( Bluefield)—Like many Bluefield State College students, Jonas Peters has returned to college after several years in the workforce, and like some, he’s enrolled in the very challenging Radiologic Technology program at BSC. ( Bluefield)—Like many Bluefield State College students, Jonas Peters has returned to college after several years in the workforce, and like some, he’s enrolled in the very challenging Radiologic Technology program at BSC.
Peters, though, is special among all students in the program. He’s succeeding despite the challenge of being the only student in the program with just one arm. Peters, who lost his left arm as an infant, relies on the positive support of family and friends along with his experience as a student-athlete to move toward his goals.
“Throughout my life, I’ve been surrounded by people who have been positive,”
he stated. “I rarely heard anyone say I couldn’t do something. I don’t have to do things the same way everybody else does it,” he explained during a recent discussion at BSC’s Beckley Center. “I’ve been able to figure things out…coming up with ways it works for me.” He’s on pace to graduate from the radiologic technology program in 2008. “I really enjoy the program,” he added.
An athlete throughout his life, Peters was a captain on the soccer team and played on state champion runner-up tennis team in high school. He also played through his ninth grade year. After graduating in 1995, he entered High Point University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business management four years later.
“I worked for the Hickory Crawdads (a minor league baseball team in the South Atlantic League from 2000 to 2002, beginning as an intern and working in a variety of capacities, including ticket manager,” he recounted.
Returning to the region, he was hired at Lewisburg’s Carnegie Hall, where he worked in the marketing and sales. He later managed a bowling alley and worked as a manager at The Greenbrier for two years before returning to college.
“I wanted to do something for myself and, at the same time, help other people,” he noted. “My brother-in-law recommended radiologic technology because it was a fulfilling, secure career.”
Well respected by classmates and faculty in the program, Peters looks forward to graduation. “I want to stay in the region,” he said. As Bluefield State College participates in National Disability Employment Awareness Month activities throughout October, Jonas Peters’ “can do” attitude is uplifting to the College community and the region.
October 25, 2006
School of Nursing & Allied Health Website
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