The Charles O. Warren Jr. Scholarship Fund has been established at Bluefield College to honor interim President Charles Warren, who served at the college for a year.
Warren, who was president of Lynchburg College from 1993 to 2001, went to Bluefield College in August 2006 shortly after the departure of President Dan MacMillan. A retired Christian educator and native of Bluefield, West Virginia, Dr. Warren brought more than 35 years of higher education experience, including six years as president at the State University of New York (SUNY) in Plattsburgh.
In less than one year at Bluefield, Dr. Warren led the school in the creation of a new forensics science major for traditional students and a new marketing major for adults in the degree-completion program. He also spearheaded the renewal or development of articulation agreements with three regional community colleges and one medical school. He played a key role in acquiring a $150,000 gift from the Shott Foundation for improvements to the college’s library and a $200,000 gift from the Keesee Fund for student scholarships.
"Dr. Warren was a godsend," said the Rev. Jack Marcom, an alumnus and member of the school’s Board of Trustees. "His ability to pull people together has been a highlight. His personality has provided openness on campus that has caused great excitement."
Under Dr. Warren’s tenure, Bluefield College also established a Football Feasibility Study Group to explore the return of football on campus and a partnership with the Town of Bluefield, Virginia, to study the creation of a new student/community activities center. In addition, as a result of Dr. Warren’s leadership during the 2006-2007 academic year, the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) increased its funding for Bluefield College.
Dr. Warren’s interim tenure with the college will continue through June of this year until BC’s ninth president, David Olive, an executive vice president and chief operating officer at Pfieffer University in Charlotte, North Carolina, begins his presidency.
The Charles O. Warren Jr. Scholarship Fund, established by Bluefield College faculty, staff and trustees, will serve as not only an added source of financial assistance for BC students, but also a permanent tribute to Warren, school officials said.