Welcome to Bluefield at 100! Bluefield College is celebrating 100 years and has undergone a name change! Each week, in honor of this milestone, The Confusing Middle will shine the spotlight on an individual who spent time at Bluefield University, giving them a chance to fill us all in on where they are and how they’ve been doing since the college years. I hope you’ll join us back here every week as we get reacquainted with some old friends!

This week we’re hearing from Kendall Grogan!

1. What have you been up to since your time in Bluefield?
   I got married in 2002. My husband and I lived in WI for 4 yrs working various part-time jobs (my husband worked full-time) and then we moved to SC in 2008 to care for his mom who had many health issues. We lived with her for 10 yrs  (I was a homemaker, homeschooling and raising our kids). We moved into our new home in 2017. Since then, I have stayed home with our 3 kids, homeschooling them and working our health & wellness online business (which we started in 2015).
2. Where are you living now? For how long?
   Myrtle Beach, SC, for 13 yrs….I always wanted to live at the beach but didn’t expect it to happen the way it did. God has been good though… always. 
3. Did you pursue any education after college? If so, what degrees have you obtained?
   I went for my Wedding Certification (online degree).
4. Where did you earn your first “grown-up” paycheck?
   My first paycheck was when I worked for VA Rehab in Richmond, VA. I worked there on college breaks.
5. Who is your current employer and what is your job title?
   I am self-employed now, with Valentus. I am my own boss and LOVE IT!!!
6. What are your hobbies? What do you end up doing in your spare time?
   I love singing, playing the piano (when my kids aren’t around…which never happens…HAHA!!!), I love the beach and I love being a mom! In my spare time, (whatever that is…) I enjoy doing word search puzzles. 
7. Have you done much traveling? Where have you visited?
   Yes, in 1994, I went to TX with my parents to a convention. Went to NY and CN in High School. After we got married (and before kids), we traveled to Las Vegas, California, St. Louis (Arch), Wisconsin Dells, Disney World parks and Cruise, Baton Rouge, LA, The Mall of America, and Bermuda. We have traveled very little since having kids…
8. Are you married? If so, who is your spouse?
   Yes, happily to my husband, Rich of 18yrs.
9. How did you and your spouse meet?
   We met at a Singles Bible Study in Richmond, VA.
10. Do you have children? What are their names/ages?
    Yes, We have a son, John who is about to turn 14. Abby is 8yrs old and Becky, 4yrs old. 
11. Tell us a funny story about your kids…
    There are too many to mention… ha!! They stick together though….watching out for each other a lot….one minute they beat up on each other and the next they are loving on each other.
12. What was your favorite class at Bluefield?
    Bluefield Singers. So much fun…. 
13. Which teachers influenced your life and made a lasting impression? Why?
    Chris Sheppard. He helped me in so many ways both personally and professionally. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have graduated. He helped me find my singing voice. To this day, every time I sing, I hear him in my mind coaching me along the way. 
14. What was your major and/or minor?
    I majored in Church Music with a concentration in Voice.
15. What did you want to be when you “grew up?”
    I always wanted to be a Wedding Planner. 
16. What was your funniest moment in college?
    Aaron Peck, your humor kept us all going in college. 
17. What was your most embarrassing moment?
    Arriving an hour LATE to Music Theory because I misunderstood the Increment weather announcement thinking it applied to BC students. Crazy, right? It took me a while to get over that one. 
18. What was the dumbest thing you did in college? Was it worth it?
    Nothing that I know of. 
19. What is your most vivid memory from Bluefield College?
    Chris Sheppard singing “The Rainbow Connection” Kermit The Frog-Style 
20. Was there ever something you wanted to do during your college days but never did?
    Never really thought about it. 
21. What was your go-to during Late Night in the Shott Hall dining room?
    I always loved going there and enjoying the cheese sticks. 
22. Did you play any sports?
    Nope.
23. How about intramurals?
    Nope.
24. Did you pledge with a fraternity or sorority?
    Nope. 
25. Were you involved in any other extracurriculars (theater, yearbook, clubs, etc.)?
    Nope. 
26. What on-campus events did you enjoy participating in or attending?
    I did enjoy BSU and the fellowship. 
27. Did you jump into the mud pit on Mud Pig Day?
    Nope. 
28. Did you have a work-study job on campus?
    Nope. 
29. Did you have a job off campus?
    Nope. 
30. Which dorm did you live in? Or did you commute?
    Started off in Cruise Hall and ended up in New Hall after my 2nd year. I called it “my apartment”!! Ha!!
31. Tell us your craziest roommate story…
    Don’t really have one…
32. Which classmate influenced you the most?
    Naomi Arnall (Johnson)… she inspired me so much and encouraged me with Music Theory.
33. What personal experiences since college would you like to share?
    Growing up, I had a lot of self-doubt and lacked confidence….my husband and taught me so many things through the years…he helped me see who I really am as a person. 
34. What plans do you have for the next 10 years?
    Continue serving the Lord daily and help as many people as possible live a life they have always wanted/dreamed of…watch our family grow and achieve their dreams too. 
35. Give us a quote to live by…
    “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Luke 6:31

I want to thank Kendall for taking time to answer all these questions and for sharing with us this week! Come back next week when another Bluefield survivor takes the hot seat!

And if you spent time at Bluefield College and want to participate, please reach out to me at confusing.middle@gmail.com and I will send you the full list of questions! Until next time, GO RAMS!