Mike Bandy has spent years helping others learn both in and out of the classroom. As a professor at Bluefield University, Bandy uses his experience in accounting and coaching to help students prepare for life after college.

Bandy has always enjoyed teaching others. He runs his own certified public accountant (CPA) practice, which he has operated since 2001, where he helps clients with their businesses. He also coached soccer earlier in his life and believes coaching is another form of teaching.

“I’ve been drawn to passing on information that I know to someone else,” Bandy said.

When the opportunity to teach at BU came along in 2018, Bandy said it was “a blessing from God.” Since then, he has enjoyed helping students grow throughout their college careers and watching them succeed after graduation.

Graham High School (GHS) students planning to attend Bluefield University now have a new scholarship opportunity that could help with the cost of college.

BU trustee Jack Reasor and his wife Cindy recently established the Reasor Family Graham High School Scholarship for graduates who choose to attend Bluefield University. According to the BU website, the scholarship is available for GHS students who enroll in on-campus BU classes during the fall semester, beginning with the GHS class of 2026.

Bryan Worrall, Bluefield University’s vice president for advancement, said students can continue receiving the scholarship throughout their undergraduate careers if funding is available and they remain in good academic standing. The scholarship is specifically for tuition, and the amount will depend on the number of eligible students and the growth of the endowed fund.

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.