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luefield College’s New Opportunity School for Women
(NOSW) is bringing newfound hope to disadvantaged
women from Appalachia. In its fifth year of operation,
the NOSW has helped dozens of women in poverty or some other
financial or personal predicament confront their circumstances,
overcome their conditions, and pave the way for a new and better life.
But, the New Opportunity School for Women could not function
and the lives of these women would not have been changed
without the support of NOSW donors like Dr. Donald W. Caudill.
“Don is a great example of service and mentorship,” said Ruth
Blankenship, vice president for advancement at Bluefield College
and a member of the NOSW Board of Directors. “He’s a strong
Christian, a successful businessman, and a man of character.
He has a long history of supporting Bluefield College, and the
New Opportunity School for Women is one of his most greatest
passions.”
A native of Norton, Virginia, who lived in Bluefield, Virginia, for
12 years, Dr. Caudill understands poverty, said Amanda Wood
Williams, who worked with Dr. Caudill at Gardner-Webb University
in North Carolina, where he has taught since 2008. Born in the
geographic center of the Appalachian Mountains to parents who
worked long hours for minimum wage, Dr. Caudill was determined
to be the first in his family to attend college.
“The only way out [of poverty] is education,” said Dr. Caudill.
“Because when you learn to do something, you can make money.
You just have to be creative in how you apply your knowledge.”
Professor Don Caudill Sees
Having overcome obstacles
to achieve success, himself,
Dr. Don Caudill makes it
possible for disadvantaged
women from southwest Virginia
to find hope through the New
Opportunity School for
Women at Bluefield College.
Opportunity in
Adversity