Ferrum College 2022 Annual Report

The first snow of the new year fell at Ferrum College on Monday, January 3, 2022, and Faculty Emeritus of Biology and Agriculture Bob Pohlad was there to capture the beauty of campus with his camera. “This was my campus walk after our first snow of the 2021–2022 winter season in the afternoon when the sun came out. Such a peaceful time,” said Dr. Pohlad.

Profess

This publication is produced by the Office of Institutional Advancement. Please send address changes by mail to Office of Institutional Advancement, P.O. Box 1000, Ferrum, VA 24088-9000; call 540-365-4211; or email advancement@ferrum.edu.

CO-EDITORS

Sarah Bowman, Wilson Paine, Kristin Waters

CONTRIBUTORS

On Campus

Laurie Adams, David Campbell, Krystal Davis, Amy Shelor Dye, Lindsey Foster, Crystal Gibson, Gary Holden, Refentse Maselwa, Marina Powell, Sarah Shuford, Bart Smith, Tom Steele, and Diana Yates

PHOTO EDITING

Sarah Shuford, Bart Smith, Kristin Waters

PHOTOGRAPHY

Aaron Conover, Krystal Davis, Gary Holden, Brad Holley Photography, Keith Johnston, Bryson Lempeckski, Bob Pohlad, Kevin Reilly, Kristin Waters, Jennifer Whitlow, Beth Worley, Ferrum College Sports Information Office staff, and Ferrum College friends

DESIGN

Kristin Waters

ON THE COVER

Ferrum College Director of First Year

Experience Tracy Holley ’96 works with TJ Baker, a junior from Canberra, Australia, who is pursuing both a Musical Theatre and History major.

Ferrum College is approved to offer GI Bill® educational benefits by the Virginia State Approving Agency.

Ferrum College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran status, gender, sex, disability, or any other protected status in admission to, access to, treatment in or employment in its programs and activities. Ferrum College affirms the dignity and worth of every individual regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and will not tolerate harassment or discrimination toward any individual. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, Ferrum College, P.O. Box 1000, Ferrum, VA, 24088-9000; (540) 365-4235. Inquiries concerning the application of nondiscrimination policies may also be referred to Office for Civil Rights, D.C., U.S. Department of Education, P.O. Box 14620, Washington, D.C. 20044; (202) 208-2545, TDD; (202) 208-7797. OCR encourages use of e-mail or fax to communicate with OCR whenever possible. Also, complainants may file a complaint with OCR online or by email (ocr@ed.gov).

THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP

BOARD OF TRUSTEES ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS

D. Scott Showalter ’73, Chair

W. Jeffrey Booker, First Vice Chair

Bernice Cobbs ’98, Second Vice Chair

Amanda Cox ’04, Secretary

MEMBERS

David Arrington

Denise Bates

Suzanne M. Boltz

John Cougill ’69

Jeff Davoud ’97

F. Abe Dymond

Everett Foxx ’92

Jeff Knotts

Sharma D. Lewis

Judson P. (Jud) Mason ’67

Annita Nelson

Baxter Phillips, Jr. ’66

Jeffrey C. Pugh ’77

Ronald E. Singleton ’70

Nancy Walsh

Teresa Watson

Marilyn H. West

Bruce Whitehurst

B. Clay Wiley, Jr. ’06

George D. Yancey ’67

TRUSTEES EMERITI

William B. Bales

Patricia O. Compton

Robert A. Cox, Jr.

Thelma B. Crowder

Betty Forbes

Samuel L. Lionberger, Jr.

M. Douglas Newman ’42

Ida B. Powell

OFFICERS

B. Clay Wiley, Jr. ’06, President

Ty’Nesha Jamison Scales ’05, Vice President

Terrance S. Harrelson ’11, Secretary

Twyla Stephen Tatum ’04, Past President

MEMBERS

Frank Boxley ’17

Wayne Brockwell ’06

Scotty Bryan ’97

Nate Daniels ’99

Alex Dixon ’19

Randal Doss ’94

Brooke Gill ’05

Ray Goode ’92

Lynette Guilliams ’05

Danielle Hannuksela ’16

Shannon Jost ’97

Sandy Kalamaras ’04

Glynn Loope ’86

Camille Mangum ’22

Alesha Meadows ’12

Robert Monolo ’92

Jubal Poindexter ’05

Jason Priest ’02

Billie Quesenberry ’17

Jeff Reardon ’96

Kevin Reynolds ’13

Matthew Scruggs ’04

Beth Simms ’09

Aundrea Smiley ’07

Deanna Sumners ’13

Dorothy Vetterl ’18

LIFETIME MEMBERS

Donald Brown ’66

Samuel Camden ’66

James Clark Jr. ’62

Bruce Griffith ’66

Dear Ferrum Community,

Higher education has been a key institution of American society since the 17th century. The catalyst behind America’s progress, from the industrial age to the digital revolution, can be traced back to ideas and concepts conceived in classrooms, dormitories, and libraries across the nation. Yet, as higher education in the United States enters its 5th century, it is clear that it is facing a critical inflection point.

As chair of the Board of Trustees, it has been a privilege to work with my fellow trustees and the campus leadership to prepare Ferrum College to meet this challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many institutions to look inward and ask themselves who they are, and who they want to be. Ferrum College is uniquely positioned to answer these questions and put forth an institutional narrative that captures the values that have guided our College for over 100 years.

While many institutions strive to provide greater equity and opportunities for their students, Ferrum College boasts one of the most diverse student bodies in the Commonwealth. With learning outside the classroom becoming a greater emphasis, Ferrum can be proud of the experiential learning opportunities we have offered our students for decades.

Looking ahead, we know 2023, our 110th year as an institution, marks a pivotal year for the College. We will be guided by the vision of a new president, while remaining true to our mission and motto, Not Self, But Others.

Achieving our ambitious goals for the future will require the support, engagement, and generosity of our entire campus community. I hope you will join us as we build a bright and prosperous future for Ferrum College.

With Panther Pride,

D. Scott Showalter Chair, Ferrum College Board of Trustees

Director of Norton Outdoor Adventures and Adjunct Instructor of Ecotourism Aaron Conover ’93 photographed his Ferrum Foundations students as they enjoyed kayaking and canoeing in August 2022 on the beautiful Adams Lake on campus. The students were participating in REC-109, Outdoor Recreation Sampler, an introductory course that explores multiple outdoor recreation activities including rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, orienteering, mountain biking, hiking, camping, and fly fishing, while emphasizing basic skills, proper use of equipment, and safety.

The goal of the Ferrum Foundations program is to make the transition to college life less daunting for new students by offering them opportunities to forge relationships with upperclassmen, faculty, and staff, while learning academic strategies designed to ensure their success at Ferrum College and beyond.

Dear Ferrum College Family,

I am honored to serve as your president and to lead Ferrum College into its 110th year. Ferrum College has incredible programs, outstanding people, unique assets and a beautiful campus. I am here to work with the Board of Trustees and the entire Ferrum College family to see it thrive!

I am a ‘people-person’, and I believe in the power of personal relationships, so I am most excited to meet you and others who care so deeply about this College. Every day, I will spend time strengthening my connections with faculty, staff, community leaders and alumni – and getting to know students. It’s important for me to know them; to know their stories, their hopes and desires, as well as their needs and challenges.

One thing I already know – there are boundless opportunities for Ferrum College. We can use our strengths to drive innovation and growth. We will remain mission driven, and we will raise our visibility and recommit to our identity. We are the exceptional “College of Opportunity” – the home away from home that offers every student an outstanding college education. We will continue to be the destination of choice for students who “Enter with Promise and Leave with Purpose.”

It all begins with welcoming students to our beautiful campus where dedicated faculty and staff get to know and support each individual in a way very few colleges can. Ferrum College is a place where students are nurtured and challenged in a safe and caring learning community. We deliver relevant, engaged liberal arts and professional programs that enable our students to become more than they ever thought possible – entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, farmers, state office holders, corporate executives, educators, healthcare professionals, and so much more!

As you know, our enviable geographic location makes the outdoors a key component of our educational experience. Blending classroom and hands-on learning experiences, a Ferrum College education guarantees our students are career-ready when they graduate. We are nimble enough to anticipate, innovate, and meet the workforce needs of today and tomorrow – here in the Commonwealth and across the globe.

This spring, I plan to spend much of my time on the road meeting with community stakeholders, as well as supporting Admissions and Advancement efforts. I want to meet with our prospective students and their parents. I want to get to know our alumni and learn your success stories. I want legislators, community and business leaders to see Ferrum College as a preferred partner for developing solutions and providing the workforce of the future.

I look forward to meeting with many of you in my travels and on campus. My door is always open.

Onward and upward! The best of is yet to be.

Welcome home to Ferrum College!

With Panther Pride,

Mirta M. Martin, Ph.D. President, Ferrum College

A collaborative vision; diversified financial support; and creative implementation to yield increased student success, satisfaction and retention.

Higher education is changing. Best practices and expectations in and out of the classroom are evolving. In this environment, Ferrum College has a long history of serving students from underserved backgrounds whose transition to college life can come with additional hurdles—navigating unfamiliar academic processes, loss of social support networks, difficulty connecting with professors and classmates, and the realization of knowledge gaps in foundational areas like math and writing.

Early in 2022, these combined realities led faculty and staff across campus to see the necessity to revitalize student support services. Vice President for Academic Affairs Kevin Reilly and Vice President of Student Development & Campus Life Angie Dahl, led the development of a comprehensive student support program to improve student satisfaction and increase retention, especially among Ferrum’s first-generation and low-income students. Initiatives to expand some existing services and add new programs—in areas such as academic advising, financial literacy, first-generation college student support, and mental health—were identified and implemented through the Carter Center and the Office of Student Life & Engagement.

>25% of Ferrum College students are the first in their family to attend college and over 50% come from families with substantial financial need.

Freshman Bryson Lempeckski works with Student Success Coach Dina Reilly in the Carter Center for Academic Success in Stanley Library.

Academic Advising and Support

The Carter Center for Academic Success (CCAS) programs and services to assist and empower students throughout their educational journey begin when students arrive on campus. The CCAS staff provide regular proactive, intensive, and individualized academic support for each student based on their comprehensive academic assessment.

As part of its strategic vision, the CCAS launched the following programs in 2022:

Student Success Coaches

Each Ferrum College student is assigned a student success coach who provides a variety of individualized advising and assessment services from the day they arrive on campus until they graduate. While academic advising is still a key component to Ferrum’s support services, Coaches help students navigate other possible determinants to their success such as financial literacy, career advice, and working through personal or emotional challenges.

First@Ferrum

Under the direction of Tracy Holley ’96, the recently established Michael T. Christian First-Year Experience Center provides a variety of resources, including workshops, study sessions, social activities, as well as a dedicated study space with coffee, snacks, school supplies and support staff.

Gateway Seminar

The first-year college seminar was redesigned to include both large group sessions covering topics such as campus technology and financial literacy, and smaller class sessions designed to discuss and utilize the information from the large group sessions.

Foundations

Before the 2022 fall semester, incoming freshmen had the opportunity to participate in the Foundations one-week summer bridge program. This inaugural program was hosted by 7 upperclassmen mentors and included activities designed to increase academic preparedness and engagement in the campus community. To date, only one participant was not retained for spring 2023 and 81% of the participants are in good academic standing with 43% achieving Dean’s List.

Rethinking Student Support Services continued

Sixty percent of the 2022 incoming class met the first-generation student definition. The Michael T. Christian First-Year Experience Center in Stanley Library provides these students a variety of resources, including workshops, study sessions, social activities, as well as a dedicated study space with coffee, snacks, school supplies and support staff.

Financial Literacy and Support

Financial literacy and financial stability are often important predictors of student success. The First@ Ferrum Financial Literacy and Scholarship Program provides students with additional sources of financial support as well as education and information regarding grants and scholarships.

Additionally, the Carter Center recently launched the Ferrum College Opportunity Fund to provide need-based mini-grants. Financial literacy will help set good habits and prepare students to make sound decisions with their money as they advance into financial independence, but students often face unanticipated emergency expenses. The Opportunity Fund one-time mini-grants help bridge financial gaps that might otherwise present an obstacle to academic, professional, personal, or spiritual development.

Mental Health and Community Support

Ferrum College has recognized the growing demand for mental health and community support services from our students. To increase student satisfaction, retention and ensure persistence to graduation, innovations in academic support must be complemented by mental health and quality of life resources. The Office of Student Life and Engagement transformed the lower level of Roberts Hall in fall 2022 to house the Creativity and Mindfulness Suites to teach stress management skills. Broader social emotional programming is also provided through residence life, counselors are also on staff to provide confidential, one-on-one therapy when needed.

Additionally, the College now uses multiple assessment instruments to equip Success Coaches with data to work proactively with College faculty, staff, Office of Student Life and Engagement, and athletic coaches to provide immediate support alerts for our students. A committee meets weekly to discuss students in need and makes recommendations, writes an action plan, and assigns a staff member, coach or faculty member to help the students.

The Funding

Ferrum College has been successful in obtaining a combination of private and public funds to support these strategic and groundbreaking initiatives. In May 2022, Ferrum College was awarded $143,000 in grant funding by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund to support the Carter Center for Academic Success. The grant award will support the College’s academic support services to increase equity in academic achievement as well as the overall performance, persistence, and graduation of first generation students, low-income students, and students with disabilities who demonstrate a need for academic support.

The Office of Student Life and Engagement resources in Roberts Hall and other student mental health initiatives were funded through an Office of Postsecondary Education federal grant and Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III - Supplemental Support under the American Rescue Plan for education stabilization.

To date, 16 grants have been awarded for books, computers, funeral travel expenses, and more.

Rethinking Student Support Services continued

Lower level Roberts Hall now houses Creativity and Mindfulness Suites.

Ferrum College Expands Graduate Degree Offerings With M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction and M.S. in Athletic Coaching

Ferrum College has expanded its graduate degree offerings with two new programs: a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Master of Science (M.S.) in Athletic Coaching. Both programs are 100% online and can be completed in one year.

The new graduate degree programs also represent areas of strength and growth at the institution. Ferrum College boasts a 100% placement rate for its Teacher Education graduates, and athletics has been an instrumental part of the Ferrum College experience dating back to its time as a Junior College.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that curriculum and instructional coordinators’ employment will continue to increase at a rate of six percent over the next ten years. Similarly, employment opportunities for coaches are expected to grow twelve percent over the next ten years.

Ferrum College launched its graduate school in the fall of 2020 with a Master of Science in Psychology and an Education Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) in Teacher Leadership.

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation Awards Accreditation to Ferrum College Teacher Education Program

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) recently granted accreditation to the Ferrum College Teacher Education program with no stipulations or areas for improvement through 2029.

CAEP accreditation assures future teacher education majors at Ferrum College they will graduate prepared to teach effectively. After students complete their program, they receive a license or certificate for the state where they want to teach.

The Ferrum College Education Department offers licensure at the elementary, middle, and high school levels; P–12 licensure in Physical Education; a Special Education endorsement at the elementary school level; and the only teacher licensure in vocational agriculture program offered by a private institution in Virginia.

“Our students and faculty should be very proud of the work they are doing. We have set a very high bar for our teacher education program and CAEP accreditation validates the hard work we have been doing and will continue to do,” said Aimee Brenner, director of Teacher Education at the College.

Ferrum College student teachers show off their Franklin County spring semester 2023 placements. Pictured are (Front L-R) Kacey Whorley, Elspeth Pearce, Emma Burrows, Kaylee Horne, (Back L-R) Bryce Hall, Owen Cepelnik, Caleb Repass, Braden Homsey, and Caitlin Whitlow.

Micah Allen ’22 Traced the History of the Black Student Union for His Senior Year Internship at Stanley Library

Micah Allen ’22 majored in History and Political Science and traced the history of the Black Student Union (BSU) at Ferrum College and the inclusion of Black students in general for his Stanley Library Internship. He mined old, bound volumes of the campus newspaper, The Iron Blade, from the late 60s to early 80s, identified anything related to the BSU, and then scanned and transcribed the articles.

“I found some editorials written in The Iron Blade in the early 80s dealing with the Black Student Union getting more funding than other groups on campus,” he said. “I found them interesting just to see the individual arguments being made for why they are getting more money than other school organizations.”

At some point, he said, the BSU apparently disbanded on campus. “I have not found if or when the BSU dissolved,” Allen said. “I was told that there was a point where they kind of just disappeared, but now I have seen that they are back. I hoped the further I went into my research, I would be able to find the answer.”

Assistant Professor of History Nicole Greer Golda echoed the sentiments. “Micah really blossomed in his years at Ferrum and developed a deep knowledge of our recent past, especially African American history.”

Jess Bollinger ’23 Travels the World In Pursuit of Education Supported In Part By Scholarships

Ferrum College senior and Boone Honors Program (BHP) member Jess Bollinger ’23 had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy, Ireland, and England last year supported in part by a BHP travel scholarship.

In addition to supporting these international learning opportunities, Bollinger credits the honors professors— being globally aware of different customs and issues in other nations—with challenging her to ask questions and be open to differences, and with teaching her skills she can apply in the real world.

“I absolutely love learning, especially pertaining to different languages, cultures, and societies. [Honors] classes, as well as the opportunity to study abroad, are very beneficial for me,” said Bollinger, who also received the Richard L. Smith Academic Enrichment Scholarship.

Bollinger is double majoring in History and Political Science and has three minors: Psychology, Sociology and International Studies, with an emphasis in human rights. While she is undecided about all she wants to do in the future, she recognizes the importance of using her education to help better the world. She plans to join the Peace Corps upon graduation for at least a two-year term. It is also her desire to go into the United Nations and work in the Humanitarian Aid department.

First-year Student-athlete Steven Ritchie Stands Out for More Than His Athletic Ability

First-year student-athlete and Ferrum College baseball team member Steven Ritchie stands out on the field for more than his athletic ability. Ritchie, a native of Chesapeake, Virginia, purchased a customized pink glove three years ago near Mother’s Day. The glove, which is embroidered with “Mom” on the back, honors Ritchie’s mother who is a breast cancer survivor.

Rather than choosing his mother’s name, Ritchie recognized that “Mom” meant something to a lot of people. Ritchie recently expanded his support platform to include his 33-year old autistic brother, Chet. With the addition of a blue Wilson-brand Autism Speaks glove to his collection, Ritchie hopes to raise autism awareness.

Admitting to some goading from opposing teams in the past about his pink glove, Ritchie used it as a teaching moment and educated others on its significance. Some see him as an inspiration and feel comfortable sharing stories with him about loved ones who have battled cancer.

Last summer, Ritchie was approached by a coach, the husband of a breast cancer survivor, who was moved by Ritchie’s awareness campaign. “It means a lot to me that what I’m doing means something to someone other than just myself,” said Ritchie.

Student Chef Midoven Lormejuste Cooks Up A Family Meal for “Haitian Station Takeover”

Franklin Dining Hall was lively and bustling as freshman nursing major Midoven Lormejuste, aka ML, cooked up a heart-warming meal with his Haitian family recipe of Legum and Diri (rice with bean gravy and legume) for what was dubbed “The Haitian Station Takeover”.

The idea for the takeover came about when Lormejuste teased Aladdin Food Services Director Levi Briggs saying, “We should cook Haitian food.” Briggs told Lormejuste to pick a dish and bring in the recipe.

“I also told him that he would be responsible for cooking the dish. ML stepped up and brought me a recipe. Aladdin bought all the items on the list. We talked about his menu, set a date, and he embraced the challenge,” said Briggs.

“ML did a great job describing the recipe and teaching the diners about its origin and why that dish was special to him,” continued Briggs. “This is one of the wonderful things about America—people come from all over the world and proudly share aspects of their culture.”

Lormejuste agreed. “I was happy with how the meal came out,” he said. “It tasted like home.”

Ferrum College Faculty Promoted to Senior Academic Leadership Positions

Ferrum College faculty Martha Haley-Bowling ’90, Jason Powell, and Tim Daniels, have recently been promoted to senior academic leadership positions at the College. Haley-Bowling was appointed dean of Graduate and Professional Studies, effective October 1, 2022. Powell and Daniels took up their new responsibilities on December 1, 2022, as assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of Undergraduate Studies, respectively. Each will play important roles in shaping and developing undergraduate and graduate programs for the school.

As dean of Graduate and Professional Studies, Haley-Bowling oversees the Nursing, Social Work, and Teacher Education professional programs, as well as the College’s graduate programs. A Ferrum College alumna, Haley-Bowling has spent the last 21 years teaching and currently serves as the College’s program coordinator of Social Work.

“I love seeing the ‘a-ha’ moments of our students. Being a faculty member has allowed me to continue my educational journey keeping up to date with practices of today. I am proud to be the dean of Graduate and Professional Studies and look forward to the future at Ferrum College,” said Haley-Bowling, who also works with substance users and sex offenders as part of Radford Counseling Group, LLC.

As assistant vice president for Academic Affairs, Powell will support the academic deans in continued success and innovation in current areas of study, as well as the development of strategic new programs while working collaboratively with the Office of Institutional Research and other areas of Ferrum College to support student success. Powell has served the College since 2001, most recently as a current professor of Chemistry and Physics and as the former dean of Undergraduate Studies.

“I am most looking forward to supporting academic decisions by providing reliable data and analysis,” said Powell, who has been recognized for his student-focused approaches to teaching and research as well as his ability to develop innovative new programs.

As dean of Undergraduate Studies, Daniels will oversee Ferrum College’s existing undergraduate programs, and work with faculty to develop new opportunities for Ferrum students. Daniels joined the Ferrum faculty in 2015 as an assistant professor of History, and most recently served the College as program coordinator for History.

“I’m most excited about the ability to support our faculty as they find the best ways to educate and impact our students,” said Daniels, who previously served as chair of the Division of Humanities and Performing Arts, and as an advisor for the Delta Chi Fraternity, coadvisor for Brother4Brother, and as a faculty athletics mentor for the Men’s Lacrosse Team.

Martha Haley-Bowling

Jason Powell

Tim Daniels

Vanden Eykel’s New Book Shows How the “Three Wise Men” Story Inspired A Vast Literary and Artistic Tradition

In his new book, The Magi: Who They Were, How They’ve Been Remembered, and Why They Still Fascinate, Ferrum College religion professor Eric Vanden Eykel helps readers better understand both the Magi and the ancient and modern interpreters who have studied them.

Vanden Eykel has long been fascinated by the “wise men” or “Magi” in the Gospel of Matthew who came to Bethlehem bearing gifts for the newly born Jesus. In The Magi, Vanden Eykel shows how, from a mere twelve verses in the Gospel of Matthew, a varied and vast literary and artistic tradition was born.

“My hope is that this book will help readers rediscover the Magi and also come to a greater appreciation of the awe and creativity that their story has inspired over the past twothousand years,” explained Vanden Eykel.

The Magi is one of two Vanden Eykel books published last fall. He also co-edited Sex, Violence, and Early Christian Texts with Christy Cobb, assistant professor of Christianity at University of Denver. “These books made life exceedingly busy for the past couple of years, but it’s such a rewarding experience to see both of them finally in print,” Vanden Eykel said.

Ferrum College Hosts Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant for 2021–2022 Academic Year

Ferrum College was honored to host Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Diana Ramirez at Ferrum College for the 2021–2022 academic year. Ramirez, who is from Mexico, taught the Spanish labs, shared her culture with the campus community, designed materials, and coordinated a language exchange between her Ferrum students and students from Mexico.

“The students had the opportunity to speak with a native speaker and immerse themselves in the culture,” said Ramirez. In addition to teaching, she was able to take two classes per semester at the College as part of the Fulbright grant, which included American History II and Literary Studies this spring.

The Fulbright FLTA Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is designed to develop Americans’ knowledge of foreign cultures and languages by supporting teaching assistantships in over 30 languages at hundreds of U.S. institutions of higher education.

106th Graduating Class Celebrated During Commencement Ceremonies in April

Ferrum College celebrated its 106th graduating class on Saturday, April 23, 2022, under sunny skies during a ceremony in W. B. Adams Stadium as 185 graduates from 15 different states received their diplomas. Recipients included the first graduates of Ferrum’s Nursing and “Ferrum Promise” programs, as well as graduates from the Psychology master’s degree and Ed. S. programs. The commencement exercises included the presentation of student and faculty awards and a keynote address by journalist and bestselling author Beth Macy, who is the author of the critically acclaimed and New York Times-bestselling books, Factory Man, Truevine, and Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America.

Ferrum College Recognizes Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award Recipients

On Friday, April 22, 2022, Ferrum College celebrated the class of 2022 with a baccalaureate service held in Vaughn Chapel. During this ceremony, three individuals received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, the College’s highest award for character, service, and spiritual ideals: student Ta’Vyon Harris, employee Eugene Hacker, and community member Martha Puckett.

Student award recipient Harris, from North Chesterfield, Virginia, was described by one of his nominators as, “one of the most caring young men with whom I have had the pleasure of working with at Ferrum College. Harris, the go-to-guy for many students who have personal challenges, has an empathetic demeanor and servant’s mindset, which draws others to him. He offers his time and care to everyone who contacts him in need.” Harris has also served as a mentor to elementary students at Lee M. Waid School in the Ferrum College Brother4Brother’s Breakfast Buddies program.

Staff award recipient Hacker, from Ferrum, Virginia, is a 2005 Ferrum alumnus who began working at the College in 2006. As described by one of his nominators, “Eugene demonstrates what it means to be a model employee. He is always willing to help and he goes over and above to make sure his colleagues and our students have the tools necessary to be successful. Even during stressful times, Eugene is always calm, positive and upbeat. Eugene exemplifies his spiritual beliefs as he adds his significant musical skills to the College’s Praise and Worship Band.”

Community award recipient Martha Puckett, from Ferrum, Virginia, has overseen Panther Packs, the backpack program that provides non-perishable food to Ferrum Elementary students whose families are food-insecure, since 2007. A nominator noted that Puckett’s work involves the coordination of fundraising, the purchasing and packing of food, and the delivery of backpacks to the school each week. “Martha has worked tirelessly to make sure the most vulnerable members of our community have food in their stomachs over the weekend when they are not served meals during school. She is the hallmark of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan award, practicing fine spiritual qualities practically applied to daily living.”

Since 1934, the Sullivan Foundation has been inspiring others to lead lives of integrity through a commitment to placing community service above self-interest. “These Ferrum College community members demonstrate these qualities through selfless service, showing compassion for others, and bringing comfort in time of need,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Kevin Reilly. “These exceptional individuals truly live the Ferrum College Not Self, But Others motto on a daily basis [and] were selected by the faculty and staff in recognition of their spiritual and noble qualities, and their remarkable character and integrity.”

Ta’Vyon Harris ’22

Eugene Hacker ’05

Martha Puckett

Longtime Ferrum College Employees Joyce Creel ’22 and Margaret Drakeford ’22 Receive Their Degrees

During Ferrum College’s 106th commencement ceremony held on April 23, 2022, numerous nontraditional students celebrated the receipt of their diploma including two long-time College employees: Joyce Creel ’22 and Margaret Drakeford ’22, both of Franklin County, received bachelor of science degrees in Business Administration and Liberal Studies, respectively.

Many people assume the typical college student is a young adult living on campus with financial assistance from their family or other support system and are surprised to learn how many graduates are “nontraditional.”

Among the characteristics the National Center for Education Statistics uses to define nontraditional students are those who delay enrollment in post-secondary education and who work 35 hours or more per week while enrolled, qualities that apply to both Creel and Drakeford.

Creel, who has worked at Ferrum College for 16 years, pursued her degree for many of those years. Initially, she took a few “fun” courses like guitar and piano, but did not concentrate on a path geared toward a degree.

Several years into her classes, Creel decided to make them count by choosing courses that would apply to any Business Administration concentration area, but she waited for years before she declared her major. About her achievement, Creel stated, “This has been a lifelong dream of mine and I can’t believe it has happened!”

Drakeford, who has worked at Ferrum College for 43 years, started classes in 1981, took a long break, and then decided to complete the requirements for her degree. She noted graduation was an emotional moment for her.

“I accomplished something that I started [that] I feel anybody can do if they decide to go back and finish their college education. Education is everything and no one can take it away from you,” Drakeford said.

Post graduation, both Creel and Drakeford continue to work for Ferrum College, Creel as assistant director of admissions and Drakeford as senior administrative computing specialist.

Joyce Creel ’22

Margaret Drakeford ’22

“Education is everything and no one can take it away from you.”

— Margaret Drakeford ’22

First Graduating Class of Nursing Students Celebrated During 2022 Commencement

Ferrum College celebrated the first graduating class of nursing students at a pinning ceremony held in Vaughn Chapel on Friday, April 22, 2022.

Seven students graduated from either the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program or the pre-licensure BSN program, which launched in fall semester 2020 and spring semester 2021, respectively.

The College added the two new nursing programs to its curriculum to help address the nationwide shortage of nurses. Former Division of Nursing Chair Kimberly Brown noted the graduation of the first nursing students at Ferrum College was a historic event and the nursing faculty was honored to witness the transformation the students made over the past four years.

“They arrived at Ferrum with vague ideas about what life might be like at the college finish line. They could not foresee, however, the magnitude of growth they would experience in terms of obtaining and applying knowledge in caring and competent ways. These graduates have learned to trust themselves and each other, embody the desire to serve others, and exude pride in their accomplishments,” said Brown.

Claudia Cooke ’22 Among First “Ferrum Promise” Graduates

A program that began a few years ago came to fruition in spring 2022.

The “Ferrum Promise” allows students with an appropriate associate’s degree from a Virginia community college to transfer to Ferrum College and graduate with a bachelor’s degree in four semesters/two years if they complete the required courses and hit each benchmark. If the student does not complete their bachelor’s degree in those two years after transferring, the rest of their tuition is free.

Among the first students to go through the program was Claudia Cooke, who walked the commencement stage for a Bachelor of Social Work degree during the graduation ceremony on Saturday, April 23, 2022.

Cooke received her associate’s in General Studies with a specialization in Human Services from Patrick Henry Community College in December of 2019. In August of 2020, Cooke enrolled and transferred to Ferrum College to major in Social Work.

“I was surprised to know that I was (one of the first ones) to go through this program,” Cooke said.

Claudia Cooke ’22 is a “Ferrum Promise” graduate.

(L-R) Nursing graduates Grace Wright, Casey Raggett, Shaun Cobb, Jennia Candy, and Christine Aigner.

Article excerpt by Lindsey M. Foster, editor of The Iron Blade.

Student and Faculty Award Winners Recognized During 2022 Commencement

Camden, WV, received the Senior Academic Excellence Award for earning a perfect 4.0 GPA during her time at the College.

of Penhook, VA, received the Senior Academic Excellence Award for earning a perfect 4.0 GPA during her time at the College.

VA, received the Arthur S. Owens Leadership Award, for exemplifying leadership, initiative, honor and outstanding character.

of Union Hall, VA, received the Senior Academic Excellence Award for earning a perfect 4.0 GPA during his time at the College.

of North Dinwiddie, VA, received the Lillie Warwick Slaven Award, for exemplifying the ideals of the ministerial profession and being an outstanding student leader.

welfare in areas beyond academic studies, scholarship, and service to the College, her profession, and greater community.

In addition to her work at the College, Wallace, who is a Ferrum alumna and former student athlete, is a member of the Franklin and Bedford County Volunteer Fire Departments and helps coordinate the local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for Solutions That Empower People, Inc.

Demontay

VA, was awarded the James T. Catlin, Jr. Citizenship Award, for exemplifying citizenship and general leadership ability.

excellence and commitment to teaching, concern for student

Brandon Mullins ’22

Jonathan Taylor ’22

Brooke Turner ’22

Madison Cogle ’22

Makayla Hubbard ’22

Abigail McGovern ’22 of Rocky Mount, VA, received the Senior Academic Excellence Award for earning a perfect 4.0 GPA during her time at the College.

of

of Roundhill,

Wimbush ’22 of Bassett,

Sadie Wallace ’15 of Rocky Mount, VA, received the Exemplary Teaching Award, for her

American Scholastic Press Association Awards First Place to The Iron Blade

Ferrum College’s campus newspaper, The Iron Blade, won the First Place 2021–2022 Scholastic Newspaper Award from American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA). ASPA is a nationwide contest for publications ranging from magazines to yearbooks. The ASPA focuses on elevating and highlighting not only the publications produced, but the students who work tirelessly on them.

The Iron Blade is a student-written, student-managed, and student-produced newspaper which covers the daily life and culture of Ferrum College. One print issue is published and distributed on campus each month. After every print, all articles are published online.

David Campbell, assistant professor of English and Journalism and adviser to The Iron Blade, is proud of the students for this achievement. “Our goal is not to win awards. Our goal is to publish a top-notch newspaper that adheres to the guidelines and criteria of quality journalism. I tell the students that if we craft our paper properly, then things like awards generally take care of themselves. It proved to be the case this time.”

Assistant Editor Brandon Mullins ’22 is honored to be part of a nationally-recognized publication. “We were able to succeed in the end thanks to the diligent efforts of our team. For us to reach national acclaim vouches for Ferrum’s commitment to journalistic excellence. I’m confident that The Iron Blade will continue to shine in the times to come.”

Editor Lindsey Foster was amazed when she received notification of the award. “As editor-in-chief, I am truly honored that our team won this incredible award. We have worked so hard this past year and the program has really grown. I am very proud of our Iron Blade staff.”

Vice President for Academic Affairs Kevin Reilly noted he is also proud of the students and Campbell for winning the award. “It represents countless hours, including late evenings and weekends, putting together a newspaper that is truly elite. It also provides evidence for the greater community of what we already know here at Ferrum College: our students, faculty and staff are exceptional.”

In September, The Iron Blade launched its first-ever digital publication at www.ironbladenews.com. The site is updated by staff writers with a variety of current news content, including sports, entertainment, alumni news, and videos.

“To be able to have an independent website that may be constantly updated with current information really takes the program and the publication deeper into the 21st Century,” said David Campbell, assistant professor of English and Journalism and adviser to The Iron Blade “This is where journalism is today, and our students are meeting it head on.”

The Iron Blade student staff who visited The Franklin News-Post office in Rocky Mount included (front row from left) Anna Rymer, freshman; Refentse Maselwa, freshman; Bella Eddy, freshman; Editor Lindsey M. Foster, junior; Caroline King, junior; Assistant Editor Marina J. Powell, freshman; (back row from left) Sports Editor Cody Gibson, junior; Monzelle Campbell, freshman; C.J. Hughes, freshman.

Ferrum College, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and Ferrum Elementary Collaborate for Tree Planting

Last April, second grade classes at Ferrum Elementary participated in a Growing Kids and Trees Seedling Project at Ferrum College through the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE). The students had a hands-on lesson with VCE Agent Jason Fisher, Ferrum College Associate Professor of Forestry and Wildlife Todd Fredericksen and his Natural Resource Management students, and Ferrum Faculty Emeritus Bob Pohlad, as part of their unit on plant life cycles.

Ferrum Elementary teachers Natalie Quesenberry and Tressa Moore worked with VCE Agent Cynthia Martel to plan the hands-on experience for their students. The Growing Kids and Trees Seedling Project provided each student with a free tree seedling to take home and plant. They also provided ten hardwood seedlings, bald cypress and swamp chestnut oak, for the classes to plant on the Ferrum College campus in the Ferrum College Community Arboretum.

The Arboretum was established over twenty years ago and is the product of many hours of student, faculty, staff, and community members’ efforts over the years. It is an important teaching resource for classes at Ferrum College. The diversity of trees, wildflowers, and habitats provides a living and learning laboratory for the college and the community.

Franklin County High School Eagle Tech Environmental Science and English Students Visit Ferrum College

Students from Franklin County High School’s (FCHS) Eagle Tech AP Environmental Science and English 10/Environmental Science classes recently visited Ferrum College to experience first-hand what learning is like on a college campus. Farm Manager Sarah Isley hosted the students for a tour of the College’s Titmus Agricultural Center, where they learned about the teaching farm and met with work-study students. Aaron Conover, director of Norton Outdoor Adventures and adjunct instructor of Ecotourism, together with Foundations of Ecotourism (ECT 265) students, provided hands-on learning experiences for the visiting high school students.

The FCHS Eagle Tech program offers students an innovative learning environment with an instructional focus on collaboration and project-based learning (PBL). Students use technology to complete group projects as they would in a real-world work environment; the ultimate goal is college and career readiness.

Eagle Tech Ecology Teacher Chekka Lash stated, “My students were provided with the opportunity to experience what a college environment is like and to appreciate Ferrum College, which is a true gem in our community. My students have chosen PBL as their preferred mode of learning and the ecotourism course was the perfect mix of fun and collaboration.”

Smith Mountain Lake Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program Celebrates Thirty-Six Years

The Smith Mountain Lake Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program (SMLWQMP), administered by scientists from Ferrum College in collaboration with the Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA), celebrated its thirty-sixth anniversary last year. Initiated in 1987, the program has functioned each year to monitor the water quality in Smith Mountain Lake and to encourage active participation of the lake community in protecting this resource.

Each summer, Ferrum College faculty, students, and SMLA representatives and volunteers monitor the lake water for nutrients, bacteria, and algal blooms. Stakeholders and local health departments use collected data to inform the community of any concerns.

Ferrum College Professor of Environmental Science and Smith Mountain Lake Water Quality Monitoring Program Director Delia Heck has been an integral part of the program for 17 years. “The SMLWQMP is an excellent example of the synergy possible between academia, citizen scientists, government agencies, industry, and regional advocacy groups to ensure the viability of our water resources. This work wouldn’t be possible without the support of Appalachian Power Company, Bedford County Regional Water Authority, Smith Mountain Lake Association, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and Western Virginia Water Authority.”

New Nature’s Writers Trail on Campus Celebrates Authors Who Inspire Faculty and Influence Teaching about Nature

The new Nature’s Writers Trail at Ferrum College is officially open after a November 17 ribbon cutting ceremony. The Nature’s Writers Trail is an interpretive trail installation near Chapman Pond on campus. Sponsored by the Ecotourism and Recreation Leadership programs and involving Ferrum College faculty from English, Environmental Science, Biology, and Art, the trail took eight years to complete.

The trail—dedicated in memory of Faculty Emerita of Environmental Science Carolyn Lee Thomas, who passed away in January 2020—is demarcated by signs featuring quotes selected by 12 faculty from 12 authors who were inspirational to Ferrum faculty and influenced their thinking and teaching about nature. Designed by Assistant Professor of Art Jake Smith, each sign focuses on one author and contains a QR code that directs people to a library resource page dedicated to the project.

Several generations of Recreation Leadership students also contributed to the development of the trail layout and installation. The project was a focal point of REC 413 Recreation Facilities last fall, with the final posts going in over fall break.

Inquiring Minds Series Featured Panel Discussion About Russian Invasion of Ukraine

For some, the war in Ukraine feels distant and out of reach. But for Mariya Dzhyoyeva and Roman Bohdan, the situation is personal.

Dzhyoyeva, an assistant professor of Modern Language, hails from Crimea. And Bohdan, an assistant professor of Business, is from Ukraine. The two participated in an Inquiring Minds panel discussion held February 28, 2022, on campus about the Russian invasion in Ukraine. They were joined by Michael Hancock-Parmer, an assistant professor of History.

The panel discussed many topics, including the subject of timing and why this conflict is happening now, as opposed to occurring earlier. “For me personally, this invasion hasn’t started five days ago. It started eight years ago… since or even before 2014,” Dzhyoyeva said. “...it was just a question not of if (Russia would invade), but a question of when.”

Bohdan agreed the invasion had been ongoing and added that the attitude of some Ukrainians toward Russia has changed. “It’s not an easy process,” he said. “It’s all Ukrainian spirit. And the majority of the political leaders–they have become nationalists, and it’s very difficult to conquer them. That’s why we still have independent Ukraine up to this point.”

Former Virginia Governor and U.S. Ambassador Jim Gilmore Gives Inaugural Gentry Locke Lecture

Ambassador Jim Gilmore was the inaugural speaker for the Gentry Locke lecture series hosted by Ferrum College on November 14, 2022. The event was attended by community members, alumni, faculty, staff and students.

While Gilmore is probably best known to attendees as a former Governor of Virginia, he spoke primarily about his most recent experience as U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Ukraine. Following his term as ambassador, Gilmore led a delegation sponsored by the American Foreign Policy Council to assess the status of Ukraine. The delegation conducted numerous meetings in Kyiv, and continued to Mariupol and battlefield visits in southern Ukraine.

Gilmore provided a brief history of the conflicts in and around Ukraine and shared his perspective on the current state of the conflict including the United States’ role.

The lecture series is a partnership between Ferrum College and Gentry Locke, a prominent Virginia law firm with offices in Roanoke, Lynchburg and Richmond. The Gentry Locke lecture series will bring two experts and thought leaders to the College per academic year to discuss current social and cultural topics of interest.

Article excerpt written by Marina J. Powell, assistant editor of The Iron Blade.

Forged As One

Ferrum College welcomed students, faculty and staff to campus for the start of the 2022–2023 academic year with the theme Forged As One . During a variety of activities and events, the community was reminded of the importance of working together, forged as one, for the greater good of Ferrum College and its students.

Dear Ferrum College Family,

It is hard to believe the 2022 calendar year is behind us, which marks the end of my third year as a member of this community. It has certainly been a wild ride, one of which I have been honored to be a part of.

Last year marked a moment in time where we finally felt a sense of normalcy. The COVID-19 restrictions placed on our student-athletes lessened as the year went on, and we were able to continue to compete in a safe manner. All this has been due to the dedication, commitment and care of our entire athletic staff. The teamwork and commitment that it took to pull us through a difficult environment is inspiring and one in which all members of the Ferrum community can be proud of.

Our coaches and support staff have continued to work diligently as we navigate our way through the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Every sport in the ODAC is filled with national title contenders, which means our students get the opportunity to compete against the very best each game. In doing so, the support of all of you, Panther Nation, has never been more important.

And you have shown up! This past fiscal year saw us reach new heights in athletic fundraising, as over $600,000 was raised to support all of our varsity athletic programs. This includes our Batting 1.000 Campaign, which allowed us to break ground on the Vickie Van Kleeck Softball Complex and put us on track to have our renovated softball facility completed in time for the 2023 softball season.

As we close the book on 2022 and look forward to a promising 2023, I just wanted to thank everyone in the Ferrum community for your continued support. Your support in attending games on campus, or when we compete on the road, is inspiring to our students and staff. Additionally, your philanthropy in providing financial assistance to support all 27 of our Panther teams allows our students the opportunity to see that their connection to Ferrum doesn’t end when they graduate.

Thank you for your continued support of Ferrum College. Whether you are donating your time, your talent, or your treasure, it means more than you will ever know.

Go Panthers!

John Sutyak Director of Athletics

Ferrum College Recognizes Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022

Ferrum College recognized the Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022 during a ceremony on Saturday, November 12, 2022, in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room in Franklin Hall on campus. These individuals excelled in one or more sports while at Ferrum College, exemplifying the highest ideals of small college athletics, sportsmanship, and the spirit of Ferrum’s motto, “Not Self, But Others.” They have since gone on to achieve significant success in a career field.

The Class of 2022 included three former football players, a three-sport student-athlete, and a golfer.

• Matthew Jordan ’95 of Lynchburg, VA, who played golf at Ferrum for Coach Ray Corron from 1992–95. He earned Dixie Academic All-Conference in 1992, All-District in 1993 and 1994, and was Ferrum’s first-ever NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Tournament qualifier in 1993.Now, he is the co-owner of two businesses (Hawkins-Graves, Inc. and Scaffolding Solutions LLC), and a current member of Associated General Contractors.

• Jim Kitts ’94 of Carolina Beach, NC, who played football for Coach Hank Norton from 1990–93. Kitts was named to the 1993 Virginia Sports Information Directors All-State Team, as well as the 1993 Roanoke Times Small College All-State Team. He went on to play for multiple teams including the Arena Football Albany Firebirds, the NFL Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers and the Miami Dolphins. Now, Kitts is the Founder/Organizer of Carolina Beach Surf Church, and is the President/ Owner of Carolina Beach Realty.

• Andra Thomas ’90 of State College, PA, who was a three-sport student-athlete for Ferrum from 1987–90. She played volleyball two years for Coach Donna Doonan and two years for Coach Kelly Caputo, tennis two years under Coach Doonan, and basketball four years under Coach Doonan. Thomas has been employed at Penn State University Sports Medicine Staff for the past 31 years, currently serving as associate director of Athletic Training Services.

• Don Testerman ’73 of Danville, VA, who played football for Coach Hank Norton in 1973. He earned a scholarship to play football at Clemson University after leaving Ferrum, and also played college football at Virginia Tech and Lenoir-Rhyne. Testerman graduated from Clemson with honors, and served a year in the United States Navy. He was drafted in 1976 by the Miami Dolphins, and also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders. Testerman passed in 2018 and his son, Troy, accepted the award on his behalf.

• Frank C. Haywood, Jr. ’72, of Hayes, VA, who played football at Ferrum under Coach Hank Norton in 1971 and 1972. He earned All-Conference in 1972, before signing a scholarship to play at North Carolina State University in 1973. Haywood graduated from NC State in 1975 and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, but opted to play in the Canadian Football League, signing a contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. After retiring from professional football, he taught at Gloucester High School before establishing his own masonry/ construction business he has owned for the past 35 years.

of Athletics

Gary Holden was recently promoted to associate director of athletics, after serving the Panthers as sports information director since October 1991, assistant athletic director since January 2004, and acting director of athletics for six months in 2019.

“I am extremely happy that we are able to reward Gary with this promotion,” stated Director of Athletics John Sutyak. “Gary has been an unbelievable leader to so many people at Ferrum College, past and present. He represents everything that the College stands for in serving others above himself and in being an inspirational member of the entire community.”

While still serving as the sports information director, Holden will oversee 12 varsity sport programs in the department, as well as athletic facilities and various compliance functions. Holden will also lead Ferrum’s operations as the Panthers host the 2023 NCAA Division III Men’s Wrestling Championship at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, VA, in March 2023.

“Ferrum has been good to my family and me over the past 30+ years. I hope I’ve done my small part to make things better for studentathletes, coaches and teams,” said Holden.

Gary Holden Promoted to Associate Director

Sports Hall of Fame continued

of Ferrum College students are student-athletes

Allison Setlak Named Old Dominion Athletic Conference/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Women’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Ferrum College women’s soccer player Allison Setlak was named the 2022 Old Dominion Athletic Conference/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the conference’s athletic communications personnel.

Setlak, a senior midfielder from Cary, N.C., maintains a 3.98 grade point average as a Business Administration major with an emphasis in Business Management and a Spanish minor. The Boone Honors Program member and Ferrum Student Athlete Advisory Committee co-chair, is a threetime honoree on the ODAC All-Academic Team in addition to five appearances on the College’s President’s List and one Dean’s List distinction. Setlak led the team in total points with 17 during the 2022 season.

Setlak is a member of the Alpha Chi national honor society and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She is a two-year honors program mentor and tutors fellow students in biology and Spanish. She is a four-year volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, has served as a volunteer tax assistant for the VITA Program, and has also volunteered for Ferrum’s sports information operations.

This marks the first time a women’s soccer player has won this award and the fourth time a Ferrum student-athlete has been honored.

Jaylyn Gray-Palmore Awarded Inaugural Bob Davis Academic Grit Award as Football Player With Most Improved GPA

The Carter Center for Academic Success and the Panther Academic Den (PAD) awarded the inaugural Bob Davis Academic Grit Award to Jaylyn Gray-Palmore.

Gray-Palmore is majoring in Health and Human Performance and is an outside linebacker for the Ferrum College football team where he was selected as a 2022 team captain. He earned 2021–22 ODAC All-Academic Team honors and has earned Dean’s List recognition. Gray-Palmore is also a member of Ferrum’s Brother4Brother peer mentor program.

The Bob Davis Academic Grit award is given to the Ferrum football player who made the most improvement in GPA. Gray-Palmore is a cancer survivor. His positive and effervescent personality has led to teammates referring to him as a hype guy.

The award, named in memory of Coach Bob Davis, was made possible through a memorial gift from the Davis family following Coach Davis’ passing in May of 2021. The father-in-law of former head football coach Rob Grande, Coach Davis was an assistant defensive coach for the Panthers. He also served student-athletes as an academic tutor in the PAD. Coach Davis was loved and appreciated by all students with whom he interacted.

Ferrum College Dedicates Renovated Golf Driving Range to Expand Men’s and Women’s Golf Practice Opportunities on Campus

Ferrum College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday afternoon, March 11, to dedicate its renovated golf driving range located east of the campus near downtown Ferrum.

The renovated facility was dedicated to Ricky Cox, the late father of former Ferrum Head Men’s and Women’s Golf Coach Erick Cox ‘13.

The Ferrum golf driving range includes five driving markers, three moveable target baskets, three artificial hitting mats and a Bermuda tee box. A storage building was installed recently with a mower, aerator and lawn supplies.

The driving range improvements expand on-campus practice opportunities for Ferrum men’s and women’s golfers, which also include an indoor simulator room with putting green in Swartz Gym.

“This renovation is an important improvement as we work to advance our golf programs,” stated Director of Athletics John Sutyak. “I am thankful for all of the hard work that [former] Coach Cox and his team put into beginning this process, as well as our donors who stepped in and helped expedite these renovations to the facility.”

Ferrum College Selected to Host NCAA Men’s Division III Wrestling Tournament in March

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) selected Ferrum College to host the 2023 Division III Men’s Wrestling Championships, which will be held March 10–11, 2023 at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, VA.

“The opportunity to host the NCAA D3 National Championships for the second time as an institution is a testament to the hard work of our staff who ran a phenomenal NCAA tournament in 2019. I am excited for our local wrestling fans to see some of the best wrestling in the country and inspire the youth to dream big. We are grateful for the Berglund Center, Roanoke Valley Wrestling Association, VBR Sports, College staff, and everyone who will be involved in creating a great atmosphere for these student-athletes who are striving to achieve lifelong goals,” said Men’s Wrestling Head Coach Logan Meister.

Since joining the NCAA Div. III ranks in 1985, Ferrum’s first effort in hosting a national championship was when the Panthers hosted the NCAA Div. III Wrestling Championship in March 2019 at the Berglund Center. The Panthers also hosted the 2018 NCAA Southeast Regional in Rocky Mount, VA, and the 2015 NCAA Div. III Wrestling East Regional at the Berglund Center.

Groundbreaking for Vickie Van Kleeck Softball Complex Celebrates Improvements to Enhance Game Day Experience for Players and Fans

Ferrum College held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Vickie Van Kleeck Softball Complex during Homecoming in October to celebrate the start of construction of the new softball facility that is named in honor of Coach Van Kleeck and her 24 years of service as head softball coach for the Panthers. Improvements will include new club-level seating, a new press box, locker rooms, and other amenities to enhance the game day experience for the players and fans.

Coach Van Kleeck compiled almost 600 career wins in her 26 seasons as a head softball coach. She posted 17 winning seasons in 24 years at Ferrum and led the Panthers to win multiple USA South Athletic Conference season titles and USA South tournament titles, as well as multiple appearances in the NCAA Division III Softball Championships. She was the 1989 New South Athletic Conference Softball Coach of the Year and the 2013 USA South Softball Coach of the Year. Coach Van Kleeck also served on the NCAA Softball Rules Committee from 2008–13, the final two years as National Chair. She also served from 2005–15 as Ferrum College’s senior woman administrator within the department of athletics.

A formal dedication ceremony will be held this spring once the facility improvements are completed.

Longtime Women’s Basketball Head Coach Donna Doonan Remembered by Players and Friends

A group of Ferrum College women’s basketball alumnae and friends gathered December 3, 2022, at Swartz Gym to celebrate the life and legacy of longtime women’s basketball coach Donna Doonan, who passed away in October 2021.

Doonan’s players and friends remembered her by hanging a memorial sign in the Swartz Gym lobby, and then shared lunch and stories in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room in Franklin Hall. Afterward, the group met back in Swartz Gym to cheer on the Ferrum women’s basketball team as they battled rival Randolph-Macon College.

In addition to coaching women’s basketball, Doonan served as senior woman administrator within the department of athletics, and coached four other sports. She also taught a number of courses during her tenure at the College. A pioneer in women’s athletics, Doonan joined the Panther coaching staff in the fall of 1976 after earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Lynchburg College.

Ferrum alumna Kelly Caputo ’87 said of Doonan, “She loved what she did and cared deeply about everybody. She taught us more than basketball.”

Dear Ferrum Family,

This year marks Ferrum College’s 110th year as an institution of learning and discovery. Ferrum’s journey from a training school to a college was paved by pioneers and visionaries who believed in our mission and our community. This thought has crossed my mind a lot over the past year, particularly as Ferrum enters 2023 with a goal of reaffirming its mission and values while embracing innovation and progress. It is easy to overlook the foresight and unwavering commitment Ferrum’s earliest visionaries had for this place. Even our motto, Not Self, But Others, an inseparable part of the Ferrum story, was brought into existence by Ferrum’s first president, Dr. Benjamin Beckham, with an earlier iteration of: “Not to be ministered unto, but to minister.”

One of the things I enjoy most about our work is finding opportunities to celebrate and honor the lives and legacies of those who have left, and continue to leave, a lasting mark on Ferrum College. In 2021, this culminated in a year-long campaign, It’s the People, in which we profiled over 50 individuals who make up the heart and soul of our school.

Last year, we were able to recognize a few of those individuals through capital improvements on campus. Following successful fundraising campaigns, we held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Richard L. Smith Center for International Programs in April 2022. In the fall, we celebrated the groundbreaking of what will become the Vickie Van Kleeck Softball Complex. We also unveiled the Donna Doonan Memorial in Swartz gym lobby, recognizing the life and contributions of former women’s basketball coach, Donna Doonan, who passed away in the fall of 2021.

With each new initiative, I am reminded of our own collective responsibility for future generations of Ferrum students and supporters. Tomorrow’s leaders will inherit the work that we do today. Looking back on this past year, I am proud of the work we do and the progress we have made. Fundraising has increased 62% in the past two years, and we have seen considerable growth in scholarships, first-time donors, and capital improvements to the College.

There is still plenty left to do – there always is. Ferrum’s 110th year is a rebirth in many ways, harkening back to our earliest days where we relied on grit, determination, and conviction. Fortunately for us, we can learn from the visionaries of yesterday to shape Ferrum College for tomorrow.

Thank you for a fantastic year, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

With Panther Pride,

Wilson Paine ’07 Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Outstanding Alumni Honored During October Awards Ceremony

Ferrum College recognized three outstanding alumni (left to right) – Carthan Currin, III ’84, Phyllis Karavatakis ’76, and Matthew Woods ’11 – during its annual Alumni Awards Ceremony, which was held on Sat., Oct. 15 in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room in Franklin Hall. The event also recognized the Class of 1972 as members of Golden Panthers.

Woods received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award for demonstrating professional and personal success since graduating from Ferrum College. A resident of Rocky Mount, VA, Woods has assisted students, educators, and schools in a variety of roles for more than 12 years. His professional experience includes being a high school social studies teacher, middle and high school assistant principal, middle school principal, director of student support services, adjunct professor, and field instructor at the collegiate level for student-teachers. Woods’ leadership and innovative approaches have been recognized by numerous organizations including ASCD (Emerging Leaders Class 2021) and he is the recipient of LG’s Happiness League Award.

In accepting the award, Woods shared how faculty and staff at Ferrum encouraged and challenged him to not settle for anything less than achieving his dreams. “What I didn’t realize at the time, and what I have come to appreciate as I have gotten older, is that folks were investing their time and effort into me to help me grow, mature, and live up to my full potential. What Ferrum did for me, and has done for countless others, is instill that mindset and fundamental belief in the motto, Not Self, But Others.”

Currin received the Distinguished Alumni Award for his exceptional career achievement and service to

his community, as well as his active involvement at Ferrum College as a student and alumnus. Currin’s distinguished career in public service and economic development includes executive positions with the City of Petersburg, the County of Brunswick, and the City of Richmond. He currently serves as the president of the Commonwealth Alliance for Rural Colleges.

Thanking his “Ferrum family” after accepting his award, Currin said, “What Ferrum [College] means to me is friendship, foundation, and future. Whatever accomplishments I’ve had in my life, I owe much of that success to the stellar education I received at Ferrum.”

Karavatakis received the Beckham Medallion— the highest tribute bestowed upon a Ferrum College alumnus/a—for demonstrating exceptional career success, service to her community, and dedication to Ferrum College. Karavatakis is a proven C-suite executive recognized for driving organizational change, business transformation, and continuous improvement. For more than 25 years, Karavatakis has been a senior/executive level manager for Carter Bank & Trust, a community bank with $4 billion in assets.

Karavatakis has held multiple executive appointments including chair and Audit Committee chair of the Ferrum College Board of Trustees; president and board director of Southside Business Technology Center/ The Launch Place; chair of the Foundation Committee of Piedmont Arts; chair of the Martinsville and Henry County Chamber of Commerce; and a board member of United Way of Martinsville & Henry County, Patrick Henry Community College Foundation, and Southern Virginia Recreation Facilities Authority.

“I was a first generation college student, and I was naive as to what opportunities were open to women with a college degree. If not for Ferrum, there would not have been the opportunity to go to [the University of Richmond], and the opportunity to land my dream job. The special interest the College deans, faculty and staff give to students then and now is what makes this such a special place,” said Karavatakis.

Long-time Alumni Director Tracy Holley ’96 Transitions To Director of First Year Experience

Ferrum College alumna Tracy Holley ’96 transitioned from her long-time role as director of Alumni and Family Programs to become the inaugural director of the First-Year Experience and First@Ferrum programs in the Carter Center for Academic Success (CCAS).

In her new role, Tracy works with Dean of Academic Success Dave Wiggins, CCAS team members, faculty, and staff to create and provide programming for all first-year and first-generation college students to promote retention and success.

Holley’s new position is supported in part by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, which recently awarded Ferrum College a $143,000 grant to support the CCAS in expanding and initiating academic support programs.

Holley is uniquely qualified to step into this role, and she is excited to begin a new chapter in her career at Ferrum College. “For over twenty years, I have had the pleasure of working with successful Ferrum College graduates once they leave our campus as alumni. In my new role, I look forward to supporting our first-year and first-generation students by personally working with them faceto-face on a daily basis,” said Holley.

2022 Panther Toast

On April 22, 2022, Ferrum College alumni, campus community members, and friends of the College joined in a virtual #PantherToast in honor of the Class of 2022 and the Ferrum family.

Gary Ingram ’77 Reflects On How Much Ferrum College Has Meant to Him and What He Owes His Hometown College

Gary Ingram graduated with an associate degree in Chemistry from Ferrum College in 1977 when it was still a junior college. A Ferrum community native, Ingram says that the College was a big influence in his life before he ever became a student. Growing up, he spent many hours on the Ferrum campus with friends whose parents worked at the College and has fond memories of playing basketball in the gym.

Although a lot has changed since his days running around campus as a kid, he still finds time to visit. With each visit, Ingram reflects on how much Ferrum has meant to him and how much he owes to his hometown college.

“Ferrum College is so important to the community. It offers students a diverse range of academics and gives so many students the opportunity to attend college that might not be able to attend otherwise,” said Ingram, who continues to give back to the College.

Since graduating, Ingram has enjoyed a successful career in the glass and mirror industry. He has been part-owner in Finch Industries for 20 years, a leading supplier of decorative glass and mirror products. Ingram lives in the Greensboro, NC, area with his wife of 33 years, Georgeanne. He’s also the proud dad of daughters Laura, Meg and Marci, and grandfather of Emma, Natalie, and Abigail.

Bryan Slater ’82 Tapped To Be Virginia’s Secretary of Labor and Receives Ringing Endorsement from Virginia’s Head of State

Bryan Slater ’82 was tapped by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to be the Commonwealth’s Secretary of Labor. The appointment came on Jan. 6, 2022, accompanied by a ringing endorsement from Virginia’s Head of State.

“Workforce development will play a crucial part in jumpstarting our economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Youngkin said upon selecting Slater.

“Bryan’s experience and leadership will be critical to the development of talent, training of workers, and protection of Virginia’s right-to-work laws that will attract investment to Virginia,” continued Youngkin.

Slater brings a wealth of experience to the governor’s administration. Most recently, he served as Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management at the U.S. Department of Labor and Assistant Secretary of Administration for the U.S. Department of Transportation under President Trump.

And now, after more than 20 years in politics, Slater still credits Ferrum as the kick start to his career. “Ferrum gave me a chance to prove myself. If it hadn’t been for Ferrum, none of this would have been possible,” he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Derek R. Baird ’96 Speaks During Veterans Day Ceremony on Campus

Ferrum College alumnus Lieutenant Colonel Derek R. Baird ’96 was the keynote speaker during the 2022 Veterans Day Ceremony in Vaughn Chapel on campus.

During his remarks, LTC Baird spoke about values learned from his WWII-veteran grandfather and from the U.S. Army. “One, in particular, jumps out at me today – selfless service. I am reminded of a certain motto I learned 30 years ago while attending a small private Methodist college nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains…Not Self, But Others,” said Baird.

“Selfless service and Not Self, But Others go hand-inhand…they require sacrifice, dedication, and purpose. They are what allows each of us to come together from all walks of life…to join the military, to keep our country safe, and its citizens safe and free,” continued Baird.

Originally from Virginia Beach, VA, LTC Baird enlisted in 1997 and was selected for Officer Candidate School and commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery in 2000. LTC Baird’s assignments have included deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Europe. LTC Baird is currently a student at the United States Army War College. He is married to the former Jolinda Bandy from Ohio, and they have two dogs, Layla and Joker.

David Garten ’98 Draws Straight Line From His Time at Ferrum College to His Professional Success

Inside Rockefeller Center, David Garten (pictured with his wife, Melanie, and son, Rohan) looks outside his office window at the bustling city streets of Manhattan. Despite working in one of the most iconic areas of New York City, Garten reminisces of the beauty seen in the night sky above Ferrum College. “At night you see more stars than you ever could possibly believe,” recalls Garten.

After graduating from Ferrum College with a B.S. in Social Work, Garten worked in the juvenile justice and specialized foster care system before attending graduate school at Columbia University where he earned dual master’s degrees in Social Policy and Public Administration and quickly found himself working on Capitol Hill for former U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton of New York.

Garten’s time in D.C. and New York politics prepared him for his current gig: New York real estate. He is currently employed by RXR, a real estate and infrastructure development company in New York City, as the senior vice president of Corporate Affairs. Garten draws a straight line from his time at Ferrum to his professional success, stating, “It has been instrumental in helping me navigate from the worlds of bareknuckle D.C. and New York politics to [the world of] New York real estate.”

Dalais Woods ’20 Breaks Into the Music Business and Credits Graphic Arts Coursework With Aiding His Musical Endeavors

Dalais Woods ’20 was driving down a North Carolina road when he got a call from a friend. The friend told Woods to turn on the radio. He scanned the dial until he heard a familiar song, Rejoice featuring Tray Gibbs. He knew every word—even sang along.

The reason Woods knew every word wasn’t because it was a radio favorite of his. The reason is because Woods wrote and recorded the song. The budding musician was hearing himself for the first time on the airwaves.

Since that time, Woods has been putting more and more time and energy into his music, and it seems to be paying off. One aspect that has allowed Woods to focus on his music, he says, is the education he received at Ferrum. The Graphic Arts graduate credits his coursework with aiding his musical endeavors.

“Ferrum really opened up some doors to prepare me for my career. During my graphic design classes, I loved to design album covers, edit photos and make logos,” said Woods.

“With that knowledge I can now design my own album covers, edit my own photos, and create a logo for myself,” continued Woods.

Ferrum College Alumna and Former Boone Honors Program Member

Suzie Maines ’21 Finds Success and Fulfillment in Madrid

Ferrum College alumna and former Boone Honors Program member Suzie Maines ’21 (pictured with her boyfriend, Diego) double majored in Spanish and International Studies. A native of Winchester, VA, Maines works in Madrid, Spain, teaching English and language skills to high school students through the North American Language and Culture Program.

During her time at Ferrum College and with the support of a Boone Honors Program travel scholarship, Maines studied abroad in both Seville, Spain in summer 2019 and in Havana, Cuba for the fall 2019 semester.

Maines reflected on how the Boone Honors Program impacted her life, the extra opportunities the program added to her educational experience at Ferrum College, and how honors education benefited her upon graduation and beyond.

“The Boone Honors Program gave me the opportunity to make friends and [meet] professors who inspired me to make the most of my time at Ferrum,” said Maines. “Now that I’ve graduated from Ferrum, I continue to seek out new opportunities abroad. This wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the experiences I had in Ferrum and in the Boone Honors Program.”

Homecoming Weekend 2022

Ferrum College was excited to welcome alumni, students, families, employees, and friends to campus for Homecoming 2022 festivities on October 14 &15. The weekend included the Vickie Van Kleeck Softball Facility groundbreaking ceremony, a Ferrum Takeover at Mellow Mushroom in Roanoke, the Agriculture Club reunion breakfast, the Alumni Awards Ceremony, alumni athletic games, tailgating, a bluegrass/old-time music jam, Panther football against the W&L Generals, a Boone Honors Program reunion dinner, a men’s basketball reunion, and more!

Ferrum College Announces the Endowment of the Carolyn L. Thomas Memorial Fund

On Earth Day 2022, Ferrum College announced the endowment of the Carolyn L. Thomas Memorial Fund, which will provide critical support to the College’s natural science programs. Established in memory of Faculty Emerita of Environmental Science Carolyn Lee Thomas, who passed away in January 2020, the fund will primarily support experiential learning projects for students in environmental science, agriculture, and biology.

A beloved member of the Ferrum College community, Thomas taught environmental science at the College for more than 41 years. In addition to her work on campus, Thomas loved the learning that occurred outside the classroom. She and her husband, Faculty Emeritus of Biology and Agriculture Bob Pohlad, traveled to all 50 states as well as to numerous locations around the world, including the Galapagos Islands, and took groups of Ferrum College students for Experiential-term adventures to the Virgin Islands and Ireland.

“Our family is deeply appreciative and overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone’s gifts to honor my soulmate Carolyn’s memory with this endowed fund. Generated funds used for experiential learning are exactly what she would want,” said Pohlad. “Her legacy will live on through the use of this fund.”

Ferrum College Dedicates Richard L. Smith Center for International Programs with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Ferrum College hosted a ribbon cutting and reception celebrating the new Richard L. Smith Center for International Programs on Friday, April 22, 2022. The ribbon cutting took place in Hart International Plaza beside Stanley Library, which is home to the new international center. A reception in the lobby of Grousbeck Hall followed.

Named in memory of the late professor of History and Williams Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Humanities, Richard Lee Smith, who was an avid world traveler, the newly named international center welcomes students from around the world to campus; opens the world to Ferrum students through study abroad; and offers programs designed to broaden perspectives and help students connect to the rest of the world.

Smith, who died on February 24, 2021 at the age of 75, taught history at Ferrum College for 42 years. As a college professor, Smith taught more than 8,000 students, over 7,000 of them at the College. He was also a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother; a teacher and storyteller; an internationally recognized top scholar; an author; and a warmhearted and generous member of the Ferrum community.

Ferrum College Receives $143,000 Jessie Ball duPont Grant to Support Carter Center for Academic Success

Ferrum College was awarded $143,000 in grant funding by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund to support the Carter Center for Academic Success in expanding and initiating programs intended to ensure equity in student outcomes, student academic success, and persistence.

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund is a charitable foundation based in Jacksonville, Florida that strives to lift up members of society who have historically been prevented from accessing basic opportunities, and operates within communities with which Jessie Ball duPont had a personal connection.

For educational institutions, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund focuses on increasing retention and/or graduation rates of first-generation, low-income, and underserved students at private and public universities. The $143,000 grant award will support Ferrum College’s academic support services to increase the academic performance, persistence, and graduation of first-generation students, low income students, and students with disabilities who demonstrate an academic need for support.

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund grant will be funded for two years. Upon completion of the second year, progress and outcomes will be reviewed to potentially fund a third year.

Ferrum College Successfully Completes “Batting a 1.000” Campaign, Far Exceeding Original Goal

The Ferrum College softball team will soon enjoy an enhanced facility after the College successfully completed its “Batting a 1.000” campaign for a new softball complex, named after Hall of Fame softball coach Vickie Van Kleeck.

The College raised over $330,000 from 119 donors for the new complex, far exceeding its original goal of $100,000 by June 30, 2022.

“I couldn’t be more thankful for the many donors who helped make our Batting a 1.000 campaign a success,” stated Director of Athletics John Sutyak.

“This was a true team effort to get us to our goal, which included our alumni, parents, staff, faculty, friends and a number of our current Ferrum softball student-athletes contributing to the campaign. The future is bright for Ferrum College softball,” continued Sutyak.

“It was a pleasure to work with so many friends and alumni on this campaign. The success of this fundraising effort will allow Ferrum College to build the best softball stadium in the ODAC and one of the best in all of Division III,” stated Director of Development Bart Smith.

$10,000 Gift by Tracy R. Frist Will Support Preservation of Appalachian Literature and Folktales

Former Ferrum College student and longtime supporter of the College, Tracy R. Frist, made a $10,000 gift to Ferrum College to support the College’s Appalachian Literature project (AppLit) and the digitizing and archiving needs of the Blue Ridge Institute & Museum (BRIM).

“Tracy’s generous gift to the BRIM archive will provide us with the resources we need to digitize collections of folktales and songs so that they will be easily available for public use,” said Bethany Worley, director of the Blue Ridge Institute & Museum.

AppLit is an online resource created by Tina L. Hanlon, professor of English at Ferrum College, to serve as an archive of Appalachian literature for children and young adults. Frist’s own original animal tale, “Mountain Marbles: An Appalachian Tale,” is archived on the site.

Frist said Hanlon’s course enlightened her about the value of folktales and inspired her to support the ongoing preservation work through Ferrum College. “Dr. Hanlon taught me preservation of culture, history and diversity lies in storytelling. Ferrum College and the greater Appalachian community is full of powerful and transformative stories. I want to be a part of saving these stories with this rich cultural evidence and making them accessible to everyone,” said Frist.

Blue Ridge Institute and Museum Receives Local Historian Dorothy Cundiff’s Collection of Research and Memorabilia

The Blue Ridge Institute and Museum (BRIM), located at Ferrum College, recently received a donation of local Franklin County historian Dorothy Cundiff’s collection, which consists of eight file cabinets containing years of Cundiff’s research on Franklin County history plus other memorabilia. Cundiff, a Franklin County lifelong resident, dedicated years of her life to researching the county’s local history and produced forty-two pictorial history books.

BRIM Director Bethany Worley was excited to receive the gift of Cundiff’s collection, as well as an endowment to support the preservation of the collection. Worley noted BRIM is honored to be entrusted with Cundiff’s lifelong work.

“We will honor her wishes and make sure her legacy lives on so that others can use and benefit from all her labor. Clearly, she loved history. She found history in everything and everyone,” Worley said.

According to Worley, it will take many hours to research, catalog, identify, and digitize the collection for widespread public use. In addition, the BRIM will share a sample of the collection at The Depot in Rocky Mount, VA.

Ferrum College Celebrates 62% Increase in Giving Over the Last Two Years; Finishes Year with Over $3 Million Raised

Ferrum College raised over $3.1 million last fiscal year (July 1, 2021–June 30, 2022), surpassing last year’s total by more than $500,000 and the total raised in 2020 by more than $1.1 million.

During two giving days in 2021, the College raised more than $250,000 from 384 donors, including $203,116 for the College’s Ferrum Fund, an unrestricted fund that covers scholarships, academic programming, and student research opportunities at the College.

Over $835,000 was raised for scholarships and another $600,000 was awarded through grants to provide academic and financial support to the College’s students. The College also continued its trend in athletics fundraising, raising well over $400,000 for facility improvements and team support.

1,170 donors contributed to the year’s fundraising success, including 178 members of the Arthur Society, which recognizes those who make annual gifts of at least $1,000 to the College over the fiscal year.

“I am thankful to our alumni and supporters who recognize the important role Ferrum College plays for our students, our community, and our region,” said Vice President of Institutional Advancement and External Relations Wilson Paine ‘07.

Ferrum College Welcomes Sarah H. Bowman as Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Relations

Ferrum College welcomed Sarah H. Bowman, JD, to the campus community as associate vice president for Institutional Advancement. In her new role, Bowman provides leadership, direction, and coordination for internal and external communications, marketing, alumni relations, special programs, and events.

An Alleghany County native and graduate of Covington High School, Bowman received her Bachelor of Arts in history and English from the University of Virginia in 2003 and her Juris Doctor from Campbell University in 2007. Her career has been rich with experience in the legal profession, sales and marketing, recruitment, and advancement in a variety of settings including corporate, educational, and nonprofit organizations.

Growing up in the Roanoke Valley, Bowman knows the value and legacy of Ferrum College to the region. “I grew up in Alleghany County and my husband’s family has been part of the agricultural and educational communities of Franklin County for generations. We are very happy to come home to the mountains to be a part of the invaluable service Ferrum College and its alumni provide to Southwest Virginia and beyond,” said Bowman.

Makayla Fincanon ’24 and JaQuice Sydnor ’23 Speak to Giving Societies Members Gathered to Celebrate Giving Impact

Ferrum College Arthur, 1913, and Beckham Giving Societies members gathered in September to celebrate the impact of the $3.2 million the College received during the 2021–2022 fiscal year. Donors met two students—Makayla Fincanon and JaQuice Sydnor—who shared how the donors’ ongoing financial support made their college experience possible.

Fincanon, a junior Political Science major, explained how the sense of community at Ferrum has equipped her to dream big and pursue a career as a criminal law attorney. “Ferrum made me believe no dream is too big [and that] the sky truly is the limit when you have such a strong foundation of people rooting for you,” said Fincanon.

Attendees also heard from Sydnor, a senior Recreation Leadership major, who shared his inspirational story of overcoming a difficult childhood to being a senior at college. He detailed how he has learned much more than academics during his Ferrum College experience, including the importance of perspective, financial responsibility, and mental health. “Ferrum put great people in my life to hold expectations for me and point out the greatness I had inside of me. I would like to thank Ferrum for accepting me as one of their own and pushing the boy in me to become a man. The values I now carry with me everyday were born in this very place. I know that my possibilities are endless,” said Sydnor.

Thank You To Our 2021–2022 Honor Roll of Donors

The Arthur Society

The Arthur Society recognizes those who give $1,000 or more to the College over the fiscal year (July 1–June 30).

• President’s Circle: $5,000 and up

• Leadership Circle: $1,000–4,999

1913 Society

The 1913 Society recognizes those who make cumulative outright and/or irrevocable gifts to Ferrum College of $100,000 or more.

The Ruth Society

The Ruth Society recognizes those who give to Ferrum College for 3+ consecutive years.

The Beckham Society

The Beckham Society recognizes those who name Ferrum College as a beneficiary of bequests, charitable trusts, life insurance policies, gift annuities, or other deferred gift arrangements.

The Panther Club

The Panther Club recognizes those who give to Ferrum College athletics to support our athletics teams and facilities.

For the 2021–2022 Honor Roll of Donors, please visit: ferrum.edu/giving-societies

Overall Contributions

$3,183,419*

* Fiscal year 2021–22

Total Number of Gifts Giving Day

FY2022: 2,123

2022: $119,000

FY2021: 2,078

2021: $109,382

FY2020: 1,777

2020: $112,601

FY2019: 1,414

2019: $52,958

Arthur Society Members Endowment

FY2022: $58,180,012

FY2021: $66,146,540

FY2020: $52,306,519

FY2019: $53,671,188

FY2018: $52,886,524

$26,768,723

TOTAL REVENUE

FY2022: 178

FY2021: 174

FY2020: 159

FY2019: 137

Net Tuition and Fees

$11,836,310 (44%)

Auxiliary Services

$9,906,496 (37%)

Investment Income

$2,664,591 (10%)

Contributions

$880,000 (3%)

Grants

$566,729 (2%)

Other Income

$914,597 (4%)

$28,915,808 TOTAL EXPENSES

Auxiliary Services

$7,445,040 (26%)

Student Services

$7,448,185 (26%)

Instruction

$7,250,178 (25%)

Institutional Support

$5,331,647 (18%)

Academic Support

$1,440,758 (5%)

Blue Ridge Folklife Festival

The 49 th annual Blue Ridge Folklife Festival on Saturday, October 22, 2022, brought thousands to campus on a beautiful fall day to enjoy music, crafts, country foods, moonshine tasting, antique cars and tractors, contests for horses and hounds, and more. This popular festival received a third-place Best of Virginia award from Virginia Living Magazine in 2022.

Ferrum College freshman Bryson Lempeckski captured this beautiful sunset at Adams Lake on campus during the fall 2022 semester. Lempeckski is a Recreational Leadership major from Franklin County, VA.