Pinned
English • 2027
In August, Rilla Cooper joined the inaugural class of BU’s online doctorate in education. She is one of five Bluefield employees and 21 total students enrolled in the first course of the Doctor of Education (EdD) program this semester.
“It’s one of the few programs I feel like I could do a doctoral level program and work full-time and have kids full-time and do it all together,” said Cooper, who serves as director of student success. She also teaches University Foundations classes, which replaced Career Pathways.
Bluefield University was approved as a level five institution in June, which allows it to offer up to three doctoral programs. Currently, the university offers the EdD Cooper is working toward, as well as a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). Dr. Shellie Brown, who founded and teaches in the EdD program, said working toward doctoral programs was the primary motivation for Bluefield College changing its name to university in 2021.
undecided • 2030
Bluefield University recently launched its first-ever doctoral programs: a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with seven concentrations and a Doctor of Education (EdD) with three concentrations.
According to the Bluefield University website, BU has integrated a wide variety of new doctoral programs that will help workers boost their average salary by $22,776. The doctoral programs in business include seven concentrations in finance, health informatics, healthcare management, human resources, justice administration, leadership, and sports management.
“Bluefield University having doctoral programs opens up the university to offer even more programs to help students reach their goals [and] enables the university to have degrees at all three levels [bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral],” said Dr. Shellie Brown, founding director of the EdD program.
Graphic Communication • 2030
For many college students, graduation means saying goodbye to the campus that has been a huge part of their lives for years. However, for two Bluefield University alumnae, graduation didn’t mean leaving behind BU. Instead, it meant returning to campus in new roles.
For Abbie Justis and Elle Gunter, their journeys at BU have come full circle as they have gone from students to staff members. Although their paths to BU were different, both found opportunities at the university that encouraged them to stay after graduation.
For Gunter, Bluefield has always felt like home. When she was looking to transfer from her previous school, BU was willing to work with her even though she was transferring in late. While convenience played a part in her decision, her experience at BU quickly became about much more than just that.
Communications- Modern Media • 2030
Savannah Riley is a junior from Abingdon, Virginia, who is making holes-in-one and serving others for Christ at Bluefield University.
As a member of the BU golf team, Riley’s athleticism stands out on the course, and as a member of Student Ministries and a Christian studies major, her faith shines in the classroom and around campus. However, coming to Bluefield she admits is not something she ever thought she’d do, but not that she’s here she said it feels like home.
“Coming to Bluefield was a Lord moment,” Riley said. “I never pictured Bluefield being the place I would call my home away from home until I stepped foot on campus. It felt like a true family and that is the main reason I’m here today. The community and the mountains feel like home. The family makes it home away from home.”
Theatre and Digital Marketing • 2027
The music department at Bluefield University experienced some changes this year when Dr. Andy Necessary retired over the summer. Dr. Necessary was a beloved professor at Bluefield for many years who brought much joy through his passion for music and his students.
“Dr. Necessary always made sure everyone felt at home. His band was like a second family to him. Even when we were small in numbers, we were never small at heart. He encouraged every one of us to not only play with confidence but to carry that confidence to serve our university and the community no matter what we did,” said John Thompson, a previous student of Dr. Necessary.
While Dr. Necessary will be greatly missed, BU is excited to welcome Dr. Carl Hess as director of bands and assistant professor of music. He is very excited to implement new changes and shows for the band. Dr. Hess attended Graham High School and has a great passion for the community in the Bluefield area.
Theatre and Digital Marketing • 2027
On Saturday, September 12, I had the privilege of attending Culturefest, the Mercer County Grassroot District’s annual festival celebrating music, arts, and community. Presented by the Princeton-based nonprofit RiffRaff Arts Collective, this free festival brought storytelling and cultural experiences into the community. Culturefest featured over 30 music and dance performers, unique artisan and retail vendors, workshops, children’s activities, healing arts, and opportunities to explore the vibrant venues and businesses throughout the downtown district of Princeton, West Virginia.
The festival featured artists and performers ranging from internationally to locally known groups with music styles including Appalachian folk, African drumming, world fusion, soul, and so much more.
While attending the event, I spoke with Lori McKinney, the event’s organizer, who said that Culturefest has “a lot of intention behind it.” She said that the event is about “creating a space for human connection through music and art.”
Psychology • 2027
The women’s volleyball team, led by Head Coach Keven John and Assistant Kyle Pietrzak, have set their standards high and are ready to take the team further than last year.
The Lady Rams have brought some key players back, but Coach John has also been busy bringing in new talent to add strength, height, and depth to the team.
Luckily for the Rams, some incredibly talented players like Morgan Wigg, from Willow River, Minnesota, and Sienna Vitelli, from San Jacinto, California, have returned. The returning star, Wigg, was named Second Team All-Conference for the Appalachian Athletic Account (AAC) last year, scoring 236 kills, averaging 2.62 kills per set, and posting a .211 hitting percentage over the 2025 season.
Magazine Rack
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November 2025
Issue 25 • December 11
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- Changes to Academic Calendar
- Turning Point USA
- Campus Security with Gary Ruth