BLUEFIELD — With the return of Bluefield State University’s Mining Engineering Technology degree program, local officials are now hoping to play a larger role in the resurgence of coal.
That was the message that Dr. Darrin Martin, president of Bluefield State University, delivered Wednesday to local officials, who gathered in Bluefield to meet with U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va.
While Miller was in the city to talk about ongoing economic development efforts, coal and what role Bluefield State University can play in the industry’s regrowth was the primary topic of discussion. Miller, who represents West Virginia’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, also serves as the co-chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus in Washington along with U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va.
Martin said the mining engineering degree program relaunched last year, and its first graduates are expected in four years. He said the university stands ready to be a part of the discussion on coal, and to help the industry with its future graduates.
“Both Congressman Miller and Grifith are co-chairs of President Trump’s coal caucus,” Martin said. “President Trump announced that coal was a critical resource and by developing this committee I know and I feel confident that our leaders are looking and realize that coal is a resource we need for our national security. And we want to be a part of that. Often times small schools may get overlooked, but we want our local officials, we want our state officials and our national officials to know that Bluefield State is mining coal.”
Miller said she will be taking the university’s message back to Washington and will share it with other members of the Congressional Coal Caucus, including Griffith, who represents Southwest Virginia, a region also served by Bluefield State University.
“Of course, I’ve been a member of the coal caucus for several years and the fact that they are concentrating on this so hard I will share that information with the other members of the coal caucus,” Miller said. “That is why I was pointing out the other people (on the coal caucus) for them to know about.”
Miller said every time she returns to Bluefield she is pleasantly surprised to learn of new projects and efforts that are underway.
“As well as Bluefield State,” Miller said. “And it’s refreshing to have a leader there who has the passion for the mining industry and for the students. So I’m just thrilled to be here.”
The mining engineering technology degree program returned to the university in 2024 after a nearly decade-long hiatus.
The idea of reviving the mining engineering program started two years ago when Bluefield State University Board of Governors members Shannon Remines and Mike Blackburn were having dinner. After discussing the need for trained engineers, the two decided to push for a revival of the program.
“Well at Bluefield State we realize the importance of coal and that is why when our board members Shannon Remines and Mike Blackburn from Pocahontas Land had that conversation about what could happen, and what could Bluefield do to help keep coal as the focus,” Martin said. “So when we developed the program we brought industry leaders to the table. And you know sometimes higher education, we don’t always listen to industry leaders. But we listened with open ears. And they came and they helped us with resources and funding, and helping us with faculty and staff. And we’ve been able to start a program, launch our program a year early and we are going to hopefully graduate our first, our new group of miners in the next three to four years.”
Martin said the industry is currently facing a shortage of skilled professionals. The university’s degree program will try to fill that void.
“We realize the resources underground are important to our survival, and to our national security,” Martin said.
Students in the program will gain hands-on training in mine design, safety, ventilation, mineral processing, and environmental compliance, while learning from seasoned professionals and working in state-of-the-art facilities, according to earlier reports from the university.
During Wednesday’s program, Bluefield City Manager Cecil Marson also presented a power point presentation to Miller of other ongoing projects in Bluefield.
Miller said it was important for the town of Bramwell, which is home to the Hatfield-McCoy Trail, to be part of the discussions as well.
“Bramwell is so historic, so important,” Miller said. “I hope they aren’t forgotten.”
“They’ve done a good job of capitalizing on the ATV traffic down there,” Marson said of Bramwell.
Contact Charles Owens at