Bluefield University held its Ram-2-Ram Alumni Career Seminar on March 11, 2019. The event featured seven BU alumni from various specialized fields who returned to campus to share their professional experiences, advice, and wisdom with current Bluefield University students.
The Bluefield University alumni who participated in the panel discussion were Mr. Donnie Bales (’10 theatre) a graduate assistant in programming and engagement at the Moss Arts Center, currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts from Virginia Tech; Dr. Jeff Disibbio (’95 criminal justice), a graduate of Regis University School of Law, who serves as a trust officer at First Community Bank, and is a member of the criminal justice faculty at Bluefield University; Mrs. Rebecca Havens Kasey (’17 communications) who currently serves as the business operations and marketing coordinator for the City of Bluefield Community and Economic Development in Bluefield, West Virginia; Mr. Rodney Kasey (’15 exercise and sport science) who currently serves as the director of youth athletics and membership marketing for the city of Bluefield, West Virginia and is the men’s basketball coach at Bluefield State University; Mr. Jeremiah “Moe” Musser (’04 criminal justice),who currently serves as the Wythe County Clerk of Circuit Court and was a former deputy, D.A.R.E. instructor, school resources officer, corporal, and sergeant of a patrol team; Mr. Chris Robinson (’17 management and leadership) who served as the 2017 commencement student speaker at Bluefield University and is currently serving as the V.P. of operations for Identification International,Inc.(i3) in Blacksburg, and has a depth of knowledge relating to lean manufacturing, theory of constraints, FMEA, process engineering, facilities engineering, and HRM; and Mr. Justin Spracher (’08 business management) who currently serves as the community bank manager at Summit Community Bank in Bluefield.
The panel of alumni offered advice about careers and internships, looked back on their time at Bluefield University fondly, and discussed the topic of Christianity in the workplace. Other topics discussed included salary negotiation, job search challenges, and balancing home and work life.
Donnie Bales (’10) noted that in his current positions he asks himself constantly, “How can we as artists serve the community through the arts?” He looks for opportunities to do that and reflected back to the mission of Bluefield University of striving to be a servant leader. Jeremiah “Moe” Musser (’04) explained that one of the requirements for his current position was a college degree saying, “I thought I’d never use my college degree until the day came when I needed it.” Chris Robinson (’17) did not attend Bluefield University until later in life. He received his degree at the age of 50 and noted it was a life-changing experience for him.
Rodney Kasey (’15) recalled his tenure at Bluefield University fondly saying, “I came to Bluefield University to play basketball, but the things I was able to do here were much more important than anything I could do in sports.” His wife Rebecca Havens Kasey (’17) concurred with his statement saying, “This place is like home to me” and noted that events like Ram-2-Ram are really worthwhile for connecting you with people and for networking.
The Ram-2-Ram Alumni panel event is sponsored twice a year by the Office of Alumni Relations and the Office of Student Development at Bluefield University. The event is designed to provide networking opportunities for current students to better prepare them to work in their fields following graduation.