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Students are enjoying new classroom designs and technology
improvements in Lansdell Hall and the Science Center. Two
Lansdell classrooms were updated with SMART Board technology,
including LED SMART Boards and mini computers that allow
contributions from anywhere on any device further increasing
interaction between students and teachers. In the Science Center
(pictured), biology students are benefitting from the purchase of
new microscopes, a digital camera for one of the scopes, and a
flat panel screen to go with the camera to enhance the teaching
and learning experience. The digital camera also allows students
to take high definition pictures of microorganisms. Read more at
One hundred eleven Bluefield College seniors received
diplomas during the school’s 25th Annual Winter
Commencement, December 10, including distinguished
graduates John Crowder, an online criminal justice student
from Christiansburg, Virginia, and Abigayle Peck, a traditional
teacher education student from Jacksonville, North Carolina,
who spoke on behalf of the class of 2016. The program also
featured a keynote address from President David Olive who
was honored with the dedication of a new ceremonial mace for
his 10 years of service to BC. For complete coverage of Winter
Commencement, including dozens of photos and a list of
graduates, visit
Continuing to expand its academic offerings to meet the needs
of students, Bluefield College launched a new online master’s
degree program in nursing (MSN) in January. The new MSN
comes just five years after the college began a bachelor’s degree
program in nursing (RN-to-BSN) and features concentrations
in family nurse practitioner and leadership/education. Created
for working registered nurses, the program is predominantly
online with limited on campus study and time in a state-of-the-
art simulation center at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg through
a partnership with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic
Medicine. Learn more about the MSN at .
In December 2016, Bluefield College’s Teacher Education
Program received reaccreditation for seven years from the
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
The CAEP accreditation is based on the quality principles
of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC),
which supports the preparation of competent, caring and
qualified professional educators through an evidence-based
accreditation process. This academic year, BC graduated
six competent, caring student-teachers in the fall and eight
(pictured) in the spring. Read more about the reaffirmation of
accreditation at .