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.
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.
Communications & Criminal Justice • 2028
Dr. Jason Craig began serving as Bluefield University’s newest provost on July 7, 2026. Dr. Craig brings experience in a myriad of areas including physical therapy, along with years of background in higher education as a student, professor, and senior academic leader. Since beginning at Bluefield University, Dr. Craig has brought new ideas and helped spur progress at our very own “lighthouse on the hill.”
Dr. Craig, who originally is from America, grew up and received his education in Northern Ireland. After earning his bachelor’s in physical therapy, he went straight to earning his research-based PhD through the same university, the University of Ulster. After around four and a half years of research, Dr. Craig earned his PhD and began teaching at his alma mater.
Communications & Criminal Justice • 2028
Dr. Jason Craig, the new provost at BU, has helped to implement policies and changes at the university while highlighting the student experience and caring for our student body. Dr. Craig dove headfirst into his new role and has plans for further action.
Rilla Copper, director of student success, recalls one of the first tasks Dr. Craig was involved in on campus: the reworking of the RAMS Life program, previously called Vocatio. In-person students at Bluefield University earn credit by participating in areas that can help a student grow in their education, as a believer, and as a person.
English • 2027
The men’s dormitory Rish Hall underwent extensive renovations during the summer, receiving new flooring, remodeled bathrooms, individual climate controls for each room, electrical upgrades, a new roof, and much more.
“From the outside, the brick is the same. But the windows and everything else you see is upgraded,” said Hal Keene, director of facilities and operations at Bluefield University. “I don’t think there’s any ceiling, wall, light, window, anything that you can walk inside the building and see that’s not brand new.”
