Bluefield University alumni and friends are invited to a series of summer reunions across Virginia and North Carolina in June and July, including six BU @ the Ballpark events, a Central Virginia Alumni Reunion, a Roanoke Valley Alumni and Friends Potluck, and a New River Valley Alumni Reunion at Claytor Lake.
BU @ the Ballpark events use America’s favorite pastime to reunite BU alumni and friends at minor league baseball stadiums in Pulaski (July 11), Charlotte (June 20), Richmond (June 24), Norfolk (June 25), Salem (June 27), and Bluefield (June 28). The alumni chapter gatherings will join alumni and friends in Central Virginia (July 20) and the New River Valley (July 27).
“This is the best part of being in the alumni association,” said Josh Grubb, director of development and alumni affairs. “BU @ the Ballpark is on its sixth year and is growing in popularity. We fellowship as we eat together, meet new alumni, and network.”
“We’ve expanded these summer events over the years to friends of the university, current students, prospective students, and all of their families. It’s a great opportunity for everyone with ties to Bluefield University.”
To register for any of the events, go to bluefield.edu/reunions.
Roanoke Valley Alumni and Friends Potluck: June 8
Join us at Smith Mountain Lake on June 8 for the Roanoke Valley Alumni and Friends Potluck. The potluck will start at 11 a.m. at the Smith Mountain Lake Community Park Shelter (1480 Park Way Avenue, Moneta, VA). You’ll have the opportunity to connect with fellow alumni, meet new friends, hear from BU campus leadership, and network. This is a family-friendly event and bring your bathing suits if you want to enjoy the lake! There is a playground near the shelter for the kids. There is no cost to attend; just bring a side dish or dessert.
BU @ the Ballpark in Charlotte: June 20
For the second year in a row, the Greater Charlotte BU @ the Ballpark reunion will be at BB&T Ballpark (324 S. Mint Street, Charlotte, NC) Thursday, June 20. The Charlotte Knights, a Class AAA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, will take on the Syracuse Mets. Food and fellowship will begin at 6 p.m. in the BU Alumni Zone with the game following at 7 p.m. The cost is $20 per person, which includes a picnic style dinner and a ticket for the game. Register by June 13 to secure your seats.
BU @ the Ballpark in Richmond: June 24
The Greater Richmond BU @ the Ballpark reunion will be Monday, June 24, featuring an alumni and friends picnic at 5 p.m. before the game between the Richmond Flying Squirrels, a Class AA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, and the Altoona Curve at The Diamond (3001 N. Boulevard, Richmond, VA). The cost is $20 per person, which includes the PREGAME picnic meal and a ticket to watch the game in the BU Alumni zone. Register by June 17 to secure your seats for the sixth consecutive Richmond BU @ the Ballpark reunion.
BU @ the Ballpark in Norfolk: June 25
The University will host its Greater Norfolk BU @ the Ballpark reunion for the sixth year in a row Tuesday, June 25 at Harbor Park (150 Park Avenue, Norfolk, VA) where the Norfolk Tides, a Class AAA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, will take on the Gwinnett Stripers. The cost is $15 per person, which includes box seats in the BU Alumni Zone for the game and baseball bucks to spend on concessions. The event begins at 7. Register by June 18 to secure your seats.
BU @ the Ballpark in Salem: June 27
The Salem BU @ the Ballpark reunion will be Thursday, June 27 and will feature an alumni and friends picnic at 6 p.m. before the game between the Salem Red Sox, a Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, and the Winston-Salem at Salem Dash at Memorial Baseball Stadium (1008 Texas Street, Salem, VA). The cost is $20 per person, which includes the picnic meal and a ticket to watch the game in the BU Alumni Zone. Register by June 20 to secure your seats for the sixth consecutive Salem BU @ the Ballpark reunion.
BU @ the Ballpark in Bluefield: June 28
BU @ the Ballpark reunions wrap up in Bluefield on Friday, June 28 at Bowen Field (2003 Stadium Drive, Bluefield, WV). The game starts at 7 p.m. with a picnic being held in the Coppinger Room. The Bluefield Blue Jays will take on the Burlington Bees. The cost is $5 per person, including the picnic meal and a ticket to watch the game from the BU Alumni Zone in the Coppinger Room. Register by June 21 to reserve your spot.
BU @ the Ballpark in Pulaski: July 11
BU @ the Ballpark in Pulaski will be on Thursday, July 11 at 7:05 p.m. at Calfee Park (700 S. Washington Avenue, Pulaski VA), where the Pulaski Yankees, a rookie-league affiliate of the New York Yankees, will take on the Bluefield Blue Jays. The cost for the Pulaski BU @ the Ballpark event is $15 per person, which includes a ticket to watch the game in the BU Alumni Zone and a concessions voucher. Register by July 4 to secure your seats for the sixth consecutive Pulaski BU @ the Ballpark reunion.
Central Virginia Alumni & Friends Reunion: July 20
The Central Virginia alumni gathering will be Saturday, July 20 at noon. Alumna Peggy Emert Bickford (’71) and her husband, Steve, an honorary alumnus, will host the Central Virginia reunion at their home in Buckingham County (1056 C.G. Woodson Road, New Canton, VA). For nearly 30 years, BU grads gathered at the home of alumni Bobby (’58) and Joyce Mullikin (’58) Gentry in Charlottesville for the Central Virginia reunion, but in 2017 the Gentry’s passed the torch to the Bickford’s who now host the event.
“We decided to begin hosting this gathering out of respect for the tradition and wanting to see the event continue and because of the love we have for Bluefield University and our fellow alumni,” said Peggy Bickford. “We want everyone to enjoy themselves in a very casual atmosphere. We are looking forward to seeing old friends, making new ones, sharing memories of days spent at BU, and continuing the tradition established by Mr. and Mrs. Gentry 30 years ago.”
The cost to attend is $8. Dr. Olive and other campus leaders will be at the family-friendly event, with games and a pond for fishing. All are welcomed to attend.
New River Valley Alumni Reunion at Louthan: July 27
Alumni from the New River Valley are invited to a potluck reunion at the home of Fran Webb Louthan (’60) and her husband, Dick, on Claytor Lake (7154 Island View Way, Dublin, VA), Saturday, July 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to a potluck meal and plenty of fellowship, the gathering will serve as a meeting of the New River Valley Regional Alumni Chapter. Current students and their families, trustees and other BU friends are invited to join alumni for the gathering. Guests are asked to bring a side dish to go with hot dogs, which will be provided, making sure to register by July 20.
Don’t miss out on a fun summer day with your BU family! Be sure to register at bluefield.edu/reunions.