More than 350 Degrees Awarded
During BSC’s 2007 Commencement

(Bluefield)--More than 350 degrees were conferred during Bluefield State College’s 110th commencement exercises at the Brushfork Armory, May 12. Nearly 3000 people attended the program.

Dr. Bruce Flack, Director of Academic Affairs and Vice Chancellor for State Colleges of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission provided the keynote address. He challenged and encouraged the Class of 2007. “Living a good life involves equal measures of work, play, love, and friendship,” he noted. “The key is balance. Also, remember to thank those who helped you reach this point in your lives today.”

The audience of family members and friends of graduates and community residents also received greetings from Walker, BSC Board of Governors' vice chairman Jeffrey Forlines, BSC Alumni Association President Dr. Joseph F. Lewis, BSC Student Government Vice President Kevin Pruitt, Faculty Senate Chair Assistant Professor Angela Baldwin, and Staff Council Chair Carol Baldwin.

Joseph Kevin Kessler, II (Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology) and Kristin Renee Youther (Bachelor’s degree in Nursing) were named co-valedictorians with grade point averages of 3.99. Both are Princeton, WV residents. Connie F. McNeill (Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration) of Bluefield, WV was the Class of 2007’s salutatorian (GPA—3.94).

Dr. Robert N. Riggins, was named the "Bluefield State College Foundation Outstanding Faculty Award" recipient for 2007, and BSC senior Mychal Guyton was selected to receive the "Brian Delp Service Leadership Award."

Three members of the BSC Class of 1957 returned to their alma mater to participate in the program on the golden anniversary of their graduation. BSC Alumni Association President Dr. Joseph Lewis, also administered the alumni oath to all members of the graduating class of 2007, providing each new graduate with a complementary membership to the Alumni Association for the year.

May 14, 2007