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 Jason Vicars!

1. What have you been up to since your time in Bluefield?
   Still living in Bluefield…been teaching high school math at Graham High School in Bluefield, VA and also spent many years serving as a youth pastor
2. Where are you living now? For how long?
   Have lived in Bluefield my whole life 
3. Did you pursue any education after college? If so, what degrees have you obtained?
   No
4. Where did you earn your first “grown-up” paycheck?
   I worked at JCPenney through most of college if that counts…but after college it would have been from teaching math at Graham High School
5. Who is your current employer and what is your job title?
   Tazewell County Public Schools and math teacher at Graham High School…currently in my 20th year
6. What are your hobbies? What do you end up doing in your spare time?
   With what little spare time I get I love bass fishing and spending time in the outdoors 
7. Have you done much traveling? Where have you visited?
   Yes..I love to travel and have done mission work in many countries including Uganda, Mexico, Peru, El Salvador, and Haiti
8. Are you married? If so, who is your spouse?
   No
9. How did you and your spouse meet?
   N/A
10. Do you have children? What are their names/ages?
    No 
11. Tell us a funny story about your kids…
    N/A
12. What was your favorite class at Bluefield?
    I enjoyed most of my professors and classes at Bluefield, but probably my math classes with Dr. Adam Pennell and my science classes with Dr. Greg Kerr 
13. Which teachers influenced your life and made a lasting impression? Why?
    Dr. Pennell and Dr. Kerr for sure….in addition to their teaching, they took time to get to know and invest in me as an individual and on a personal level.  Made a major difference in the teacher that I am today. 
14. What was your major and/or minor?
    B.S in Math and Biology and a B.A. in Christian Studies
15. What did you want to be when you “grew up?”
    When I started at Bluefield I actually planned to just be there a short time and then go to Pharmacy School.  I got accepted to 2 different Pharmacy Schools, but decided last minute to turn that down and then come back and continue my education at Bluefield also completing a B.A. in Christian Studies in addition to my B.S in math and biology.  Bluefield seemed to always keep drawing me back. 
16. What was your funniest moment in college?
    Haha… had a lot of laughs, but can’t remember any specifically funny moment 
17. What was your most embarrassing moment?
    I don’t get embarrassed very easily haha, so I can’t remember anything specifically embarrassing
18. What was the dumbest thing you did in college? Was it worth it?
    I guess I was fairly boring haha because I don’t remember anything to dumb thankfully
19. What is your most vivid memory from Bluefield College?
    Probably my times spent with the Baptist Student Union and Student Union Board 
20. Was there ever something you wanted to do during your college days but never did?
    Not really, but I guess living in town and being a commuter, it would have been cool to have experienced dorm life as well 
21. What was your go-to during Late Night in the Shott Hall dining room?
    Being a commuter I was usually back home by then haha 
22. Did you play any sports?
    Loved sports, but did not play for the school
23. How about intramurals?
    No…it was hard with my work schedule with my job on top of school and the other things I was involved with through the school
24. Did you pledge with a fraternity or sorority?
    No 
25. Were you involved in any other extracurriculars (theater, yearbook, clubs, etc.)?
    I was very involved with the Baptist Student Union and the Student Union Board 
26. What on-campus events did you enjoy participating in or attending?
    Basically everything that we worked to bring to the school through the Student Union Board.  I especially enjoyed the Christian concerts and comedians we would bring in. 
27. Did you jump into the mud pit on Mud Pig Day?
    Hahaha..no, but probably should have
28. Did you have a work-study job on campus?
    No 
29. Did you have a job off campus?
    Yes, I worked at JCPenney at the mall, and later also worked as a youth pastor 
30. Which dorm did you live in? Or did you commute?
    Commute
31. Tell us your craziest roommate story…
    Well, I was my one and only roommate living at home…so not much to tell haha
32. Which classmate influenced you the most?
    Hard to pick a certain individual, but all the students I was a part of the Baptist Student Union with influenced my life in their own powerful ways
33. What personal experiences since college would you like to share?
    Just that I have been blessed to pour into the lives of the youth in this area through teaching and youth pastoring.  Also, I have been blessed to serve and minister to many others around the world in several countries through various international missions opportunities. 
34. What plans do you have for the next 10 years?
    To hopefully stay healthy and well enough to keep fulfilling whatever God calls me to and bringing Him as much glory as I can 
35. Give us a quote to live by…
    If you have a fear in life, be afraid of succeeding at things that don’t ultimately matter.

I want to thank Jason 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!