Nearly 200 Students Receive Degrees
During BSC's Baccalaureate
Commencement Exercises

One hundred ninety-nine Bluefield State College students received degrees during Saturday's Baccalaureate Degree portion of the institution's 106th commencement exercises at the Ned Shott Gym on BSC's Bluefield campus. Altogether, 457 degrees were conferred during the College's Associate and Baccalaureate graduation programs.

Presidential inauguration ceremonies, honoring Dr. Albert Walker as BSC's 12th president, were a featured activity during the program. Dr. Walker, who began his service as the College's president last August, received the "Presidential Medallion" from Norris Kantor, chairman of the Bluefield State College Board of Governors. "The Presidential Medallion signifies the authority of Bluefield State College's highest ranking office," chairman Kantor noted. "By his acceptance of this medallion, Dr. Walker agrees to represent Bluefield State College and provide direction and leadership as the College fulfills its mission." "I thank all of you for making my first year (at Bluefield State College) all it could be," the BSC president said. He saluted the Board, employees, students, alumni, 2003 graduates, and families of graduates, for their support of the College. "We stood up and promoted Bluefield State College," he continued. "The State Legislature heard us and, with our anticipated growth over the next few months, our enrollment this Fall Semester should exceed 4000 students."

He encouraged the Class of 2003 to strive for excellence. "Use your new degrees to open doors. You are empowered to be successful," Dr. Walker observed. "Remember the three f's,' faith, family, and friends. And remember that attainment of your degree today is not the end of your learning, but the beginning.

Jeremy Allen Stover (4.0 grade point average/computer science major) was recognized as the College's 2003 valedictorian, and William Thomas Cooper (3.95 GPA in criminal justice administration) was honored as salutatorian.

Bruce Mutter, chairman of the BSC Faculty Senate and Director of the BSC Center for Applied Research and Technology, was named the "Bluefield State College Foundation Outstanding Faculty Award" recipient for 2003. Among his many responsibilities, Prof. Mutter serves as a College representative with the Rahall Transportation Institute, the Technician Certification Board of the West Virginia Department of Transportation, and he has overseen architectural engineering technology students in a variety of initiatives.

BSC senior Angela Byrd was named the first recipient of the "Brian Delp Service Leadership Award," named in honor of a BSC student who lost his life while assisting a stranded motorist last fall. Dr. Donald W. Caudill, the BSC Business Division faculty member whose philanthropy enabled the creation of the award, was also recognized by the Delp family for his compassion and support.

Seven members of the BSC Class of 1953 returned to their alma mater to participate in the program on the golden anniversary of their graduation. BSC Alumni Association President Dr. Louis Aikens also administered the alumni oath to all members of the graduating class of 2003, providing each new graduate with a complementary membership to the Alumni Association for the year.

The 22-voice BSC Community Choir, under the direction of retired College faculty member Donald Kensinger, performed three musical selections, including the "Bluefield State College Hymn.

May 17, 2003