History
| Bluefield Colored Institute | 1895-1932 |
| Bluefield State Teachers College | 1932-1943 |
| Bluefield State College | 1943-Present |
According to its charter, the school was founded in 1895 as Bluefield Colored Institute and created as a high school for the Negro youth in the nearby area. It later served as a teacher training school in the state's then-segregated system of education.
In the late 1920s, the students and staff of the school referred to it as "Bluefield Institute", but this name was never sanctioned by the West Virginia legislature.
By September 1954, the state-supported colleges in West Virginia were integrated. Three white students in a total body of 354 enrolled at Bluefield State.
By the 1960s, the College had a comprehensive four-year program of teacher education, arts and sciences, and engineering technology. Gradually a variety of two-year technical programs evolved in response to local needs.
During the late 1960s, black students protested that the state was transforming the school from a traditional black college to a white commuter college. One of the allegations made was that black faculty and staff were being fired and replaced by less qualified white personnel. On November 21, 1968, the racial tensions culminated in the bombing of the gymnasium. A $5,000 reward was offered by Governor Hulett C. Smith. Ironically, the administration responded by immediately closing the dormitories, which housed a significant percentage of the college's black student population, hastening the transition to a predominantly white college.
The Alpha House and President's House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2003, the school's two year programs, except for those in nursing and engineering technology, were separated out from Bluefield State and became the foundation of the newly formed New River Community and Technical College.
Bluefield State College has emerged as a culturally diverse, four-year state supported commuter college serving southeastern West Virginia and southwestern Virginia with a primary thrust in the direction of career and technical two and four year programs. The liberal arts offerings of the College are focused to enhance its unique mission.
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