BLUEFIELD, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Bluefield State’s Class of 2023 will forever enjoy the distinction of being the first students to graduate from Bluefield State University.
The institution officially became a university last July, and this year’s history-making class celebrated the milestone achievement of their graduation during the Institution’s 126th Commencement program on April 29 at Mitchell Stadium in Bluefield. Degrees were conferred to 216 students.
Following the processional and the PikeView High School JROTC cadets’ posting of the colors, BSU President Robin Capehart congratulated this year’s graduating class, their families, BSU faculty and staff, Bluefield State alumni, and friends.
Speakers included the Reverend Garry Moore, BSU Chancellor, and Dr. Ted Lewis, the University’s Provost, who saluted the Class of ‘23 for its collective commitment to excellence, academic achievement, and service.
Marissa Stowers (Elementary Education) is the University’s Valedictorian, and Ashley Fleeman (Imaging Science) is the Salutatorian.
Each of the University’s four academic schools designated a flag bearer (the academic school’s graduating student with the highest GPA (excluding valedictorian and salutatorian) to lead their school’s graduates in the processional.
The flag bearers were Amanda Bradley, (W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business), Brittany Crigger (School of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences), Jared Parnell (School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), and Katelyn Hamm (School of Nursing & Allied Health).
The BSC class of 2023 included graduates from seven states, five foreign countries, and ten military veterans. Graduates range in age from19 to 68. Two hundred forty-three degrees were conferred.
Class of ’23 graduate Adam Grygiel received the “Brian Delp Service Leadership Award.” The honoree is a Mount View High School graduate and Computer Science major.
He is President of the BSU chapter of Gamma Beta Phi Honor Honors and Service Society and has assisted in collections for a S.A.F.E. House, water collection for the Town of Gary, WV and American Red Cross Blood Drives.
Additionally, seven Class of 1973 Bluefield State alumni (William Cullen Burke, Robert G. Ferguson, Clinton A. Henry, MS, Charles Thomas Robertson, Sr., Stanley M. Rose, Sr., Deborah Singleton, and Sandra M. Collins) were in attendance to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation.
