Bluefield State College
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Bluefield State College (BSC) is a historically black college located in Bluefield, West Virginia. It is a part of West Virginia's public education system.
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[edit] History
According to its charter, the school was founded in 1895 as Bluefield Colored Institute and created as a high school for the Negro youth in the nearby area.1 It later served as a teacher training school in the state's then-segregated system of education.
The school has undergone these name changes:
Bluefield Colored Institute 1895-1932
Bluefield State Teachers College 1932-1943
Bluefield State College 1943-
In the late 1920s, the students and staff of the school referred to it as "Bluefield Institute"2, but this name was never sanctioned by the West Virginia legislature.
By September 1954, the state-supported colleges in West Virginia were integrated. Three white students in a total body of 354 enrolled at Bluefield State.
By the 1960's the College had a comprehensive four-year program of teacher education, arts and sciences, and engineering technology. Gradually a variety of two-year technical programs evolved in response to local needs.
On November 21, 1968 the gymnasium was bombed in an act of terrorism due to campus tensions. A $5,000 reward was offered by Governor Hulett C. Smith.
In 2003 the school's two year programs, except for those in nursing and engineering technology, were separated out from Bluefield State and became the foundation of the newly-formed New River Community and Technical College.3
[edit] Today
Bluefield State College has emerged as a culturally diverse, four-year state supported commuter college serving southeastern West Virginia and southwestern Virginia with a primary thrust in the direction of career and technical two and four year programs. The liberal arts offerings of the College are focused to enhance its unique mission.
The college offers baccalaureate and associate degrees. Instructional programs are offered in engineering technologies, business, teacher education, arts and sciences, nursing and health science professions, and a variety of career fields. Students may also complete the non-traditional Regents Bachelor of Arts degree through Bluefield State College. The college is also dedicated to offering a wide variety of off campus courses at centers in Beckley, Lewisburg, Summersville and Welch, West Virginia.
The school is the only non-residential four-year college in the state system. It administers the separately accredited New River Community and Technical College, which conducts classes throughout the southeastern part of West Virginia.
Bluefield State's athletic teams, known as the Big Blues, compete in NCAA Division II as a member of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The school is not connected in any way with Bluefield College in nearby Bluefield, Virginia.
[edit] References and Further Reading
1. Ambler, Charles H. (1951). A History of Education in West Virginia: From Early Colonial Times to 1949. Huntington, W.V.: Standard Printing & Publishing Company.
2. Sims, R.P. (March 1929). "Bluefield Institute". West Virginia Review.
3. New River Community and Technical College. College History…. Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
[edit] External links
West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | |
|---|---|
| Football | Charleston • Concord • Fairmont State • Glenville State • Shepherd • West Liberty State • West Virginia State • West Virginia Wesleyan |
| Non-football | Alderson–Broaddus • Bluefield State • Davis & Elkins • Ohio Valley • Salem International • Wheeling Jesuit |
