In February, 1895, Senator William M. Mahood sponsored a bill calling for the creation of what is now Bluefield State College. One year later, the educational institution created by that act of the legislature welcomed its first students.

For one hundred years, Bluefield State College has been focused upon providing quality education in southern West Virginia. Our "Centennial Celebration" has furnished a highly-visible platform to look back at the accomplishments of our first century, then look to the opportunities and challenges that are ahead. Our centennial theme, "Strong Past, Dynamic Future," captures this very appropriate message.

The history of Bluefield State College is the heroic story of remarkable achievement in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The legacy of Bluefield State provides an inspiration and a challenge to those who follow.

The creation of Bluefield State College was the product of hard work by citizens of southern West Virginia who envisioned better educational services for African-Americans in the region. The dire need for coal miners created a huge population of black Americans who migrated into America's last frontier wilderness.

To serve the racially segregated public schools in the coal camps, progressive citizens of both races worked together to establish Bluefield Colored Institute, a "high graded school for Negroes," in 1895. The new school, assisted by the federal Morrill Act, was to be located on four acres on the north side of the Norfolk and Western Railway's massive Pocahontas Division railyards in Bluefield, a central location within 100 miles of 70% of West Virginia's black citizens.

Bluefield Colored Institute began modestly with 40 pupils under the supervision of Hamilton Hatter, Bluefield State's first president, although he was denied the prestigious title, instead serving as "principal." Hatter oversaw the construction of Mahood Hall, the administrative building, as well as Lewis Hall and West Hall dormitories. Hatter was an energetic leader who built the foundation of the College. He faced enormous challenges, running the institution with no legislative appropriations whatsoever for two years.

In 1906, Hatter handed the reins of leadership at BCI to Robert P. Sims, a graduate of Hillsdale College, who would lead Bluefield State for three crucial decades. Sims showed dedication, commitment, and prudent management in his lengthy tenure at Bluefield State. By adopting formal teacher training--"normal education"--in 1909, Sims created the great role that Bluefield State would play, educating educators to carry traditions of excellence throughout the bustling coalfields, fulfilling the mission of its enabling legislation.

Enrollment climbed to 235 by 1920, with annual summer sessions for teacher certification attracting hundreds more. With efficient professional management and careful supervision, the College prospered, expanding to 23 acres, adding Payne Hall and colonnaded Conley Hall, faculty residences, and the stately President's House. Enrollment soon exceeded six hundred, many of whom lived on the close-knit campus, termed the "terraced hills" for its verdant landscaping. Grateful graduates created the Alumni Association to rekindle collegiate memories and support programs of the institution. BSC students achieved notable distinction in a wide variety of fields.

Sims and his successor, Academic Dean and BCI alumnus Henry Dickason, president from 1936-1952, managed this growth with patience and resourcefulness. Bluefield State Teachers College, as the institution was renamed in 1931, was at the center of the rich cultural world of African-American society. Although the rough and tumble bituminous coalfields were far from the urban and sophisticated east coast, Sims and Dickason managed to involve their college heavily in the explosion of black American culture known as the "Harlem Renaissance," bringing Langston Hughes to read poetry, John Hope Franklin to teach Negro History, and even heavyweight chamion Joe Louis to box exhibitions in Arter Gymnasium. Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Dizzie Gillespie, and Count Basie entertained the active Greek-letter fraternities and sororities. Bluefield State's "Big Blue" football team twice won national Negro College Athletic Association championships in the late 1920s.

A 1929 survey of the 702 alumni of Bluefield State demonstrated the college's wide-ranging influence. There were no fewer than 326 school teachers, among dozens of administrators, physicians, pharmacists, ministers, businessmen and homemakers. The name "Bluefield State College" was adopted in 1943. After a half-century of inadequate salaries, extreme sacrifice, and passionate dedication, Bluefield State was finally awarded full academic accreditation in 1947, rewarding the institution's measured progress.

Change again visited Bluefield State College. The 1954 Brown v. Topeka (Kansas) Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court decision declared racially segregated public education unconstitutional. Soon, white students seeking high quality, low cost, fully accredited higher education opportunities began to attend classes at Bluefield State. By 1921, 40% of the 643 undergraduates were European-Americans. By 1965, a majority of the 1,116 undergraduates were white. Certainly, change was again occurring.

Many factors affected the college's transition, most importantly the loss of mining jobs as the coal industry rapidly mechanized. This shift in the racial demography of southern West Virginia subtly altered the role of Bluefield State. Soon, curricular change and personnel policies demonstrated the creation of new academic needs such as engineering technology and business administration.

However, tensions mounted in the wake of the school's desegregation. The closing of dormitories and the cancellation of the football program created alumni concern. Campus unrest involved meetings, protests, and finally the 1968 bombing of campus buildings.

The early 1970s at Bluefield State saw five presidents in five years, as well as the temporary "coordinate relationship" with Concord College. Stability returned with the 10-year presidency of Jerold Dugger, when the college embarked upon the largest growth in its history. Under the subsequent presidencies of Gregory Adkins and Robert Moore, enrollment has grown to a peak of nearly 3,0000 and a record 637 graduates matriculated from the college in 1993.

Programming curricula broadened as well, adding advanced technology, instructional media capabilities, satellite conference facilities, continuing education courses, and increased involvement in the regional business community. Today, the college continues to meet the educational needs of the region with state-of-the-art curricula and innovative programming like the Center of International Understanding, computer science and a leadership role in developing a four-county Tech Prep initiative. For the past eight years, funding through the federal Title III/BRACE program has permitted very significant growth and an augmentation of service rendered by Bluefield State College. The Bluefield State College Foundation has raised record sums from the area's industrial base. Cultural awareness seminars help to revive the school's storied past, and Bluefield State has established a College Archives to collect and preserve the traditions of the institution.