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W
hen
the 2015-2016
academic year began at
Bluefield College, it did so without
a vital “beacon of academic excellence.”
When faculty and staff returned to campus, they did
so in the absence of “a beloved friend,” who “inspired [them]
to be a better teacher.” And when students walked back in the
classroom, they did so without the professor most devoted to
their academic success, Dr. Wayne Massey, who retired from BC
after 27 years of service.
A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Dr. Massey came to Bluefield College
first as a student in 1957. He studied business administration,
while serving as a member of Future Business Leaders of America
and a sports reporter for the student newspaper.
“My preparation in business courses was quite good and
prepared me well for my further studies at Virginia Tech,”
said Dr. Massey. “Mostly, however, long-term, even life-long
friendships were formed right here at BC, and the foundation for
Christian living was made firm through Bluefield College, where
Christ is pre-eminent.”
After earning an associate’s degree from Bluefield in 1959 and
a bachelor’s degree in business from Virginia Tech, Dr. Massey
decided to study English. He earned a master’s degree in English
from Western Carolina University and a Ph.D. in English from Ball
State
University,
and the rest, as they
say, is history as Dr. Massey
embarked upon an impressive and
influential calling to teach that lasted 54 years.
“Teaching is all about helping others learn,” said Dr. Massey
about the profession he dedicated more than half a century to.
“When I served wisely and willingly, the glory went to God, and
for this I am grateful. In all things, to Him be the glory.”
He taught first at Woodlawn Academy, a private school in
Chatham, Virginia, where he also served 12 years as headmaster.
From there, he spent three years teaching English at Danville,
Martinsville and Lynchburg community colleges in Virginia,
before returning to his alma mater in 1988.
“Bluefield College was the place where my heart belonged,” said
Dr. Massey about coming back to BC to teach, “and when I was
allowed to return in 1988, I realized that I had come full circle.
God brought me to the place where I most needed to be when
He brought me to Bluefield and to the profession where I could
best serve Him.”
During his 27 years on faculty at Bluefield, Dr. Massey served
as an assistant professor, then associate professor, and finally
professor of English. Outside of the classroom, he was director of
“Bluefield College was
the place where my
heart belonged.”
—Dr. Wayne Massey