Dr. Cindy Bascom: A Spiritual Inspiration to All

Photos by Rampage photographer Nathan LePere.

There are many ways to describe a person of faith. You must be dedicated, kind, gracious, hopeful, accepting, and truthful. Bluefield University’s Dr. Cindy Bascom is all that. And if you spend much time with her, you might even add to the description a beautiful smile in your heart and on your face because that’s something else Dr. Bascom always has.

Dr. Bascom is a longtime professor of communication at Bluefield University who will be retiring at the end of the 2021-2022 academic year. Above all, she says she is a Christian woman who loves to demonstrate her faith by singing in the church choir and making a difference in students’ lives.

“I am a strong Christian woman who prays for her students daily before class starts,” Dr. Bascom said. “I’m a professor who mentors students who want to drop out of college.”

Daniel Mullins is one of Dr. Bascom’s students. He said she is “patient and dedicated” to the academic and future success of students. Other students agreed, adding that she also makes learning fun.

“Dr. Bascom’s classes were always fun and engaging,” student Natalie Burgess said. “You could learn a lot in a short period from being in her class.”

Dr. Bascom began her teaching career at Bluefield University 17 years ago, and she said she has loved every minute of it. In fact, she claims “Bluefield University saved my life when they hired me,” but little did the university know at the time just how much of an impact she was going to make on students and faculty.

“Dr. Bascom serves Bluefield University students with a deep sense of commitment to excellence in oral communication,” said Dr. Marshall Flowers, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “She mentors her advisees with a quest for developing the whole person intellectually, socially, and spiritually. Her students are often campus leaders in athletics, in SGA and The Rampage. Dr. Bascom exemplifies a contagious spirit, a commitment to Christ, and a compassion for others.”

During her 17 years with BU, Dr. Bascom has served as a professor and chair of the Department of Communication. She created the current Communication major with three concentrations. She is also co-creator of the Graphic Communication major and founder of the American Sign Language program. In addition, as a result of her love for traveling, she has participated in the China faculty exchange program and a Salzburg (Austria) Global Seminar. And while Bluefield has played a part in some of her travels, she has taken many personal trips around the world to India, Hong Kong, Cuba, China, the Philippines, Austria, Costa Rico, Singapore, and Thailand.

“I want to take a train ride through the Canadian Rockies,” said Dr. Bascom about her travel plans once she retires. “I want to work in my garden and visit my elderly parents more often.”

Dr. Bascom’s tenure at Bluefield also includes the creation of the Valena May Parson’s Scholarship for Communication students. In addition, she was named Educator of the Year by BU students in 2005-2006, won the Distinguished Faculty Award in 2011, and was named an Honorary Alumna in 2020.

“I could not believe I was voted Outstanding Faculty member by the student body,” said a tearful Dr. Bascom about her 2006 honor. She also noted that year was a very emotional time for her.

Before Bluefield University, Dr. Bascom worked in an even more creative position. She made puppets and stuffed animals for young kids, including the famous Kermit the Frog and his amazing character friends from the television show The Muppets. While living in New York City, she designed the gang of monsters that sang background to a Kermit the Frog special Easter presentation.

“Cindy is one of the sweetest, nicest and genuine persons I have ever met,” said Mily Lusk, a close friend of Dr. Bascom’s. “She welcomed me to Bluefield and to the church family by having a tea party for me to get to know everyone. I know if I need anything that she is there for me. She is an awesome friend with a beautiful voice like an angel. She loves her students, and it is important that they actually learn.”

Dr. Bascom holds a master of business administration (MBA) degree from Ohio State University, where she also taught for two years while earning her MBA. Because she’s love her time at Bluefield so much she said she anticipates that retiring might be difficult.

“This is the best job I have ever had,” she said. “Playing a part in the student body formation helps them realize that there is a purpose in life for them.”

She said she also enjoyed the fact that students at Bluefield University appreciated getting to know the faculty. That, she added, helped make mentoring them easier. In fact, she was well known for having students visit her at home to show them how much she appreciated them. Above all, she said she is thankful for the opportunity she’s had to instill in students lessons and values that will be a part of their lives forever.

“My mission is to inspire and equip my students to have a kind heart, a courageous mind, and a purposeful soul,” Dr. Bascom said. “Be bold; be strong; have faith. God is very near. Don’t give in to fear. Let go of doubt; with hope step out. Be bold, strong; have faith.”

• Rebecca Kasey, Former student and current BU director of marketing and public relations

  “Dr. Bascom is one of my favorite people, and I would not be where I am today without her support. She will be missed.”

• Jacob Keys, Former student and current BU associate vice president for advancement

  “Dr. Bascom was able to bring excitement to the classroom which made learning fun.”

• Shirley Mutter, BU controller

  “Dr. Bascom is the most quiet but get things done person I have ever known. She is one of the joys of working at Bluefield University.”

Video by Rampage editor Daniel Mullins.