Carolina Exercise and Sport Science Anthony Vincent Tufaro Scotch Plains, New Jersey Criminal Justice Sheryl R. Valentine Dinwiddie, Virginia Human Services

Kayla Lynn Viars Max Meadows, Virginia Management and Leadership Nina Yvette Williams* West Point, Virginia Human Services Sophia Marie Wilson** Galax, Virginia Human Services Yolanda Winn Dinwiddie, Virginia Criminal Justice Virginia Brooke Wolford Tazewell, Virginia Interdisciplinary Studies Addison Wood* Tazewell, Virginia Biology Hope Disibbio Woolwine Dublin, Virginia Management and Leadership

CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOROF SCIENCE INNURSINGDEGREE Amber Loraine Agnor

Aaron J. Dancey Glade Spring, Virginia RN to BSN Nursing Natalie Hamm Ferrence*

Roanoke, Virginia RN to BSN Nursing Mahala Odessa Bowman Ararat, Virginia RN to BSN Nursing Nicki Renee Burgess Fredericksburg, Virginia

Wytheville, Virginia RN to BSN Nursing Siddeeqah S. Gumbs Harlem, New York RN to BSN Nursing Colette McMullan Chilhowie, Virginia RN to BSN Nursing

RN to BSN Nursing Denise Daggers* Chesapeake, Virginia RN to BSN Nursing

* Cum Laude

**Magna Cum Laude

***Summa Cum Laude

Katherine A. Morris Damascus, Virginia RN to BSN Nursing Victoria Lynn Mullins Stuart, Virginia RN to BSN Nursing Shannon Holder Newman Bassett, Virginia RN to BSN Nursing Florence V. Nicholson

Karen Renee Robinette Big Stone Gap, Virginia RN to BSN Nursing Ashlee Paige Snapp Kingsport, Tennesse RN to BSN Nursing Jessica Nicole Tate Martinsville, Virginia RN to BSN Nursing Victoria Kaye Testerman Galax, Virginia RN to BSN Nursing Taryn Jacy Thomas

Madison, Virginia RN to BSN Nursing Heather Oakes Big Stone Gap, Virginia RN to BSN Nursing

Abingdon, Virginia RN to BSN Nursing

* Cum Laude

**Magna Cum Laude

***Summa Cum Laude

THE COLLEGE SEAL The College Seal has been in existence since the doors of Bluefield College opened in 1922. Designed by the daughter of Dr. R. A. Lansdell, first President of Bluefield College, it features three Latinwords, “Deus,”meaning God, “Patria,”meaning country, and “Lux,” meaning light. The seal has been a beacon of light for those who study, teach, and serve at Bluefield College, as it speaks of the duty to serve God and to be divine light in this country and indeed throughout the world. GRADUATION HONORS Bluefield College baccalaureate graduates are recognized with honors for achievement of a cumulative grade point average from 3.5 to 4.0. Baccalaureate degree honors are recognized by wearing blue, white, and gold cords, and by the following distinctions: Cum Laude 3.50 - 3.74 Magna Cum Laude 3.75 - 3.89 Summa Cum Laude 3.90 - 4.00 THE COLLEGE MACE Bluefield College ceremonial occasions begin with the entrance of the College Mace, carriedby the College senior facultymember andFacultyMarshal. Themace symbolizes the College’s governing authority and is present when the College leadership and faculty are in attendance. The tradition of the mace derives frommedieval times in England, when the mace was held by a bodyguard for dignitaries at ceremonial functions. Today, ceremonial maces are used by governing bodies worldwide, including the U.S. House of Representatives and the British Parliament. As an ancient symbol of authority, it reminds us that colleges and universities are custodians both of the enduring traditions of learning and of the power they bestow upon those who come to learn. It is also a reminder that the learning process has not always been comfortable and easy. The Bluefield College Mace is seen regularly at the President’s Convocation, the Honors Convocation, and the Winter and Spring Commencement ceremonies. The Bluefield College Mace is 42 inches in length. The four-sided head-piece displays red and blue enamel reproductions of the College Seal on antique bronze medals. The mahogany shaft is ringed in brass banners engraved with the College’s four core values, which read “Christ-centered Learning,” “Academic Excellence,” “Integrity and Mutual Respect,” and “Serves to Transform the World.”

ACADEMIC REGALIA The origins of academic regalia date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, when universities were beginning. The first gowns were patterned after the dress of the cleric and were believed to be a necessity for warmth in unheated buildings. Hoods were designed to serve as head coverings. Caps were not used at that time. The shape of the gown indicates the academic level: bachelor, master, or doctor. Black is the most common color in America, although now many colleges and universities are using one of their colors. The doctor’s robe usually has three velvet stripes on the sleeves, in black or in the color of the discipline of the degree. The colors of the hood indicate the academic discipline and the institution. The colors associated with the different disciplines are as follows: THE COLLEGE GONFALON The Bluefield College Gonfalon is a symbol of our collective responsibility to engage in a Christ-centered community of integrity and learning. Bluefield College’s colors, which compose the College Gonfalon, are blue, white, and red. The College Seal adorns the top of the Gonfalon, and at its base, is the symbol of inspiration for the College, which is the College Spire. In this official version, the Spire is left half open to convey the responsibility that each individual has, be they student, faculty, staff, or administra- tion, to do their part to complete the work of learning to which we have been entrusted.

Accountancy........................................Drab Anthropology....................................... Gold Arts....................................................White Behavioral Science........................... Oyster Biochemistry. ...................................... Gold Business Administration.....................Drab Chiropractic......................................... Grey Commerce. ..........................................Drab Communication.............................Crimson Counseling & Guidance.............. Light Blue Divinity.............................................Scarlet Dramatic Arts................................... Brown Economics....................................... Copper Education................................... Light Blue Engineering.....................................Orange English...............................................White Fine Arts........................................... Brown History...............................................White Home Economics...........................Maroon Humanities........................................White Journalism. ...................................Crimson

Jurisprudence. ................................. Purple Law................................................... Purple Letters................................................White Library Science.................................Lemon Literature...........................................White Medicine............................... Hunter Green Music................................................... Pink Nursing............................................Apricot Oratory (Speech)................................Silver Philosophy..................................Ph.D. Blue Physical Education................... Sage Green Physical Therapy..................................Teal Psychology........................................... Gold Public Administration........... Peacock Blue Public Health...................................Salmon Physics......................................Bright Gold Science......................................Bright Gold Social Work.......................................Citron Speech. ...............................................Silver Theology...........................................Scarlet Urban Planning.........................Blue-Violet

ALUMNI CREED

As a member of The Bluefield College Alumni Association, I will take an active role in the life of my College through prayer, advocacy, and gifts of time and resources. Good work ethic, compassion, community involvement, appreciation for others, and faith in God have become a foundation for me as a student. These values give me a hope and a passion to share the Bluefield College mission with others as I journey through each chapter of my life. I will remember the lighted spire on the hill, and may it remain a symbol to guide me all of my days. May God continue to bless the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Bluefield College, and may God bless each of us as we impact our world.

ALMA MATER Zambus/Stovall

In Virginia where the mountains lift their peaks so bold and high There stands our Alma Mater dear and for her fame we vie. We hail thee Bluefield College, thy red, thy blue, thy white; Ever serving God and country, walking in God’s holy light. The two Virginias greet thy fame as at thy feet they meet, Old Dominion and her daughter in sweet peace at thy feet. We hail thee Bluefield College, thy red, thy blue, thy white; Ever serving God and country, walking in God’s holy light.