Presidential Succession (1962-2017)
Dublin Core
Title
Presidential Succession (1962-2017)
Subject
Presidents; Leadership; Administration
Description
Four presidents led Bluewater Bible College & Institute from its founding through its closure:
1. Rev. Bill Slaymaker (1962-1964) - Founding president who established the school at Calvary Baptist Church.
2. Dr. Ray Thompson (1964-1979) - Oversaw the move to the Camp Fortuna campus in 1964 and the upgrade to college status in 1966. Thompson Hall (ladies' dormitory and classrooms) was named in his honor.
3. Dr. Dennis Bellew (1979-2000) - Longest-serving president, led the college for 21 years. Bellew Hall (computer lab, chapel, and 10,000-volume library) was named in his honor.
4. Rev. Heath Francis Charles (2000-2017) - Served as interim president from 2000, officially installed Spring 2001. Credentials: B.A., B.S. (Tennessee Temple University); M.Div., Th.M. (Temple Baptist Seminary); D.Min. Candidate. Led the college until its closure following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
1. Rev. Bill Slaymaker (1962-1964) - Founding president who established the school at Calvary Baptist Church.
2. Dr. Ray Thompson (1964-1979) - Oversaw the move to the Camp Fortuna campus in 1964 and the upgrade to college status in 1966. Thompson Hall (ladies' dormitory and classrooms) was named in his honor.
3. Dr. Dennis Bellew (1979-2000) - Longest-serving president, led the college for 21 years. Bellew Hall (computer lab, chapel, and 10,000-volume library) was named in his honor.
4. Rev. Heath Francis Charles (2000-2017) - Served as interim president from 2000, officially installed Spring 2001. Credentials: B.A., B.S. (Tennessee Temple University); M.Div., Th.M. (Temple Baptist Seminary); D.Min. Candidate. Led the college until its closure following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
Creator
Bluewater Bible College & Institute
Source
Wayback Machine archive of bluewater.edu (2002-2014 captures)
Date
1962-2017
Type
Text
Coverage
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Collection
Citation
Bluewater Bible College & Institute, “Presidential Succession (1962-2017),” Bluewater Bible College Archives, accessed July 28, 2026, https://archives.bluewaterbible.org/items/show/8.