BSC's September Activities Report

Campus Activities

• College was notified that BSC associate degree nursing program's 1998 graduates have achieved a 97% passage rate on the National Council Licensure Exam-Computer Adaptive Testing (NCLEX-CAT). Successful completion of this examination allows the graduate to apply for licensure as a registered nurse.

• Bluefield State College's Nursing program commemorates 30 years of nursing education at BSC when the College hosts a Nursing Conference, October 5. The conference, entitled "The BSC Nursing Program Looks Toward The Millennium," features Barbara Banonis (RN, MSN), whose keynote address will focus upon "A Vision for Nursing." Banonis is president of the West Virginia Nurses Association. The conference recognizes the 30th anniversary of BSC's first nursing graduating class, the 20th anniversary of the first nursing graduating class at BSC's Beckley campus, and the tenth anniversary of the first graduating class in the BSC Baccalaureate nursing program.

• The Honorable W. Wilson Goode, Deputy Assistant Secretary/U.S. Department of Education, has agreed to speak at Bluefield State College during the "Campus Week of Dialogue" on race and diversity, October 6. Dr. Edward Fort, Chancellor Emeritus of North Carolina A&T University and a member of the NAFEO Board of Directors, will also speak at BSC during the "Campus Week of Dialogue," Oct. 7.

• BSC graduate Alan McBride, President and C.E.O. of Dawes Transportation, Inc. (a Milwaukee-based long haul trucking company, one of the largest carriers in the U.S.) met with Bluefield State College Business Division students and faculty as the third participant in the College's "Executive in Residence" program, September 23-24.

• Bluefield State College will host a two-day "Multicultural & International Festival," Oct. 20-21 at the Bluefield campus of BSC. The event is designed to promote cultural diversity

• Former West Virginia State and South Carolina State football coach Oree Banks presented a "Drug & Alcohol Awareness Seminar, at Bluefield State College's Basic Science Auditorium, September 21. Banks' presentation was sponsored by BSC, in conjunction with the NCAA's Sports-Science Speaker Grant program.

• Nearly 30 BSC alumni attended and participated in the "First Leadership Retreat" of the BSC Alumni Association (BSCAA), Inc., held on the West Virginia State College campus. This marked the initial leadership and planning retreat of the BSCAA and attracted alumni members from major cities across the country.

• Ruritan National and the Ruritan National Foundation completed a new partnership arrangement with Bluefield State College. BSC will now match Ruritan National Foundation scholarship funds that are awarded to Bluefield State College students. This partnership means that, if a Ruritan civic club selects a student who competes successfully for a Ruritan National scholarship grant, meets BSC's admission requirements, and is enrolled at Bluefield State College, a matching grant will be provided by the College.

• Participated with institutional and student exhibits and faculty-taught computer workshops during the annual Mercer County Technology Expo

• More than 1 00 BSC students, faculty, and staff volunteered to assist with registration at the Bluefield Coal Show, sponsored by the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce

• Bluefield State College Director of Financial Aid will attend the annual Midwestern Association Financial Aid Administrators Conference, Oct. 3-6 in Cleveland, OH.

• BSC staff librarian will begin a one-year term in October as Chair of the West Virginia Library Association's College & University Library Section. She was elected to the position after serving as director of the organization's "Social Responsibilities Roundtable" this year. As new chair of the College & University Library Section of the West Virginia Library Association (WVLA), she will serve as panel discussion facilitator at the organization's October conference in Shepherdstown.

• BSC's Registrar and Director of Institutional Research will begin a one- year term as president of the West Virginia Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers (WVACRAO) at the organization's October 6-7 meeting in Parkersburg.

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

• BSC's Director of Multicultural Affairs met with numerous community, public schools, alumni, church, and civic organizations, with a focus on recruitment of minority students, faculty, and staff, and improving community relations

• Bluefield State College aquaculture professor delivered an invited lecture, "Commercial Aquaculture Development" at Jomo Kenyafta University in Nairobi, Kenya. She also toured the University's aquaculture facilities and met with government officials and with faculty involved in fisheries development.

• The West Virginia Society of Washington, DC has entered into a "Book Scholarship Agreement" with the BSC Foundation. The WV Society of presented to BSC a $5000 check, an amount that will be matched by $5000 from the BSC Foundation to assist in defraying the educational costs of selected BSC students by providing monetary support (not to exceed $500 per scholarship) to offset the estimated cost of textbooks required for one year.
  BSC Center for Economic Enhancement Activities:

• BSC organized and hosted a Cisco Business and Industry Training Program, with the following organizations participating: Pocahontas Land Corporation (Bluefield, WV), Bluefield Regional Medical Center (Bluefield, WV), First Century Bank (Bluefield, WV), First Community Bank (Bluefield, WV), Turner Vision (Bluefield, WV) and Avalon Computers (Welch, WV).

• Coordinating continued development of work instructions for B.F. Goodrich Aerospace (Union, WV). Using the talents of BSC Engineering Technology student interns, work instructions that can serve as training materials are being developed for the entire product line of aircraft deicing units. Three students are currently participating in this program. (The activity is sponsored through the Governor's Guaranteed Workforce Program.)

• Completed initial draft of a training task list for DS Parts, Inc. (Bluefield, WV). The project is designed to demonstrate the training value of developing structured job training materials as a means of increasing productivity. If the company is pleased with project results, a larger effort will focus upon developing training materials for critical processes within the company. Project partner is the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and Development. (The activity is sponsored through the Governor's Guaranteed Workforce Program.)

• Completed development of structured job training materials for Triple S Corporation (Beckley, WV). Working as a partner and subcontractor for the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and Development, the Center for Economic Enhancement developed a structured training manual for the firm's shipping department. The firm has officially approved the materials and adopted them for use as part of their internal training program. Project partner is the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and Development. (This project is sponsored through the Governor's Guaranteed Workforce Training program.)

• Completed customized computer training schedule for more than 60 employees of Flowers Baking Products, Inc. (Bluefield, WV). Classes have started for the following departments: sales, production, engineering & maintenance, sanitation, and administration.

• Began customized computer training for employees of Appalachian by Design (Lewisburg, WV). The Center has worked with the company to apply for assistance from the WV Small Business Workforce Program.

• Working to develop customized management and computer training programs for a consortium of small bed & breakfast owners who are members of the Southern WV Convention & Visitors Bureau. A training contract based upon a Center proposal has been approved by the WV Small Business Workforce Program, and assessments with all participants are now taking place.

• Developing customized computer training programs for Marshall Miller & Associates (Bluefield, VA), and for Pocahontas Land Corporation (Bluefield, WV)

• Developing a customized hospitality industry training program for The Greenbrier Hotel (White Sulphur Springs, WV)

• Completed initial launch of a Pre-Employment Training Network for Manufacturing, with the following organizations participating: Superior Manufacturing Services (Beckley, WV), Custom Manufacturing Services (Princeton, WV), and Flowers Baking Products (Bluefield, WV).

• Completed additional partnership meetings with RESA I to explore providing ongoing pre-employment training throughout the service region of Bluefield State College in an effort to build a stronger workforce

• Completed District Consortia meetings in Bluefield, Lewisburg, and Beckley, WV

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