Bluefield University should not be confused with Bluefield State University.
| Bluefield University | |
| Former Names: | Bluefield College (1922–2021) |
| Motto: | Deus, Patria, Lux |
| Motto Lang: | Latin |
| Mottoeng: | God, Country, Light |
| Established: | 1922 |
| Type: | Private university |
| Religious Affiliation: | Baptist (Baptist General Association of Virginia) |
| President: | Steven Peterson |
| Students: | 912[1] |
| Undergrad: | 894 |
| Postgrad: | 16 |
| City: | Bluefield |
| State: | Virginia |
| Country: | United States |
| Colors: | Blue & Red[2] |
| Sporting Affiliations: | NAIA – Appalachian |
| Sports Nickname: | Rams |
| Mascot: | Victor E. Ram |
Bluefield University [3] is a private Baptist university in Bluefield, Virginia. It offers 22 majors and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The 82acres campus is about 150feet from the state line between Virginia and West Virginia. It is affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Bluefield University merged with Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine which is on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.[4]
Bluefield University was founded as Bluefield College in 1922 by the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV), after residents of Bluefield offered to donate land and start-up funds.[5] R.A. Landsdell became the first president in 1920, and the current administration building is named Landsdell Hall in his honor. At its founding, Bluefield was a two-year junior college. Future Nobel Prize winner John F. Nash took mathematics courses at the relatively new college while in high school. In his autobiography for the Nobel Foundation, he writes
Under Charles L. Harman, president from 1946 to 1971, the college built Easley Library, the dormitory Rish Hall, Harman Chapel, and a geodesic dome as the gymnasium.
In 1975, Bluefield reinvented itself as a four-year college, and during the 1989–1996 presidency of Roy A. Dobyns, student enrollment doubled to more than 800 students. In 1998, under the leadership of President Daniel G. MacMillan, the college cut tuition by over 20% and refocused its student recruitment on the local area.
In 2007 David W. Olive, was inaugurated as president.[6] Shortly thereafter, the college raised tuition by about 20%,[7] and announced a new strategic plan.[8]
During the centennial anniversary of Bluefield College, it achieved university status and became Bluefield University upon announcement from President David Olive at the President's Convocation on August 18, 2021.[9]
On July 19th, 2024, the university announced the appointment of Dr. Steve Peterson as its 10th president. Under Dr. Peterson's leadership, Bluefield University aims to continue its tradition of academic excellence while expanding its programs and enhancing its commitment to Christian values. His vision includes fostering a vibrant campus community, strengthening the university's outreach, and advancing strategic initiatives that align with the institution's mission.
Presidents of Bluefield University have included:[10]
| R. A. Lansdell | 1920–1926 | |
| J. Taylor Stinson | 1926–1927 | |
| Oscar E. Sams | 1927–1930 | |
| J. Taylor Stinson | 1930–1934 | |
| Edwin C. Wade | 1934–1946 | |
| Charles L. Harman | 1946–1971 | |
| Charles L. Tyer | 1972–1988 | |
| Gary N. Garner | 1988–1989 | |
| Roy A. Dobyns | 1989–1996 | |
| T. Keith Edwards | 1996–1997 | |
| Daniel G. MacMillan | 1997–2006 | |
| Charles Warren | 2006–2007 | |
| David W. Olive | 2007–2023 | |
| Michael Salmeier* | 2024 | |
| Steven Peterson | 2024–Present |
– interim presidents
Bluefield University's campus is located on 82 acres on the eastern edge of Bluefield, Virginia, facing the northern side of the East River Mountain.
The campus also features access to outdoor activities, including an on-campus nature trail.[11]
Bluefield University is organized into the following colleges:
See main article: Bluefield Rams.
The Bluefield athletic teams are called the Rams. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA),[13] primarily competing in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) for most of their sports since the 2014–15 academic year (which they were a member on a previous stint from 2001–02 to 2011–12);[14] while its football team competes in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) since the 2014 fall season. They were also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the Mid-East Region of the Division I level until after the 2019–20 school year to fully align with the NAIA.[15] The Rams previously competed in the Mid-South as a full member from 2012–13 to 2013–14. Athletes make up about 60% of the student population at Bluefield.[16] It serves as host for the NCAA Softball National Championship.[17]
Bluefield competes in 18 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track & field, volleyball and wrestling. Women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball; and co-ed sports compete in cheerleading. Former sports included women's golf. The school has won national championships in men's soccer and baseball.
The Bluefield Rams men's basketball team was often nationally ranked between 2007 and 2009 under head coach Jason Gillespie. In the 2008–09 season, the Rams won 27 games, including an 18–0 mark in AAC conference play and a regular season championship, but fell in the conference tournament to then-rival King University by one point, finishing the season ranked seventh in NAIA Division II. Guard/forward Omar Reed went on to play professionally with the San Antonio Spurs' NBA Development League affiliate, with the Boston Celtics organization, as well as internationally in Europe and Japan.[18]
The Bluefield Rams baseball team won its first NCCAA Division I national championship in 2009[19] and followed with a school-record 41 wins in 2010 before losing in the NCCAA World Series finals to North Greenville. In 2007 they were the NCCAA Mid-East Regional Champs, and made their fourth NCCAA World Series appearance in 2014. Current head coach Mike White has won over 200 games with Bluefield[20] and has sent multiple players to professional baseball. The Rams play their home games at Bowen Field., nine former Bluefield baseball players have gone on to play professionally.[21]
Bluefield fielded a football program from 1922 to 1941, but had not had a football program since the attack on Pearl Harbor.[22] On June 4, 2011, Bluefield University announced the return of a football program under head coach Mike Gravier, beginning with "club football" season in 2011, and began play in the NAIA in 2012.[23] The school hired Ordell Walker as the program's new head coach in 2013,[24] and the Rams earned their first win since the program's return with a 46–24 defeat of the Apprentice Builders in Newport News, Va., on September 13, 2014.[25] The Rams play their home games in 10,000-seat Mitchell Stadium.
Bluefield hired Coach Travis Yoder in 2014 to build a cross country and track and field program from ground zero. In his first year as head coach he had the schools first NCCAA national qualifier in school history (Kendall Haynes). After his first year Coach Travis Yoder left Bluefield. Bluefield then hired Coach Kendall Haynes to Coach cross country and is now building a track and field program as well. During Coach Haynes's first year in 2017 he had the schools first girls NCCAA national qualifiers in school history (Kenize Marshall and Jordyn O'Saben).