Winter Commencement 2021

THE TWENTY- NINTH ANNUAL WINTER COMMENCEMENT of Bluefield College B luefield , V irginia THE THIRTIETH ANNUAL WINTER COMMENCEMENT of Bluefield University B luefield , V irginia

Saturday December 12 , 20 20 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Saturday December 11, 2021 10:0 a.m.

JOY TO THE WORLD! Isaac Watts/Lowell Mason

Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n, and heav’n, and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns; Let all their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders of His love.

COMMENCEMENT

Prelude

Ms. Alandra Blume Collaborative Accompanist, Piano

Processional

Pomp and Circumstance Sir Edward Elgar

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Invocation

Dr. Henry W. Clary Assistant Professor of Christian Studies

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Scripture Reading

Dr. Shellie D. Brown Faculty President, Associate Professor of Education

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Welcome and Introductions

Dr. David W. Olive President

Greetings from the Board of Trustees

Rev. Craig Stout Secretary, Board of Trustees Dr. John-Scott Moir Assistant Professor of Music Mr. Ethan Drake Stinson, ‘23 Ms. Alandra Blume Mr. Jeffrey D. Brannon, ‘22

Vocal Duet

Jesus! Name of Wondrous Love

Titcomb/arr. Young

Four-Hands Piano

On Christmas Night

Traditional Sussex Carol/arr. Ijames

Student Graduate Addresses Caudill School of Business Caudill School of Business

Ms. Brooke Elaine Osborne Mrs. Sherelle Walker Morgan

Commencement Hymn

Joy to the World! Watts/Mason

led by Mr. David J. Pedde Director, Center for Worship Arts accompanied by Ms. Alandra Blume

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Commencement Address

Dr. Dixie Tooke-Rawlins President and Provost Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Presentation of Graduates

Dr. Marshall E. Flowers, Jr. Provost Mrs. Rebecca McCoy-Reese Assistant Professor of Theatre

Conferral of Degrees

Dr. David W. Olive

Alumni Induction

Mr. J. Morgan Lloyd, ‘13 Vice President, Alumni Association Board of Directors

Alma Mater

led by Mr. David J. Pedde accompanied by Ms. Alandra Blume

Zambus/Stovall

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Benediction

Dr. Richard A. Farmer Assistant Professor of Psychology and Human Services

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† Recessional

Triumphal March for Tarpeja Ludwig van Beethoven

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

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COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Dixie Tooke-Rawlins

Dr. Dixie Tooke-Rawlins is the President and Provost of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. In 2001, as the Founding Dean, she was the principal academic administrator in the development of the College as a collaborative partner with Virginia Tech. In 2010, as the Senior Dean, she led the college in establishing a Carolinas branch campus and in 2015 as Provost, in opening the Auburn Campus in partnership with Auburn University. In 2019, as President & Provost, she led the college in establishing the Louisiana Campus. Dr. Tooke-Rawlins holds the academic title of Professor in Family Medicine. Dr. Tooke-Rawlins is a graduate of Truman University and Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM). Initially board certified in emergency medicine and family medicine, she remains certified in family medicine. She practiced 8 years in emergency medicine and 15 years in family medicine before entering full time academic medicine. She served as a family medicine residency director for 6 years in Michigan and Pennsylvania and as a Director of Medical Education. Prior to her current appointment she served as the Associate Clinical Dean and as Interim Dean for KCOM. Dr. Tooke-Rawlins has received many awards for her academic career including the 2003 Distinguished Service Award from KCOM Alumni Association, Resident Educator Award 2003, the 2008 SOMA Foundation George W. Northrup Educator of the Year Award, the 2008 Outstanding Faculty Leader Award by the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), the 2009 International Service Award by the Medical Society of Virginia, the 2008 Virginia Rural Health Association’s Charles Crowder Award, the 2009 Local Legends Award by AMWA displayed in the Smithsonian Library of Medicine, the 2012 National Minority Access Role Model Award, and the 2011 National Educator of the Year Award and the 2011 Mentor Hall of Fame from the American Osteopathic Foundation.

CANDIDATES FOR MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION Hannah Gail Mayo Edwards Falls Mills, Virginia Education in Teaching Excellence Craig F. Riffe Lindside, West Virginia Education in Teaching Excellence

CANDIDATES FOR MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Charity B. Addington Weber City, Virginia Leadership Andrew C. Bailey Bluefield, West Virginia Leadership Sherelle Walker Morgan Bluefield, West Virginia Leadership Devan Kyle Reeves Galax, Virginia Leadership Wesley Alan Strock Bland, Virginia Leadership

Steven Kyle Chafin Pearisburg, Virginia Leadership Christopher Lee Clifton Rowe, Virginia Leadership Travon Marquez Copes New Church, Virginia Leadership Marlena M. Kimbleton Radford, Virginia Leadership Family Nurse Practitioner Melissa Marie Coleman Bland, Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner Melissa Ann Davis Kopperston, West Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner Bryan Edward Fichtner Reidsville, North Carolina Family Nurse Practitioner Christina Johnson Rice Pearisburg, Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner Audra Marie Rogers Beckley, West Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner

David A. Walker Tazewell, Virginia Leadership Kristen Ashley Whelchel Spotsylvania, Virginia Leadership

CANDIDATES FOR MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING Kristen Dana Cales Talcott, West Virginia

Tequila Marie Rogers Beckley, West Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner Stacie Joy Scurlock Scott Beckley, West Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner Angela Karen Stroupe Princeton, West Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner Conley Vada White Beaver, West Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner Shauna Wise Princeton, West Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner

* With Distinction

** Cum Laude

***Magna Cum Laude

****Summa Cum Laude

CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR OF ARTS

Grecia Ornella Almandoz*** West Columbia, South Carolina Criminal Justice James Dick

Emma Grace Hyatt** Randleman, North Carolina English with Teacher Licensure

Abingdon, Virginia Ministry Leadership

CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE James P. Dodson Ridgeway, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Rose N. Ejiba Chantilly, Virginia

Karley BreAnn Akers * Wytheville, Virginia Criminal Justice Zachary Daniel Alexander Alford * Marion, Virginia Business Administration Dustin Barker Pound, Virginia Business Administration Zaire Brandon Halifax, Virginia Biology Lauren Ashley Brewster Bluefield, West Virginia Business Administration Lillian Michelle Burke Dublin, Virginia Organizational Leadership Jonathon Garnett Burton Bluefield, Virginia Criminal Justice Andrew Cole Carter Bluefield, Virginia Biology Michael S. Christian Roanoke, Virginia Criminal Justice Halle Kaitlyn Cook Bluefield, Virginia Criminal Justice Samantha Martin Crooks Montpelier, Virginia Human Services Angelashley Unique Diaz **** Rochester, New York Cybersecurity ´

Business Administration Casey Garrett Elliott ** Giles County, Virginia Organizational Leadership Michael Sergei Ferreira Abingdon, Virginia Cybersecurity Shade Fraierson * Richmond, Virginia Human Services Rachel Dawn Fridley * New Castle, Virginia Business Administration Shelrita Hendrix Goode * Hampton, Virginia

Human Services Deborah Green Henrico, Virginia Human Services Ben E. Hanson Fincastle, Virginia Cybersecurity Malissa Robin-Marie Hartwell *** Roanoke, Virginia Business Administration Amy L. Havens Boones Mill, Virginia Business Administration

Rebecca Isom * Hiwassee, Virginia Early Childhood Education

* With Distinction

** Cum Laude

***Magna Cum Laude

****Summa Cum Laude

Michaela Leanne Jackson **** Carroll County, Virginia Criminal Justice Jermiah Raijon Jenkins Norfolk, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Rachel Jenkins ** Culpeper, Virginia Early Childhood Education Katelyn Noel Robinson Keeling Marion, Virginia Human Services Samuel Kirtley Moneta, Virginia Criminal Justice Charlotte N. Lane *** Blacksburg, Virginia Human Services Scarlet Elizabeth Lester Bluefield, Virginia Human Services Creeden Lee Lumpp Boones Mill, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Timothy Jordan Martin Wytheville, Virginia Criminal Justice Candice Chernay McDaniel Norfolk, Virginia Organizational Leadership Sarah Megan McKnight * Boston, Virginia Criminal Justice Annalisa Renee Merkle * Bradenton, Florida Human Services Hunter E. Miller Manassas, Virginia Cybersecurity William Nicholas Miller Bluefield, Virginia Criminal Justice

Brooke Elaine Osborne ** North Tazewell, Virginia Business Administration Jacob Owens Whitewood, Virginia Interdisciplinary Studies Ariana Michelle Maye Parham * Dinwiddie, Virginia Human Services

KeDarrius Phinazee Chattanooga, Tennessee Exercise and Sport Science Leah Faith Plott *** Bluefield, Virginia Interdisciplinary Studies with Teacher Licensure Leslie A. Poe Ivanhoe, Virginia Business Administration Noah Reynolds *** Rock Hill, South Carolina Criminal Justice Skye' Royal *

Amelia, Virginia Human Services

Tessa Raye Saiia Baraboo, Wisconsin

Interdisciplinary Studies with Teacher Licensure Farah Laetitia Saadet Schweers Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany Criminal Justice Sharon Sloan Slayton * Roanoke, Virginia Human Services Ryan O'Neal Smith Jr. Woodbridge, Virginia Business Administration Krystal Leigh Sparks *** Elk Creek, Viriginia Human Services Antonio Jermaine Strickland Jr. Jefferson, Georgia Exercise and Sport Science

Lenyn Napoleon Oregon City, Oregon Exercise and Sport Science Stacey Lee Nicholson * Culpeper, Virginia Business Administration

Christopher Sumrall New Augusta, Mississippi Criminal Justice

* With Distinction

** Cum Laude

***Magna Cum Laude

****Summa Cum Laude

Sandra Kiser Tatum * Richlands, Virginia Psychology and Human Services Mya Patrice Waller * Ashland, Virginia Human Services Sara Nicole Warren** Pikeville, Kentucky Human Services Charnice Destiny White Manassas, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Johnny Dwayne Blackburn Jr. Grundy, Virginia RN to BSN Ashley Paige Christian Coeburn, Virginia RN to BSN Danielle Clevinger Abingdon, Virginia RN to BSN Emily Lynn Harper* Martinsville, Virginia RN to BSN Jason Eric Hash* Marion, Virginia RN to BSN

Brooke Williams Pocahontas, Virginia Psychology Lavonne Faith Williams Tazewell, Virginia Early Childhood Education William Darryell Williams Quinton, Virginia Organizational Leadership Brandi Jade Willis Richlands, Virginia Criminal Justice Connie Suzanne Hensley Abingdon, Virginia RN to BSN Corey Nathaniel Honaker* Tazewell, Virginia RN to BSN Kelly E. Stacy * North Tazewell, Virginia RN to BSN Lonnie Ray Thomas, Jr. * Vansant, Virginia RN to BSN

CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

CANDIDATES FOR ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE

Tracy Michelle Shelton Bland, Virginia General Studies Brandy Leighan Steele Christiansburg, Virginia Early Childhood Education Kimberly R. Williams Montcalm, West Virginia General Studies Jordyn E. Wilson Honolulu, Hawaii General Studies

Kassidy Bingel Gainesville, Virginia General Studies Mariah Carr Palmyra, Virginia General Studies Kourtney Laine Dalton Bumpass, Virginia General Studies WilliamMitchell Hurt Willis, Virginia General Studies Hannah Joy Nather Hutchinson, Kansas General Studies

* With Distinction

** Cum Laude

***Magna Cum Laude

****Summa Cum Laude

GRADUATION HONORS Bluefield University 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 distinction: Cum Laude 3.50 – 3.74 Magna Cum Laude 3.75 – 3.89 Summa Cum Laude 3.90 – 4.00 Baccalaureate graduates who complete less than 60 credit hours at Bluefield University and earn a cumulative grade point average from 3.5 to 4.0 are recognized “With Distinction.” THE UNIVERSITY SEAL The University Seal has been in existence since the doors of BluefieldUniversity 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 University, as it speaks of the duty to serve God and to be divine light in this country and throughout the world. THE UNIVERSITY MACE Bluefield University ceremonial occasions begin with the entrance of the University Mace, carried by the University senior faculty member and Faculty Marshal. The mace symbolizes the University’s governing authority and is present when the University 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 University mace is seen regularly at the President’s Convocation, the Honors Convocation, and the Winter and Spring Commencement ceremonies. The BluefieldUniversitymace is 42 inches in length. The four-sided head-piece displays red and blue enamel reproductions of the University Seal on antique bronze medals. The mahogany shaft is ringed in brass banners engraved with the University’s four core values, which read “Christ-centered Learning,” “Academic Excellence,” “Integrity and Mutual Respect,” and “Serves to Transform the World.”

THE UNIVERSITY GONFALON The Bluefield University Gonfalon is a symbol of our collective responsibility to engage in a Christ-centered community of integrity and learning. Bluefield University’s colors, which compose the University Gonfalon, are blue, white, and red. The University Seal adorns the top of the Gonfalon, and at its base, is the symbol of inspiration for the University, which is the University Spire. In this official version, the Spire is left half open to convey the responsibility that each individual, be they student, faculty, staff, or administration has to do their part to complete the work of learning to which we have been entrusted. 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:

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 University Alumni Association, I will take an active role in the life of my University 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 University 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 University, and may God bless each of us as we impact our world.

BLUEFIELD UNIVERSITY ALMA MATER