BLUEFIELD, Va. — One hundred twenty-nine Bluefield College seniors accepted diplomas May 15 during the school’s 87th annual spring commencement, which also featured remarks from Virginia Secretary of Education Gerard Robinson and the presentation of three distinguished awards.
Honored as BC’s exceptional professor for the 2009-2010 academic year, Donna Watson, chair of the Division of Education, received the school’s Wampler Caudill Distinguished Faculty Award for her “Christian character” and “classroom excellence.”
In like fashion, graduating senior George T. Glazner of Chesapeake, Va., received the school’s Wampler Caudill Outstanding Student Award, recognizing the most outstanding student from the inSpire Degree Completion Program. In addition to his classroom excellence, Glazner was acknowledged for his church leadership and his commitment to the values of truth and equality.
During the commencement ceremony, the college also recognized Daniel E. Grabeel with an honorary doctor of science degree. Grabeel, a longtime dentist in Lynchburg, Va., attended Bluefield College for two years from 1953 to 1955, but never received a degree from the school. However, Grabeel has served 28 years as a member of the school’s board of trustees, including six consecutive years as chair. His service to the school also includes a tenure as president of the Alumni Association and chairman of the Lynchburg portion of BC’s 75th Anniversary Campaign.
Secretary Robinson spoke about the value of Christian education and the importance of the graduating seniors fulfilling a Christian mission, regardless of their career path. Speaking at his first college commencement since becoming Virginia’s Secretary of Education, Robinson told the BC graduates that they not only have a degree, but also a decree.
“As you leave this campus today, you take with you not only a degree from Bluefield College, but a decree,” said Robinson, “to go out into the world and do great things. Make sure you take your Christ-centered education with you in whatever career you pursue.”