Ferrum College 2023 Impact Report & Profess

INSIDE:

• Profess Highlights of Faculty Achievements

• Impact Report Your Impact on Students, Academics, & Athletics

Ferrum College and the Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) dedicated a new boat for their Water Quality Monitoring program in June 2023, thanks to the generosity of the American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation. For more than 35 years, SMLA and Ferrum College have partnered to monitor the water quality of Smith Mountain Lake. The AEP Foundation donated the boat because they believe in the overall program goals.

“The AEP Foundation has a lot of different categories that we look to fund, and this Ferrum College boat donation checked all of those boxes,” said Franklin County native and Ferrum College alumna and Board of Trustees member, Amanda Cox ’04, AEP’s external affairs manager. “I’m proud of our company for investing dollars into programs and partners that really make this a better place to live, work, and play.”

This publication is produced by the Offices of Academic Affairs and Institutional Advancement. Please send address changes by mail to the Office of Institutional Advancement, P.O. Box 1000, Ferrum, VA 24088-9000; call 540.365.4211; or email advancement@ferrum.edu.

CO-EDITORS

Laurie Adams '12, Lisa Bowling, Sarah Bowman, Maya Gasuk, Katherine Grimes, Tina Hanlon, Kristin Waters

CONTRIBUTORS

Lisa Bowling, Maya Gasuk, Sarah Bowman, Lindsey Foster ’23, Katherine Grimes, Gary Holden, Sarah Shuford ’18, Kristin Waters

PHOTO EDITORS

Lindsey Foster ’23, Brad Holley, Bob Pohlad, Sarah Shuford ’18, Kristin Waters

PHOTOGRAPHY

Dajah Berger, Sarah Bowman, David Campbell, Gary Holden, Brad Holley Photography, Taylor Huck ’25, Steve McClintic, Jr. (Editor/Smith Mountain Eagle), Bob Pohlad, Sarah Shuford ’18, Dean Thomas, Kristin Waters, Diana Yates, The Roanoke Times, Ferrum College Sports Information Office staff, and Ferrum College friends

DESIGN

Kristin Waters

ON THE COVER

Numerous students joined Ferrum College President Mirta Martin for a photo shoot with Professor Emeritus Bob Pohlad on a beautiful fall day in November.

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).

Dr. Mirta M. Martin was named Ferrum College’s 13th president on October 27, 2023. After only a few months with Ferrum College, Martin was hailed as a strategic visionary and leader of action, launching much lauded programs like the Panther Promise and tuition reduction. Her exceptional intellect and drive for success are balanced by faith, compassion, and equal measures of charm and warm hugs. She works from the heart, as she hopes to pave the path for students who are experiencing challenges similar to her own as a young immigrant.

She sees the great potential of Ferrum College students and is willing to push through barriers for them. The genuineness of her care means Ferrum’s students get to know her on a personal basis.

The charge at the top is challenging, but Martin knows just what is needed to serve Ferrum College’s mission. Although she frequently reminds people that Ferrum College is alive, well, and open for business today, she doesn’t take that status for granted. She is working as hard as it takes to ensure a bright future for Ferrum College…and has a solid plan to get it there.

While it’s not easy to find our president sitting still, we had a chance to sit and ask her a few questions about Ferrum College.

You have used the Book of Esther and her calling for “such a time as this” as an inspiration for your own journey personally and professionally. How does it reflect your passion and calling to Ferrum College?

Queen Esther is one of my heroes from the Bible. Like me, she found herself without parents in a foreign land, with little family and uncertain prospects for her future. During a tumultuous moment in time, she spoke up at great personal risk, and her words, her courage, saved the Hebrew nation. She had faith that God had a plan for her—for “such a time as this.”

The time has come to speak up, to support, to pray, and to act to save for future generations the educational and personal values that are the bedrock of a Ferrum College education. Just as it did for Esther, “such a time” has come for us. Hesitation is not an option.

The Roanoke Times

Ferrum College has faced great challenges before, and the necessity of our mission and God’s grace have sustained us. In 1943, after the financial strain of World War II, Ferrum College’s new president, Luther Derby, wrote a letter to the Methodist Conference asking them to consider if the mission of Ferrum College was vital to the life of the Conference and the Commonwealth of Virginia. “If it does have a vital place,” he wrote, “then we should give ourselves with all that we have to ensure it succeeds.”

I asked myself that same question before I accepted my role at Ferrum College, and my answer was emphatically “Yes, more than ever before.”

What is your “vision” for Ferrum College?

We have been and always will be “the Opportunity College of Virginia,” providing the hands-on, extra care and support needed for our students to succeed. We give our students the opportunity and skills to discover and develop their passions, to be good citizens, to be of service to others, to thrive in their personal and professional lives, and to make a positive impact in their communities and throughout the world. My vision for Ferrum College builds on our liberal arts roots and adds value to Ferrum College’s unrivaled, high-touch education by infusing our programs and curricula with in-demand job and professional skills. I call it Liberal Arts Plus, and it’s an advantage that will differentiate us from other institutions. Our goal is to make Ferrum College the destination of choice for those seeking an unparalleled, hands-on, skills-laden, world-ready educational experience.

How is Ferrum College adapting in a rapidly changing environment?

This is where Ferrum College shines! We’re small and nimble. We are blessed with a selfless, dedicated staff, and a collaborative and caring faculty who are curious, current, and passionate. They have shown a willingness to seek out and incorporate innovative and experiential teaching that responds to input from business and industry. We are committed to putting programs in place that will give Ferrum College students a competitive advantage when they graduate and will prepare them for careers that may not even exist yet.

This culture has allowed us to make changes to our programs and offerings intentionally and strategically to meet the interests of our students and the needs of the marketplace. We have aligned our curricula through six different schools: the School of Arts and Humanities; the School of Business and Technology; the School of Sciences and Agriculture; the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences; the School of Nursing and Allied Health; and the School of Graduate and Online Studies. This new structure will provide a clearer pathway to our students, 61% of whom are first-generation college students. We offer numerous experiential learning opportunities that give our students practical experience before they even leave Ferrum College. We are also developing over

100 micro-credentials within our courses, industry-recognized badges that will demonstrate that our students have mastered in-demand, job-ready skills.

We know future students will be more diverse than ever before. To attract future Panthers, we are looking at ways to leverage Ferrum College’s strength of identifying the promise in every student and providing the support and care each student needs. We are implementing programs that will increase the number of nontraditional students enrolled: growing our online degree completion and professional programs; and expanding dual enrollment, articulation agreements, and partnerships for Ferrum College degrees with international universities.

We have partnered with workforce academies to create stand-alone, credit-worthy, stackable certificates. These credentials allow non-traditional students the opportunity to earn an industry skill while also earning college credits. We will make it easier for individuals who have some college credits, or who are looking to grow in a trade, to complete an associate or baccalaureate degree.

College affordability is a hot topic nationally. How can Ferrum College remain affordable for students and their families?

The Panther Promise and our tuition reduction are two actions we’ve taken since I arrived that make a Ferrum College education more accessible an d affordable for families. These are game changers! Ferrum College is now one of the most affordable four-year institutions in Virginia.

We are keenly aware of the sacrifices our students and their families make to attend Ferrum College; 99% of our students receive institutional and/or federal financial aid. We adopted an academic calendar that gives our students six weeks during the Christmas break so they can earn money to pay for spring semester expenses. We also finish our spring semester two weeks earlier than most colleges and universities, giving our graduates a head start in the job market and our returning students a leg-up for securing summer jobs and internships.

These changes maximize our students’ ability to earn money while they are not in class, which we know can be the difference between staying enrolled and having to drop out.

What does success at Ferrum College look like to you?

You’ll often hear me say to prospective students, “I don’t want you to come to Ferrum College; I want you to graduate from Ferrum College.”

Having our students graduate in four years into meaningful careers or go on to graduate school would be my first measure of success. My second measure of success would be to ensure the College has the financial resources necessary to provide the support our students, our faculty, our staff, and our facilities deserve.

How can the community help?

We need everyone’s help to spread the word about the great opportunities and experiences Ferrum College provides. Talk to prospective students and their families about Ferrum College. Offer to bring them to campus. Stay up-to-date on what we are doing here. Support our student events. Sponsor an internship or give that recent Ferrum College grad a job. Offer to be a mentor to one of our current students. If you are not already receiving our news releases to stay informed, reach out to our Office of Marketing & Communications (marcomm@ferrum.edu) so we can add you to our distribution list!

All the wrap-around support and services we provide are free of charge for our students. They are at the heart of our mission. However, providing these incredible resources is not free. We can only provide them with the generous support of our donors, partners and stakeholders. Every gift makes a difference in our students’ lives.

Simon Sinek talks about the “Why?” as the compelling motivation for leaders. What is your “Why?”

I passionately believe in the transformative power of a college education. I’ve seen it in my own life. Scholarships, hard work, and the support of family and mentors paved my way, and because I had the opportunity to attend college, all of my siblings attended college, and so did all of our children. I know a college education can benefit not just one individual, but whole families and entire communities. It’s now my turn to give opportunities to others.

There is a desperate need in this country for a new generation of skilled, broadly educated, values-based leaders from all backgrounds and experiences. We need to give the next generation the critical skills to determine right from wrong, truth from fiction. We must teach them to communicate clearly and effectively, to serve others, to act ethically, to advocate for the common good, to be technically proficient, and to be resilient, creative, and compassionate.

For Ferrum College, this mission, these values, are not words on a page. They are our way of life. I believe in Ferrum College and the role it plays and must continue to play as we educate the next generation of leaders. That is why I am here.

Your husband John is working right alongside you to serve Ferrum College, albeit as a volunteer overseeing care of the campus facilities. He has called it “mission work.” What does that mean?

For John and me, “mission work“ is any action we can take, anything we can do to help Ferrum College fulfill its purpose. It could involve grounds and facilities, recruiting, philanthropy, mentorship—wherever there is a need, we are willing to step up and lead by example.

Tim Durham to Share International Experiences in the Classroom After Faculty Fellowship in Israel

Associate Professor of Crop Science Tim Durham joined 32 other professors from the United States whose areas of expertise included agriculture, civil engineering, sociology, and ecotourism to participate in the Jewish National FundUSA Faculty Fellowship Program, a two-week academic exchange program exploring Israeli history, politics, culture, and economy.

“The intent of the trip was to give professors a different view of how things really work in Israel,” said Durham, who learned about the current issues they are facing and about the culture and the history of the country. In addition to visiting the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, and Jerusalem, he also visited a kibbutz, a communally-owned farm in southern Israel where bananas, olives, dates, cabbage, and lettuce are grown. “They made an oasis in the desert and have to be really intentional with their irrigation. They are innovators and conservationists out of necessity, and use innovative desalination techniques because 97% of their water is recycled,” he explained.

After his time in Israel, Durham plans to bring more international elements to his classes, and consider ways to help Ferrum College students develop real-world problem-solving skills in pest management, disease management, irrigation, and fertility.

Lana Whited Publishes Fifth Book

Students of Harry Potter and the Hero Myth course and fans of the series about the Boy Who Lived will have the opportunity to examine the literary works through Professor of English Lana Whited’s spin as editor of a third volume on the author.

The Ivory Tower, Harry Potter, and Beyond: More Essays on the Works of J. K. Rowling echoes the title of the first volume of essays ever published on the series. Also edited by Whited, The Ivory Tower and Harry Potter was published in 2002. Since that time, she edited a collection of essays on The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and co-edited another collection on the Harry Potter series. In addition, Whited updated her dissertation on literature based on actual crimes. Murder, In Fact: Disillusionment and Death in the American True Crime Novel, published by McFarland Press, includes discussion of works by William Faulkner, Richard Wright, Truman Capote, John Grisham, and others.

Like Whited's first book, The Ivory Tower, Harry Potter, and Beyond is published by the University of Missouri Press. It includes essays on the Cormoran Strike books, which Rowling published under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith; the Fantastic Beasts film series; The Casual Vacancy; and The Ickabog, as well as chapters about the Harry Potter series. Reviews of the new volume are glowing, crediting Whited with pioneering a new and challenging era of J. K. Rowling studies.” Cecilia Konchar Farr, also a Rowling scholar, writes that “this collection is filled with erudition and insight, brightened by whimsy and playfulness. It is Harry Potter studies at its best!”

History Faculty Suttell and Greer Golda Speak to Lifelong Learners

Assistant Professor of History Brian Suttell and Associate Professor of History Nicole Greer Golda both presented their research during Center for Lifelong Learning programs at the Phoebe Needles Center in Callaway, VA, in the summer of 2023.

When we think of the Civil Rights Movement, we usually think of leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Medgar Evers. Yes, major figures led the movement, but thousands of other people participated. Suttell celebrated many of those activists, especially college students, in his new book Campus to Counter: Civil Rights Activism in Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina

In his presentation in June, Suttell revealed that the Civil Rights movement included stories of clandestine overtures such as a secret basketball game between the Black students of North Carolina College in Durham and the all-white Duke medical school team. He also discussed his interviews with such Civil Rights leaders as Andrew Young.

For her presentation in July, Producing the Ford Man, Greer Golda spoke about another significant historical figure, Henry Ford, who had a broader impact on society than is generally recognized. Greer Golda explained that when Ford launched his Ford Motor Company in the early twentieth century, he wanted to perfect and control all aspects of automobile production. Because Ford also wanted to create the perfect workforce, he and his team developed a plan to create the ideal “Ford Man.” Their methods of workforce management raised bigger questions about workplace control versus personal identity, immigration policy, and the development of American corporations that still affect us today.

Delia Heck Attends Global United Nations Convention on Climate Change

The 28th session of the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change, or COP28, had representatives from 197 countries. Among the participants were King Charles III, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, and Professor of Environmental Science Delia Heck. One of the session’s first acts was to pledge more than $400 million to a loss and damage fund to help countries devastated by climate change.

Heck attended the conference as part of the delegation from the Episcopal Church. Heck has long been a proponent of environmental justice and was appointed as a conferee by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. In January 2024, Heck was also named interim provost for Ferrum College.

Ferrum College has a celebrated history of commitment to environmental education. Its Environmental Science program was one of the first to be established in the nation.

Retired? Not Bob Pohlad

Faculty Emeritus of Biology and Agriculture Bob Pohlad may be retired from the classroom, but he certainly is not retired from service to Ferrum College and the community.

Science students from the past few decades will remember Pohlad and his late wife, Carolyn Thomas, who, along with Joe Stogner, David Johnson, and others, developed Ferrum College's Environmental Science program. Often working together, Pohlad and Thomas taught various science courses at the College, received a grant to teach science to middle school students in the summer, received another grant to teach elementary school teachers how to use the schoolyard as a classroom, established a water quality monitoring program at Smith Mountain Lake, and took students to Ireland, the British Virgin Islands, Malawi, and Belize for experiential learning opportunities.

Pohlad stays just as busy in retirement. In addition to being faculty emeritus of Biology and Agriculture, Pohlad is senior scientist with the Smith Mountain Lake Water Quality Project, president of the Phoebe Needles Camp and Conference Center Board of Directors, co-president of the Ferrum Lions Club, vice chair of the Ferrum Forward community development group, and lector at St. Peter’s in-the-Mountains Episcopal Church. Ferrum College recognized Pohlad for his service to the College and community with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in spring 2023.

Those are just his official responsibilities. Pohlad also leads groups of hikers on plant identification tours, sails, hangs out with his grandchildren, and takes photos—lots of them. He attends numerous Ferrum College events each year, camera in hand, and photographs plays, musicians, the chapel, the lake, water birds, the bench commemorating Carolyn Thomas, students, alumni, and more. Through the eye of someone who knows Ferrum College intimately, his photos capture its beauty and story in perfect focus.

Stanley

Library Receives Thomas Nelson Page Collection

A collection of books by Southern writer Thomas Nelson Page has been given to Ferrum College's Stanley Library by retired University of North Carolina professor, Sherry L. Salyer, of Apex, N.C. Salyer was a teenager when her grandmother, Eleanor Elliott, gave her a book by Page she had likely received as a reward for good grades early in the 20th century.

In the days before the internet or Amazon or eBay, Salyer frequented used bookstores and sometimes found other works by Page—who romanticized the harsh realities of life in the antebellum South—and Salyer's collection eventually numbered about two dozen. Salyer gave her collection to Ferrum College because of her friendship with two members of the College's English faculty: Katherine Grimes, professor of English, and Lana Whited, professor of English and director of the Boone Honors Program. Salyer said the “dedication and longevity” that Grimes and Whited have shown to Ferrum College ensure that her collection will continue to be appreciated.

Students Share Capstone Projects During First

Graduate Symposium

“You all jumped into a pot of boiling water,” said then Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies Martha HaleyBowling as she opened Ferrum College’s first graduate symposium. The 2023 candidates for Master of Science degrees in Psychology and Athletic Coaching presented their capstone research projects to families, friends, and colleagues at the symposium in May.

Referring to the book The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change, Haley-Bowling celebrated the graduate students’ achievements, saying, “When exposed to boiling water, eggs become hardened; carrots get soft; but a coffee bean produces something else. You represent the one that produced something else. Your resilience and passion brought you to this place, and remember: the coffee bean will be stronger, smarter, more driven, more determined as a result of the process it went through in hot water.”

Karen Carpenter, director of the Athletic Coaching graduate program, introduced the inaugural graduates of Ferrum College’s newest master’s degree program. As a result of their graduate work, all the students gained new employment or received promotions.

Ryan Cooper, director of the Master of Science in Psychology program, introduced his students, who included college and high school faculty and staff as well as medical professionals. Rachael Ellis Crandall (pictured), a 2019 Ferrum College graduate, is a psychometrist for Carilion Clinic. Crandall received a grant from Division 55: Society for Prescribing Psychology to continue her capstone project, researching the quality of care patients receive from prescribing psychologists.

Second Graduating Class of Nurses Pinned During Ceremony

The second annual nursing pinning ceremony took place May 5, 2023, at Ferrum College in Vaughn Chapel on campus. After the students were pinned by their families for completing the nursing program in good standing, Assistant Professor of Nursing Kris Peters guided them in the blessing of the hands, which serves as an ode to nurses and the way they use their hands in their profession. “As nurses, our hands perform many tasks. Nursing is an art and a science. The art is in your hands and your heart,” said Peters.

Each student was given a Nightingale Lamp and all nurses present at the ceremony recited the Nightingale Pledge with the graduates to recognize Florence Nightingale’s efforts to establish the first nursing school in the world and to build respect for the profession.

Phyllis Whitehead, who is a palliative medicine/pain management CNS at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and an associate professor at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, congratulated the seniors and shared personal stories about her experiences as a nurse. “It’s impressive that you’re coming and choosing the nursing profession because of this healthcare landscape. We need you, and this profession needs you,” said Whitehead.

107th Graduating Class Celebrated During Commencement Ceremonies on May 6, 2023

Ferrum College celebrated its 107th commencement under sunny skies in W. B. Adams Stadium as 210 graduates from 10 different states received their diplomas. The commencement exercises included a keynote address by Virginia Secretary of Labor and Ferrum College alumnus, Bryan Slater ’82. Slater spoke about his journey to success, and how he would not be where he is today without his time at Ferrum. “I am grateful for the opportunity Ferrum gave me...and I have tried not to let Ferrum down,” he said.

Bluegrass Brass Explosion Band Struts onto the Field— and the Race Track

The notes of Struttin’ to Ferrum, by Gene Parker, reach the bleachers of W. B. Adams Stadium as Ferrum College’s latest musical group takes the field. The brainchild of Artistic Director Rachel Blankenship-Tucker, the Bluegrass Brass Explosion Band combines a traditional marching band, led by David Saleeba, with Orchestra Appalachia, directed by Emily Blankenship-Tucker.

The story goes that Ferrum College President Mirta Martin was at a party chatting with Rachel BlankenshipTucker about directions the College’s music program might take when the idea struck. President Martin liked the concept, so the three musical directors conspired to make a plan, one that gives new meaning to the word “combo.”

After Struttin’ to Ferrum, the band accompanies junior Emily Walker as she sings These Boots Were Made for Walkin', written by Lee Hazlewood and made famous by Nancy Sinatra. The final number is 500 Miles, a song by the Proclaimers from Scotland.

As if it isn’t enough to combine bluegrass, country, and Scottish 80s music; to pull together banjo, guitar, and mandolin with trombones, drums, piccolo, and trumpets; and to wow folks at football games, the Bluegrass Brass Explosion Band reached millions of viewers when it performed The StarSpangled Banner at the Infinity 500 Race at Martinsville Speedway on October 28, 2023. The band cued up Emily Walker, Emily Blankenship-Tucker, and Rachel Blankenship-Tucker, who sang the National Anthem in a performance broadcast to NASCAR fans throughout the nation.

Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre Revived, The Rex Stephenson Theatre Named

The Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre (BRDT), founded by Professor Emeritus R. Rex Stephenson in 1979, was a staple of summer entertainment at Ferrum College for decades. After a hiatus of many years, the dinner theatre was revived in March 2023 when Stephenson (pictured) performed his lauded impersonation of the irreverent novelist Mark Twain.

In April, the flexible theatre in Schoolfield Hall was renamed The Rex Stephenson Theatre, or The Rex, during a production of Stephenson's adaptation of Treasure Island. Fall performances of Steel Magnolias and No, No, A Million Times No! brought BRDT audiences back to campus again and again to enjoy meals served by actors followed by the shows. Students worked with faculty as well as staff and community volunteers in each cast and crew.

The 2023 season culminated in December with Timothy Allen McDonald and MTI/Music Theatre International’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas, a musical featuring puppets made by the human actors. The BRDT is one of only four theatres ever granted rights to perform this adaptation of the beloved Emmett Otter show; the others were in Connecticut, New York, and Chicago.

Fall 2023 Brings New Journalism Major to Ferrum College

“It is a beautiful, chaotic, turbulent, and exciting world in which we live. It is the role of the journalist to document that world—to provide a record for the history of events; to provide a platform for expression; to provide an arena for the exchange of thought and ideas; to be a watchdog for the Constitution; to help form a vital part of a democratic government; and to do so with the highest of standards, ethics, and quest for truth,” said David “Chopper” Campbell, assistant professor of English and Journalism.

While Journalism has been a minor at Ferrum for decades, students can now major in Digital Journalism and Media. The program is experiential; students conduct interviews, attend meetings, and write opinion pieces for the College's print newspaper, The Iron Blade, and the online version of The Iron Blade as well. Students develop skills in writing and reporting, editing, photography, layout and design, video production, and website maintenance.

“The Digital Journalism and Media major will arm students with professional experience and marketable skills applicable in innumerable career settings,” said Ferrum College President Mirta Martin.

Scan to view the online version of the award-winning Ferrum College newspaper, The Iron Blade, or visit

https://www.ironbladenews.com

Ferrum

College Receives Virginia Department of Education Grant for Partnership Laboratory School with Region’s Public Schools

Ferrum College has passed a significant milestone toward achieving its long-held vision to help local and regional students with workforce readiness through career and technical education.

Through a Partnership Laboratory School Planning Grant of $199,517, the College has begun an ambitious plan to help high school students train for a career or learn a trade and earn college credit at the same time. With its initial collaborator, Franklin County High School, the College identified paths to prepare students for careers in nursing, emergency medical technician, paramedic, firefighting, law enforcement, and search and rescue fields, as well as construction trades (including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, welding, and HVAC), contracting and maintenance, and marine trades while earning dual enrollment credit towards their high school diploma and a college degree. The need and demand for this program were so expansive, Virginia’s Department of Education encouraged Ferrum to include Roanoke, Henry, and Patrick Counties, and Roanoke City. As the project takes shape, Bedford, Floyd, Pittsylvania, and Carroll Counties, as well Martinsville City, will also be invited to participate in the program, currently developing under the name of the Ferrum College Academy for Opportunity and Innovation.

Ferrum College President Mirta Martin said, “This remarkable initiative will enable us to forge a new path in nurturing a generation of skilled professionals equipped to fill gaps in critical segments of industry, who are empowered to meet the ever-evolving demands of employers.”

Franklin County Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Siers noted that students with the Lab School training and certifications would exit high school with a competitive edge. “This program will permit our students to get a head start on a number of careers and allow many of them to be employable in our community immediately after graduating from Franklin County High School,” he said.

Blue Ridge Institute and Museum: Preserving Traditions, Defying Stereotypes

Just before his death in 1970, Ferrum College President Ralph Arthur founded the Museum of Mountain Lore in Stanley Library. Arthur’s successor, Joseph Hart, hired historian Roddy Moore to direct the museum, which moved to the old Ferrum School building. A grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities helped construct the building that is home to what is now the Blue Ridge Institute & Museum (BRIM), which was recognized in 1986 as the State Center for Blue Ridge Folklore.

Moore’s first interest is material culture and he quotes one of his professors in saying that the BRIM “focuses on the history of people below historical scrutiny,” preserving crafts, music, and written records. While the BRIM was first regional, focused on Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Grayson, Patrick, Floyd, Roanoke, and Franklin Counties, it broadened to include much of Virginia.

Moore credits preserved written records, such as ledgers showing that goods imported from the British Isles came to the local area by the Warwick Road, with much of what historians know about Virginia economics. Some lore preserved by the BRIM comes from the James Taylor Adams Collection, which the museum cataloged. Among those papers were Jack Tales that Professor Emeritus R. Rex Stephenson dramatized for the Ferrum College Jack Tale Players, a troupe whose performances have been enjoyed by thousands of school children and adults alike over the years.

Moore organized the relocation of an 1800s German farm from Callaway, VA, to the museum property using 12 men in the federal Comprehensive Employment and Training Act program. He also oversaw the recording of nine Virginia Traditions music albums, now available through Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, that include Blue Ridge Piano Styles, Tidewater Blues, and other musical traditions. Not content to stop at the Virginia border, Moore helped coordinate two Smithsonian festivals in Washington, DC. Six years ago, Moore turned the BRIM oversight to longtime Assistant Director Vaughan Webb, who later passed it to current Director Bethany Worley.

Five decades later, the BRIM continues to reach across the nation, drawing researchers, tourists, history lovers, and festival goers. The BRIM hosts the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival—an annual event that celebrated its 50th anniversary in October 2023—featuring what Moore calls home crafts and family traditions such as apple butter making and quilting, as well as regional music and traditional foods. Moore said, “The festival is Ferrum College’s gift to the community….and a showcase for the community.”

Then Ferrum College President Joe Hart, Governor Baliles, then BRIM Director Roddy Moore, and Senator Byrd at the Blue Ridge Farm Museum during the 1986 State Center for Blue Ridge Folklore dedication.

50th Annual Blue Ridge Folklife Festival

The 50 th annual Blue Ridge Folklife Festival on Saturday, October 28, 2023, 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.

President Mirta Martin Appears on Blue Ridge PBS

“There are a couple of things that parents can give their children. The first one is our faith, our values. The second one is an education,” said Ferrum College President Mirta Martin.

President Martin met with Tom Landon, director of Instructional Innovation at Blue Ridge PBS and host of the series What It Takes, for an episode titled What It Takes to Help Students Lead Lives of Purpose. On the broadcast, Martin shared her own journey from Cuba to Spain to the United States, where she graduated from Duke University and continued her education through a Ph. D. from the University of Richmond.

Martin then focused on Ferrum College, highlighting the strength of its academic programs and character development opportunities. She noted that the College’s motto, Not Self, But Others, continues to inspire the campus community, and is often complemented by the concept that Ferrum College students "enter with promise and leave with purpose.”

There are a couple of things that parents can give their children. The first one is our faith, our values. The second one is an education.

Martin explained that during the first few days students are on campus, they work with community members on projects to improve the village of Ferrum. Then, each spring and fall, students, employees, alumni, and other community members participate in a day of service to beautify the campus. She also described other examples of exceptional service by students in the interview, which can be viewed on YouTube at https://bit.ly/WIT_512.

Though far from her origins in Cuba, for President Martin, Ferrum College is a homecoming—a place that called upon a lifetime’s experiences to lead with passion and her own sense of purpose.

Scan to watch “What It Takes to Help Students Lead a Life of Service” or visit https://bit.ly/WIT_512

We Made a Promise. A Big One. And You Helped Us Make It.

On April 5, 2023, Ferrum College President Mirta Martin announced a new financial aid initiative for the 2023–2024 academic year—the Panther Promise—which provides free in-state tuition to qualifying Virginia students.

A college education shouldn’t be out of reach because of its cost. The next generation deserves an opportunity to experience Ferrum College without having current financial limitations be a barrier.

With the Panther Promise, Ferrum College affirms its identity as Virginia’s College of Opportunity, providing access to an affordable, excellent higher education. It allows the College to continue its tradition of nurturing students who enter with promise and leave with purpose. The values and principles students learn here can serve a world that is desperate for leaders with integrity, ambition, and high aspirations.

This increase in support is for both incoming and returning students. Thanks to your support last year, along with grants from the state of Virginia, 39% of our students will now be covered under the Panther Promise. In addition, students from outside Virginia will also benefit from new out-of-state student grants.

Also thanks to you, Ferrum College is able to provide guidance and support for students and their families who are trying to understand the complexities of financial aid offers they’ve received from Ferrum and other schools. The College’s website highlights the scholarships for which students can apply. It also provides calculators students can use to determine the impact of scholarships and to calculate the net cost of attending Ferrum College.

Your promise—our promise—is also positively impacting Ferrum College. The number of inquiries has greatly increased, as has the number of applications. Thanks to you, students across Virginia are excited to know Ferrum College is now a College of Opportunity for them, too.

You Helped Students Be Leaders on and off the Field

Allison Setlak ‘23, a midfielder from Cary, NC, has loved playing soccer since she was a child. She wanted to find a college where she could play for the love of the game and prioritize academics. Ferrum College seemed to be the perfect fit, but it looked out of reach financially until you helped bridge the gap for her to become a Panther.

Being an athlete helped Setlak develop the skills to organize and manage her time well, work in a team, and communicate effectively with others. Coach Erin Saleeby said Setlak was a leader her teammates looked up to on and off the field. Setlak studied in the Boone Honors program, co-chaired the Ferrum College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, joined the Alpha Chi Honor Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success, and even volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, and Ferrum College’s sports information office. Still, she maintained a 3.98 grade point average as a Business Administration major with a Spanish minor.

The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) honored Setlak's dedication and leadership, awarding her the ODAC Women’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2022. Now a graduate, Setlak has a job she loves and is putting her hard-earned skills to work as a star employee.

You Supported an Exceptional Community for International Students

Originally from Puerto Rico, Genesis Pineiro ’23 was recruited to run cross country, ultimately competing as a long-distance runner as well. Excited to come to Ferrum College, she worried about her language skills, fitting in, and figuring out college. But when she arrived on campus, her first class was with other international students. Pineiro realized she was not the only one coming from another country and she even found a Spanishspeaking faculty member to be a mentor.

With a naturally positive outlook, Pineiro dove in, pursuing degrees in Business Administration and Accounting and a minor in Computer Information Systems and Technology. She did well in her classes, and her professors encouraged her leadership skills. She quickly made friends, served as a resident assistant, became a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, and joined the Ferrum College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Pineiro was having such a great experience that her brother applied and ultimately came to Ferrum College, too. Her brother's arrival on campus made her time even more rewarding, and she loved being able to help him navigate his early college days.

After graduation, Pineiro accepted a job as a staff accountant at an employee-owned construction contractor company, but she still misses the special Ferrum College community of faculty, staff, coaches, and students.

You Helped a First-Generation College Student Achieve His Dream

Like a lot of kids growing up, Geovanni Garcia ’23 always wanted to be a medical doctor. However, Garcia faced more challenges than many. His family came to the United States to escape violence in Mexico, and no one in the family had gone to college. In fact, when Garcia graduated from high school, his mother was so proud of his success, she cried when she saw him in his cap and gown.

The journey from high school to college grew more difficult. As a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) student, Garcia struggled to get any scholarships, and he was not eligible for financial aid through FAFSA since he wasn’t a U.S. citizen. He and his parents had to work very hard to pay tuition fully out-of-pocket.

Garcia started at Patrick and Henry Community College, taking a mix of general studies and obtaining his certification in welding, but he wanted more. He knew one of the Ferrum College soccer coaches and when he visited campus, Garcia saw how close-knit the community was. When he enrolled, he worked closely with financial aid counselors who helped him set up payment plans. Garcia found that everyone at Ferrum College genuinely wanted to help and got to know him personally. They supported, advised, wrote letters of recommendation, and championed this self-motivated student.

Garcia graduated cum laude in May 2023 and is now a patient care technician at the Medical University of South Carolina, building skills to make him more competitive when applying to medical school.

You Inspired Great Teaching

Emma Brubaker ‘23 knew a lot about Ferrum College. Her mom, dad, and sister all went here, and she’d heard stories for years. Even so, she applied to two schools, just in case. Both colleges accepted her, but when she learned the other college would cost twice as much per semester, the choice to attend Ferrum College was easy.

When Brubaker arrived on campus, she understood why her family loved the place. The campus was so beautiful, the students really cared about one another, and the whole community was friendly. She was a Boone Honors Program member and made close friends. Brubaker also served as president of the campus chapter of Help Save the Next Girl and as vice president of the National Society for Student Leadership and Success.

While Brubaker always knew she wanted to be a teacher, being at Ferrum College opened her eyes to great teaching. She opted to double major in Chemistry and Ecotourism, and she began tutoring other students in chemistry. The experience cemented her goal to become an educator.

Her senior year, Brubaker’s mentor recommended her to serve as a virtual chemistry lab instructor for the local high school and she loved it. A few months later, when the high school needed a chemistry teacher, Emma applied for and got the job, which she began last fall. Brubaker loves everything about the classroom experience and is excited to bring the caring, respect and commitment she experienced at Ferrum College to her high school students every day.

I want being at Ferrum to create a sense of pride and a sense of belonging. I want it to be the place to be. I just feel like this place is magical. With some TLC and rolling our sleeves up, I feel like we can get back to what Ferrum used to be, should be, and will be.

Football Coach Cleive Adams ’02

Promoted to Director of Athletics

As hard as it was to stop serving as head coach of the Black Hats, Coach Cleive Adams has an opportunity to do more for all student-athletes on campus as director of Athletics. Having arrived on the Ferrum College campus as a freshman in 1987, he knows the journey well; and in the same way that generations of students have been drawn to lead and serve after their time at Ferrum College, Adams is ready to serve the whole community.

“I always pride myself on being a team player and I love the campus community,” said Adams. “I want to be involved with every team on this campus. I want to make sure that they know that I’m available, that they know that I’m present, that they know that I’m a champion for them, and that I’m going to have their back. More importantly, here at Ferrum, our student-athletes represent a large portion of the population, and I want that population to be the cornerstone of leadership on this campus.”

“What the trustees and search committee saw in Cleive Adams was a love and passion for this institution that’s genuine. That is not something that can be created or coached. That has to come from the heart,” said Ferrum President Mirta Martin.

Adrian Samano ’26 Places Fifth at U23 Greco World Team Trials

This summer, several Ferrum College wrestlers competed in the USA Wrestling U23 National Championships, representing the Iron Wrestling Club, a chartered club that helps wrestlers train and compete in Greco Roman and freestyle Olympic wrestling styles. The first place finisher in each weight class earns a spot on the World team, competing this year in the World Championships in Poland.

Rising Ferrum College sophomore Adrian Samano ‘26 received All American status with his fifth-place finish in the U23 Greco Roman 55kg division. He was thrilled with the finish, which moved him closer to his goal to be a national champion.

Head Men’s Wrestling Coach Logan Meister ’17 said, “It is a great achievement for Adrian to reach the podium at the U23 Greco World Team Trials, especially as an 18-year-old who just finished his freshman season. Adrian has high expectations for himself. I know his goal is to continue to improve on this performance in hopes of making a Greco World Team, which would be an outstanding accomplishment for him, the Iron Wrestling Club, and Ferrum College. It is rare to see Division III athletes competing and winning at these events.”

Friends and Fans Rally to Name New Softball Complex in Honor of Former Head Coach

Vickie Van Kleeck

Ferrum College recognized its former head softball coach, Vickie Van Kleeck, by naming the new softball complex in her honor. The two-story facility includes a team locker room, a coaches’ locker room, a working press box, a concession stand, and restrooms. Seating includes chair backs and open-area concrete platforms between the building and the backstop.

Van Kleeck originally planned to coach at Ferrum College for a few years and then move closer to family, but she stayed because she loved her experience. She led the Panthers to USA South Athletic Conference regular-season titles in 1994, 1995 and 2013, and league postseason tournament championships and accompanying NCAA Division III tournaments in 2002, 2005 and 2012. She was named USA South Coach of the Year in 2013. “Twenty-four years later, I was still here. You all that go here know why I was still here—because Ferrum is a very special place. It just grows on you,” said Van Kleeck.

In her career, Van Kleeck had 531 wins, 140 academic allconference players, 96 all-conference players, and 11 conference players or rookies of the year. Van Kleeck was also recognized for being more than a coach, which is why 119 friends and fans— including Clark ’80 and Susan ’81 Childers, who through their lead gift named the new press box, and Ed ’68 and Roe George, who wanted to encourage all athletes to support all teams—rallied to raise over $330,000 to make the complex a reality.

Twinning and Winning: Former players honored their favorite softball coach by dressing up like Coach Van Kleeck at the celebration.

Clark ’80 and Susan ’81 Childers with President Mirta Martin during the dedication.

Leaders On and Off the Field: Celebrating the 2023 Sports Hall of Fame Awardees

Melisa Buchanan-Craft ‘01, of Virginia Beach, VA, played women’s basketball four years under Coach Donna Doonan and volleyball four years under Coach Kelly Caputo from 1998–2001at Ferrum College. She was the first basketball player in school history to reach 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds. Buchanan-Craft earned USA South All-Conference 2nd team honors in 1998 and 2000, and VaSID All-State 2nd team in 2000. After leaving Ferrum, Buchanan-Craft began a career as a Health and Physical Education Teacher in the Virginia Beach Public School System. “I am a fighter and a survivor. I have continued to work hard all of my life. I’m very blessed and very thankful,” said Buchanan-Craft.

Tanisha Durham ‘04, of Roanoke, VA, played women’s basketball four years at Ferrum under Coach Donna Doonan from 2000–2004. She was a USA South All-Conference 1st team selection in 2002 and 2003, and earned 2nd team in 2004. After leaving Ferrum, Durham began a career at Roanoke Valley Speech & Hearing Center as an office manager, and is currently employed with the construction firm Robins & Morton. “Ferrum College gave me so many things: purpose, drive, accountability, strength, pride and oh so many memories. I am so excited that my children and niece are able to see this today. This is an example that anything is possible for you three. Continue to be awesome and hungry. The sky is the limit,” Durham said.

The Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023 was honored during a campus ceremony on Saturday, November 4, 2023. Pictured left to right are Floyd Martin representing his father, Melvin Martin '75, Melisa Buchanan-Craft ‘01, Angela Thomas ‘90, George Yancey ‘67, Andre Levisy ‘89, Tanisha Durham ‘04, and Ferrum College President Mirta Martin.

Andre Levisy ‘89, of Rocky Mount, VA, played men’s basketball three years at Ferrum under Coach Bill Pullen from 1986–1989. He was a team captain in 1987–1988 and 1988–1989, as well as team MVP in 1988–1989. Levisy earned Dixie All-Conference 1st team in 1988–1989, and is #18 on Ferrum’s all-time scoring list with 1,027 career points. After leaving Ferrum, Levisy began a career as a Qualified Mental Healthcare Professional. He has also been a collegiate baseball, football and basketball official since 1994, officiating in the USA South, ODAC, Big South, Carolinas Conference, NJCAA, CIAA and NAIA. He officiated the NCAA Div. III Basketball Tournament national semifinals and championship game in 2017, and has officiated VHSL football, basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball games. Levisy was inducted into the Franklin County High School Hall of Fame in 2019. “I would not be here today without my circle of support. I can’t thank this college enough for giving me an opportunity,” said Levisy.

Melvin Martin ‘75, of Martinsville, VA, played football and ran track two years at Ferrum College under Coach Hank Norton from 1975–1976. He went on to play football two seasons at William & Mary, where he was defensive captain and the top defensive lineman tackler for two seasons. Martin earned Team MVP, All-State 1st team and All-Region 2nd team in 1978. After graduating from William & Mary, he attended preseason camp with the NFL’s Detroit Lions and the CFL’s Saskatchewan Rough Riders. After football, he began a career as an English teacher, coach and principal at various schools in southwest Virginia. Martin went on to earn a master’s degree from Radford University and a doctorate from Virginia Tech. He also served as adjunct professor and assistant director of Admissions at Ferrum College.

Angela Thomas ‘90, of Jonesville, VA, played basketball four years at Ferrum College under Coach Donna Doonan, as well as volleyball and tennis under Coach Kelly Caputo. As the Class of 1990's Salutatorian in 1990, she was the top graduate in the College's first education class, earning degrees in French and English. Thomas went on to earn a master’s degree in French from the University of Tennessee. She began teaching in 1992 at Lee High School, where she also serves as school photographer, website manager, yearbook and Lee TV advisor. During the first 20 years of her career, Thomas coached volleyball, basketball, tennis, One Act Play, and Scholastic Bowl. She was District Teacher of the Year in 2015, a six-time Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers honoree, and threetime Highlands District Volleyball Coach of the Year. “Ferrum College has always held a special place in my heart. Coming back always feels like coming home,” Thomas said. She also thanked her students, teammates, former Ferrum professors, and family for all of her success.

George Yancey ‘67, of Gordonsville, VA, played football for two years under Coach Hank Norton from 1966–1967. He was a member of Ferrum’s NJCAA National Runner-Up team in 1966. Yancey then earned a football scholarship at the College of William & Mary, from which he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1970. He went on to earn graduate degrees from UVA/VBA School of Bank Management and The Banking School of the South at LSU. In 1971, Yancey began a 37+ year career in the financial services industry. In 2003, he became founder, president and CEO, and director of the Bank of Louisa, which eventually merged into United Bankshares. “While at Ferrum, I acquired certain life changing skills—how to properly study, effective time management, being goal driven, and the importance of collaboration with others to achieve success. I used those skills in my future endeavors, both in my banking career and my civic and community involvement. Ferrum will always occupy a special place in my heart and life,” said Yancey.

Ferrum College offers 20 varsity sports for women and men

Athletic teams worked alongside faculty, staff, alumni, and other students to beautify the campus during a Day of Service event on April 13, 2023.

Outstanding Alumni Honored During October Awards Ceremony

The Ferrum College Alumni Awards are presented annually to recognize those alumni significantly and holistically making an impact upon the College, through their careers, and in their communities. Winners are nominated by alumni, faculty or staff, vetted by representatives of the Alumni Board of Directors, and approved by the president. J. Glynn Loope ‘86, president of the Alumni Board of Directors, presented the 2023 awards during a ceremony held in October.

Ferrum College President Mirta Martin brought greetings to the Class of 1973 and other Golden Panthers, the awardees, and their guests. “What a joy to gather and recognize these three members of the Ferrum College family who embody the very best of who we are and who live out our motto, Not Self, But Others. We are proud to honor Ms. Simms, a young alumna who has already had a tremendous impact on her hometown community as well as the College, and Dr. Beach, who aided countless students in their pursuit of higher education and, in doing so, served her alma mater in providing access for all learners in our academic community,” Martin said.

“The presentation of this year’s Beckham Medallion, our institution’s highest honor, is especially fitting and well deserved. Mr. Scott Showalter’s career and life of service are truly exemplary and his gifts of time and philanthropy are great and impactful. As a member of the Class of 1973, surrounded by many of his classmates, friends, family and Dr. Beckham’s great-grandsons, we recognize Chairman Showalter today for his devotion to his alma mater at his 50th reunion. Today’s celebrations shine bright in Ferrum’s history,” she continued.

Ferrum College honored three outstanding alumni (left to right)—Beth Simms ‘09, Scott Showalter ‘73, and Nancy Swartz Beach ‘75 during its annual Alumni Awards Ceremony, which was held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room in Franklin Hall. The event also recognized the Class of 1973 as the newest members of the Golden Panthers, which is led by Keith Fisher ’68.

Alumni Awards continued

The Young Alumni Award is given to a young alumnus/a who has demonstrated professional and personal success since graduating from Ferrum College within the last 15 years. This year’s recipient was Beth Simms, a 2009 Ferrum College graduate who currently serves as vice president of the Alumni Board of Directors and who was recently named County Administrator for Patrick County, Virginia. During her acceptance speech, Simms recalled moments from her Ferrum journey and how much the College means to her. She also had a call-to-action for the audience. “I’m challenging each of you to bring people to Ferrum College. You don’t understand the uniqueness, the specialness of this place online or in print. So, if you have an opportunity, please bring somebody here and let them experience Ferrum College,” Simms said.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is awarded to an alumnus/a who has a record of exceptional career achievement and service to their community, church or other organizations; was active in college life; and remains involved and supportive of Ferrum College. Nancy S. Beach ‘75 returned to her alma mater as an educator and director of academic accessibility for over 30 years and retired in 2023. When accepting the award, Beach shared that she has deep gratitude for the College from her student experience as well as her years as an employee. “I was embraced by a community of staff, faculty and students who fostered intellectual curiosity, who encouraged individuality, and who nurtured a sense of belonging,” said Beach.

The Beckham Medallion, named after Dr. Benjamin M. Beckham, the first president of Ferrum College, is the highest tribute bestowed upon an alumnus/a. The distinction honors those who exemplify the College motto, Not Self, But Others, and who have demonstrated exceptional career success, service to their community, and dedication to Ferrum College. This year’s recipient, Scott Showalter ‘73, credits Ferrum for his success. “I can say unequivocally I would not be where I am today without coming to Ferrum College; it was transformational,” Showalter said, who also gave credit to his wife, Elizabeth “Josie” Showalter ’73, for always encouraging him. “She’s always been supportive, so I accept this award on behalf of us both for the contributions we have made together."

Tressa Holland Moore ’04

Featured at Booker T. Washington National Monument

Ferrum College alumna Tressa Holland Moore ’04 was featured as Jane Washington Ferguson in the April 2023 program

Footprints: The Women Who Influenced Booker T. Washington at Booker T. Washington National Monument.

Moore, who teaches at Ferrum Elementary School, often volunteers as an interpreter at Booker T. Washington National Monument on special occasions such as Christmas Days in Old Virginia and Juneteenth, which celebrates the announcement of freedom to the last legally enslaved people in the United States. As she did in the Footprints program, Moore wears period costume for her role as Washington's mother, Jane Washington Ferguson, whom her son called “the noblest embodiment of womanhood.” Always an educator, Moore teaches visitors young and old about the lives of enslaved people and the importance of Booker T. Washington.

The Booker T. Washington National Monument is located in eastern Franklin County, VA, near the birthplace of Washington, who was born into slavery on the Burroughs Farm and then freed by the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. Washington was an educator, author, and renowned advocate for racial equality in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as the founder and principal of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, now known as Tuskegee University.

Steve McClintic, Jr., Editor/Smith Mountain Eagle

I work within systems, alongside those who face unjust barriers, to push for change so those systems work better for all. I want to always be a driver in difference-making, whether that happens through counseling, teaching, community building, volunteering, or pulling up a chair at the table for someone who can do it better than me.

Bethany Lackey ’11 Recognized for Outstanding Leadership and Service

Bethany Lackey ’11 was named to The Roanoker’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2023, a group of Roanoke Valley professionals nominated by the magazine’s readers and chosen by the magazine’s editorial team for their outstanding leadership, career achievements, and community involvement.

Lackey was recognized for her work to make mental health care more accessible to historically marginalized clients and for her support of refugees in the Roanoke Valley. She co-founded A Tree Planted Counseling—a collaborative mental health practice with a mission to address mental health barriers in the community.

Lackey serves as a founder and director of the Roanoke Refugee Partnership, which connects the dozens of refugee resources in Roanoke with volunteers who work together to support those who have resettled in the Roanoke Valley under refugee status. She is also an adjunct professor in the Counselor Education Department at Virginia Tech who helps to teach and inspire the next generation of counselors.

Sheneika Simmons ’15 Is Supporting Youth to Be the Leaders of Tomorrow

After Sheneika Simmons ’15 graduated from Ferrum College, she spent five years in the classroom as part of the Teach for America program, in which participants teach in low-income public schools. She went on to get a Master of Science in Educational Studies from Johns Hopkins University, and today, while pursuing a Ph. D. in Human Services at Walden University, she also works for WakeEd Partnership, supporting educators throughout North Carolina. She started her own company last year, Simmons Leadership Services, to support and develop professionals and organizations in education at all levels.

Building on her natural leadership skills and ability to speak to and connect with groups, Simmons offers workshops and presents at conferences throughout the country. She believes the Ferrum College motto, Not Self, But Others, is the reason she found success. She also challenges those who question the value of the humanities in education. “Because I majored in psychology and because I had professors I could connect with, I can show empathy in my own classroom and understand my students more. I utilized my degree in a non-psychology career,” she said.

When I was a teacher, kids taught me that they are the best teachers. They teach you to be prepared and that no day is ever the same.

Justin Muse ’05 Takes to the Road and the Stage

Justin Muse ‘05 probably lives in the memories of every Ferrum College student in this century. During his own student years, he played bass in the Gospel Band, served as legislative vice-president in the Student Government Association, worked on Orientation Teams, and wrote for The Iron Blade. He was the senior class speaker at the 2005 graduation.

A couple of years after graduation, Muse returned to his alma mater to work in Student Leadership and Engagement, becoming director of the program. At coffee houses sponsored by student media organizations, he could draw folks in with stories delivered with his special brand of sentimentality and silliness. His talent for reaching people made it clear that he was the perfect candidate to be named the College’s associate director of Recruitment and Outreach. In his new role, Muse talks to prospective students about why they should come to Ferrum. His authentic love for the College and his bold, but kind, approach is a draw in itself.

Muse is not always on the road. Sometimes he’s on stage. That shouldn’t be surprising; after all, while he was a student, he had a college program internship at Walt Disney World. When Ferrum College secured rights to produce Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas last fall, Muse was transformed into Mayor Harrison Fox, emcee of the play’s talent show. Once again, he captured the hearts and laughter of all who watched him in action. A showman in every good sense of the word, Muse knows how to command any stage on which he finds himself.

Darrell ’74 and Bonnie Huffman ’75 Returned to Campus with 681 Guests

Darrell ’74 and Bonnie Huffman ’75 met at Ferrum College 50 years ago. He was at Ferrum to play football under legendary Coach Hank Norton, and she came to earn a degree in Business. He felt the calling to preach and became a youth minister at East Tennessee State University. He attended Bible school and began preaching in 1978. Eventually the couple relocated to Huntington, WV, and started a church.

In 2010, the Huffmans envisioned starting a summer youth camp and contacted Ferrum College about being the host location. They began to partner with other churches and expanded the number of campers in attendance.

“We started in Vaughn Chapel with about 75–80 kids. In those first few years, we averaged about 100 campers. Then it grew to 150–200, and, after we skipped 2020 due to COVID-19, we had a big jump to 300–400 campers and had to move ‘chapel’ to Swartz Gym,” said Huffman, who noted that 2023 saw 681 campers, including the couple's six grandchildren. “Many are looking forward to our next camp, which may be even larger in 2024,” he said.

With good word-of-mouth marketing, more churches around the East Coast have already reached out to be a part of the next East Coast Camp, and we look forward to being back next summer.

Arthur Society Members Endowment

FY2023: $57,626,099

FY2022: $58,180,012

FY2021: $66,146,540

FY2020: $52,306,519

FY2019: $53,671,188

$30,680,241

TOTAL REVENUE

Auxiliary Services

Contributions

Grants

Other Income

FY2023: 207

FY2022: 178

FY2021: 174

FY2020: 159

FY2019: 137

$30,170,278

TOTAL EXPENSES

Auxiliary Services

Student Services

Instruction

Institutional Support

Academic Support

Thank You to Our Volunteer Leadership

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICERS

D. Scott Showalter ’73, Chair

W. Jeffrey Booker, First Vice Chair

Everett Foxx ‘92, Second Vice Chair

Amanda Cox ’04, Secretary

MEMBERS

David Arrington

Denise Bates

Carl Cline

Greg Craddock ‘92

John Cougill ‘69

F. Abe Dymond

Sue Haupert-Johnson

J. Glynn Loope ‘86

Judson P. Mason ‘67

Annita Nelson

Baxter Phillips, Jr. ‘66

Ronald E. Singleton ‘70

Nancy Walsh

ADVISORY TRUSTEES

Carthan Currin ‘84

Phyllis Karavatakis ‘76

George Yancey ‘67

TRUSTEES EMERITI

William B. Bales

Patricia O. Compton

Thelma B. Crowder

Betty Forbes

Samuel L. Lionberger, Jr.

M. Douglas Newman ’42

Ida B. Powell

ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

J. Glynn Loope ‘86, President

Beth Simms ‘09, Vice President

Brooke Gill ‘05, Secretary

Clay Wiley ‘06, Immediate Past President

MEMBERS

Alexandria Dixon ‘19

Aundrea Smiley ‘07

Billie Quesenberry ‘17

Camille Mangum ‘22

Danielle Hannuksela ‘16

Deanna Sumners ‘13

Dorothy Vetterl ‘18

Frank Boxley ‘17

Jason Priest ‘02

Jeff Reardon ‘96

Kevin Reynolds ‘13

Lynette Guilliams ‘05

Matthew Scruggs ‘04

Randal Doss ‘94

Ray Goode ‘92

Robert Monolo ‘92

Scotty Bryan ‘97

Shannon Jost ‘97

Wayne Brockwell ‘06

LIFETIME MEMBERS

Donald Brown ’66

Samuel Camden ’66

James Clark, Jr. ’62

Bruce Griffith ’66

Like What You’ve Read? Here’s How You Can Help.

Spread the word.

Help move us from being a hidden gem to “the place to be” for aspiring leaders by sharing your Ferrum College story with others. Many of our students on campus today found out about Ferrum from a friend. You can put a high school student on a path to a bright future by encouraging them to look at Ferrum College. If you know a student who would be a good fit, please share this with our Office of Admissions and Aid at 540.365.4459.

Hire a student.

Helping a student on their journey from passion to purpose is a special gift to give to another person. Ferrum College students are driven to succeed and prove themselves. Hiring student interns or opening the door to a graduating student is a great way to strengthen the ties across the Ferrum community. Have an opening— or several? We can connect you one-on-one or to many students through our career fairs. Contact Leslie Holden in the Office of Career Services at lholden@ferrum.edu or 540.365.4460.

Come to events.

What makes Ferrum so special is the supportive community that surrounds every student on our campus. You can be part of that community by giving your time and connecting with students—by coming to our games, performances, and events. Follow us on social media to learn about campus activities. Please share your email at https://bit.ly/ferrum-college-news-updates to receive updates on the latest accomplishments and changes and to be invited to special events.

Host an event for alumni.

Whether you are the life of the party or the lover of quiet reflection, you can help create and host an event for Ferrum College alumni. Reconnect alumni with their alma mater and each other, from Homecoming to hometown happenings, by working with the Office of Alumni & Family Programs. Contact Brenda Martin at bmartin@ferrum.edu or 540.365.4211 to explore your ideas.

Give back.

A gift to Ferrum College that is meaningful to you means the world to us, and we celebrate every donor with gratitude. We encourage donors to support the Ferrum Fund annually, and also to help fund their passions—supporting teams through the Panther Club, the arts and theatre programs, faculty, or student organizations. You can also give gifts that last a lifetime—actually many lifetimes—through endowments for scholarship, professorships, research, programs and departments, campus beautification and maintenance, team funds, and much more.

Donor Recognition: We recognize donors who make gifts of $1,000 or more (with special levels for recent graduates) in the Arthur Society, those who name Ferrum College as a beneficiary in their estate plans through the Beckham Society, and those who support athletic teams through the Panther Club, to name just a few of our special recognitions for donors. If you have included Ferrum College in your estate plans or wish to make a current gift, let us know! We would love to celebrate you today for the future you are creating for others. Contact Lisa Bowling at lbowling@ferrum.edu or 540.365.4299.