More than 80 years ago, a group of men from Bluefield traveled to
Bristol, Virginia, to appear before a committee of the Baptist General
Association of Virginia (BGAV) to persuade the BGAV to build its new
proposed college in Bluefield. The result: the establishment of Bluefield
College in 1922 and the beginning of Christian higher education in
southwestern Virginia.
On Wednesday, April 3, Bluefield College will recognize the efforts of
those men and the many other founders and leaders who have contributed to
the heritage of the school during a Founders¹ Day celebration in Harman
Chapel. Beginning at 10 a.m., Bluefield College faculty, staff, alumni,
trustees, current students and members of the community will join together
in a program designed to recognize BC founders and to celebrate the history
of the school. The program will feature a pictorial presentation of the
history of Bluefield College and the Biblical drama of Rev. Norm Arrington.
Arrington, a 1959 BC alumnus, is a former pastor of Lilly Grove Baptist
Church in Princeton, West Virginia, and past secretary of the Princeton
Ministerial Association. He is now a Biblical dramatist who will present
some of his creative ministry to BC for Founders’ Day.
The tradition of Founders’ Day at Bluefield College began in November
1988. The purpose of the development of the program was to “celebrate BC’s
rich tradition and to honor its founders.” Dr. John Tresch, professor of
history, presided over the ceremony, and David Armbrister, former BC student
and professor and now the college historian, was the guest speaker for the
inaugural Founders’ Day.
“Founders’ Day has become increasingly meaningful with the passage of
time,” Armbrister said, “not only to those of us who have served the
college, but as an avenue for providing the students insight into the
history of the institution and, hopefully, a greater appreciation for it.”
Local residents are encouraged to come and be a part of the Bluefield
College Founders’ Day celebration. The program will begin at 10 a.m. in
Harman Chapel. For more information, please call the BC Office of Public
Relations at 276-326-4212.
