• The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Bluefield State College has been awarded continuing accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), Inc. The College was notified in September of the NLNAC action, following an accreditation visit to review the program earlier in the year.

• Plans continued for an event-packed week of activities that will mark Bluefield State College's Homecoming celebration. Mr. Wellington Swindall, a well-known public school administrator and supporter of BSC, will return to his alma mater to deliver the Founders' Day speech.

• Bluefield State College enrollment for the Fall 2002 Semester reached an all-time high, according to preliminary figures. Nearly 3,000 students have enrolled at BSC this semester, with substantial enrollment growth at all campuses and centers of the College.

• The Student Support Services program at Bluefield State College, received a $328,737 grant for the 2002-03 fiscal year. The grant award for Student Support Services, a TRIO program at BSC, was presented through the U.S. Department of Education. This year's award includes a base amount of approximately $283,000, a previous grant aid recipient award of $3500, a new grant aid recipient award of $36,000, and a technology supplement of $5,000. More than $39,000 through the combined grant aid recipient awards will be presented to 20 freshmen and 20 sophomores.

• The BSC student chapter of Habitat for Humanity continued site preparation and construction work for a residence that will be presented to a disadvantaged family later this year

• Affiliating with a national campaign to "close the health gap" that exists in America, Bluefield State College's Title HI Program, Student Health Center, and Minority Health Institute joined in promoting September 24, 2002 as "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day." As a Level One partner in the national campaign, the BSC entities encouraged area residents to take someone to see a health professional or to make an appointment to see a health professional. The "Take a Loved One" campaign is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' "Closing the Health Gap" program.

• Encouraged by its success in helping students overcome barriers to college, the West Virginia Access Center for Higher Education ('@ANACHE) welcomed new Executive Board and Advisory Board members during its September meeting at Bluefield State College. BSC President Dr. Albert Walker is chairman of the WVACHE Board of Directors. The V@VACHE program has enjoyed significant success through its Access Project grants. NNNACHE funds selected K-12 schools in West Virginia to conduct activities that help students overcome barriers to college.

• Two Bluefield State College Nursing Division faculty members participated in a workshop focused upon increasing diversity in the nursing workforce. Dr. Bernadette Dragich, Professor of Nursing, and Ms. Cheryl Winter, Assistant Professor of Nursing, were invited by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office of Minority Health to attend the organization's "Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant Program" workshop, September 18-20 in Silver Spring, MD.

• With the shared goal of addressing a nursing shortage in the region, the Nicholas- Webster Rural Health Network is partnering with the associate degree nursing (ADN) programs at Bluefield State College and Glenville State College. In mid- September, the first eight students to enter the program through the consortium were honored during a luncheon in Summersville. Representatives from each of the consortium's members--Summersville Memorial Hospital, Webster County Memorial Hospital, Richwood Area Community Hospital, Camden-on-Gauley Medical Center, Friends-R-Fun Child Development Center, the Nicholas County Health Department, Bluefield State College/Beckley Center, and Glenville State College/Summersville Center--welcomed the students.

• Bluefield State College faculty members Melissa Haye and Holly Parish have been selected to serve as co-chairpersons for the 50' annual West Virginia Society of Radiologic Technologist's (WVSRT) annual conference at Pipestem State Park, November 8-9.

• Telecast throughout Bluefield-area cable system two Bluefield City Board of Directors' meetings and the monthly Mercer County Board of Education meeting in September

• The BSC Alumni Association's Budget, Audit, and Finance Committees held their fifth session to finalize the proposed budget for 2003. Committee members who met throughout the summer included Warner Baxter (Cleveland, OH), Virginia Hebert (Bluefield, WV), Ora Johnson (Bluefield, WV), James Price (Detroit, MI), Dr. Maposure Miller (Cleveland, OH), and Doris J. Payne (Cannelton, WV)

• Doris Payne (chair of the Hatter Hall Advisory Council), Virginia Hebert, Ora Johnson, and Ruth Brown worked throughout September to make final preparations for the opening of Hatter Hall, our Alumni House. "These sessions were long, productive, tiring, and full of love for this institution, as well as being full of the 'good ole Bluefield Spirit,"' noted President Brown.

• September and early October, 2002 were spent in preparation for Homecoming 2002. Chapter Presidents took special measures to attend the annual Fall meeting of the BSCAA. Elected and appointed officials planned for Homecoming activities that included a reception welcoming BSC President Dr. Albert Walker, the Hatter Hall Open House, Founders' Day 2002, executive and general sessions of the BSCAA, installation of officers, and the homecoming parade.

• The annual Fall meeting of the BSCAA, Inc. was held, October 4-6, 2002 and was attended by more than 50 persons from eight states and the District of Columbia.

• A reception hosted by the BSCAA welcomed Dr. Albert Walker and his wife, Mary, to Bluefield State College. More than 200 persons attended, including members of the BSC Board of Governors, the College's administration, support staff, faculty, alumni, BSCAA, Inc. members, scholarship recipients, community leaders, and other supporters of the institution. "Our motto, 'Together, We Can Continue to Make a Difference,' came alive and shone brightly at the reception," stated Ms. Brown, who presided at the reception and presented Dr. Walker with a gift from the Alumni Association.

• The Hatter Hall Open House on October 5, 2002 "will remain in our hearts forever," noted Ms. Brown. All facets of the College community, alumni, regional leaders, supporters, and friends--more than IS 0 in all--attended the program, which saluted the effort over a seven year period to make the Hatter Hall initiative a reality. Gloria M. Thompson, grand niece of William Jackson (former maintenance director at BSC), sang "The Lord's Prayer," and "May the Works I Have Done Speak for Me."

• Alumni attended Founder's Day, and President Brown participated in the homecoming parade.

• The annual meeting of the BSC Alumni Association marked the changing of the Association's officers. President Brown chaired the last session of her tenure of two terms (1998-2002). All of the goals established had been addressed and the vision became a reality, she said. "Without a vision, the people perish," she reminded those in attendance. "The Association elected Mr. Louis Aikens (Winston-Salem, NC) as its new president, 2002-2004. The Reverend Irma Cabiness installed the elected officials of the Association in a special ceremony on October 5. "Much work was done to make the weekend a success," Ms. Brown said. "It was worthwhile, and the support and cooperation of alumni, Association members, and BSC staff was truly appreciated."

• Letters of invitation to join the Association, as well as brochures of information about the Association, were mailed to the 550 graduates of the BSC Class of 2002. "We are encouraging their attendance at the October 4-6 Alumni Association meetings, and we invite them to join the Association," Brown said.

• The sessions with the Classified Staff, the faculty, and Dr. Walker, August 16, 2002 at an All-College meeting were well attended. Brown attended the meeting and observed, "Real leaders are everyday people with extraordinary determination. Dr. Walker is a real leader and we welcome and support him."

(A two-month composite report of BSC Center for Economic Enhancement Activities will be included with the October, 2002 monthly activity report)