April 5, 2019 Vol. 64, Issue 3
theironblade@ferrum.edu
Ferrum College
215 Ferrum Mountain Rd., Ferrum, VA 24088
Mary Bishop Pays Ferrum a Visit By Mary Stoudt
Grad Caps
Senior Spotlights
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“When she [Mary’s mother Adria] got pregnant so many things were just a few years off,” Mary Bishop said during a panelist discussion. The “things” that were off at the time of the birth of Adria’s first child, Ronnie, is what led Adria to hide Ronnie from the world and ultimately what prompted Mary to write her book, Don’t You Ever: My Mother’s Secret Son. To begin her career in writing, Mary attended and graduated from the Columbia Journalism School. Previously Mary has served as a reporter for the Roanoke Times and was on the team with the Philadelphia Inquirer that won a Pulitzer Prize in 1980 for covering a nuclear leak from Three Mile Island located in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Mary spoke at Ferrum College after previously speaking to Dr. Lana Whited’s Media Law and Ethics class. and joined a discussion panel after her presentation on April 1. Mary’s presentation focused on her mother and half-brother, ultimately leading up to the end of both her mother and brother’s lives. The panel discussion was based off Mary’s book, tying into issues of today with single motherhood. The panel included Dr. Allison Harl, Dr. Sharon Stein, Ferrum Senior Leya Dickman, author Mary Bishop, and Dr. Lana Whited as facilitator. Growing up Mary was unaware that she had a halfbrother. She was told by her mother that Ronnie was her cousin and Mary never questioned it. It wasn’t until Mary was 32 years old and applying for a passport that she learned Ronnie was her half-brother. Mary’s mother, Adria, had Ronnie in Lynchburg after discovering about the unplanned pregnancy. Mary said that Adria had no idea of contraceptive when she got pregnant due to her mother passing away while Adria was still young and her having a poor relationship with her step mother. After Adria gave birth to Ronnie she took care of him for a year and took many pictures of Ronnie, even writing
that he was the “sweetest thing on earth” on the back of one of the photos. However, a year after having Ronnie, Adria had to leave the home for unwed mothers where she was staying in Lynchburg and she had no outside support. Adria was sent to Roanoke just after the Great Depression. Adria worked as a housekeeper for other families and it was during this time that social services got involved following a report filed about her and her son Ronnie. Ronnie was then taken and placed with a foster family. Ronnie’s life with his foster family was one of happiness and love, however, he could not stay forever and eventually was sent back to live with his mother, who ended up placing him in an orphanage soon after. After a few years passed, Adria met the love of her life on a farm and eventually got married and gave birth to Mary several years later. Mary’s life was significantly different from Ronnie’s. Mary grew up with her biological parents, had more opportunities, and eventually went to college. Ronnie’s neglect from his mother and other hardships led him to a life of trouble. Ronnie was sent to reform school and later expelled and was later taken by the sheriff deputies at the age of 17 and sent to a mental hospital. Ronnie suffered five rounds of electric shock therapy and it was recorded that he was “mentally ill and retarded,” according to Mary. Eventually Ronnie was deemed of average intelligence and sent to learn how to become a barber. Ronnie kept the profession as a barber until they day he died at the age of 55. Mary became close with her brother in 1991 four years before he passed. During this time, Mary learned more about Ronnie’s life and realized the drastic differences between how they were raised. After learning of those differences, Mary wrote her book. After writing her book, Mary had a revelation about her mother. “I came to the understand why she was so ashamed and Pictured from left to right: Dr. Allison Harl, Dr. Sharon Stein, Leya Dickman, Mary Bishop, Dr. Lana frightened,” Mary said. Whited. Adria gave birth during a Photo credit of Mary Stoudt
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Mary Carter Bishop smiling for a portrait. Photo Courtesy of HarperCollins Publisher
time when women were expected to together.” be married before having a child and were shamed if they were pregnant out of wedlock. The shame that Adria felt caused her to raise Ronnie a different way than she did with Mary. Mary talking about her mother’s shame led into the paneling discussion. Each panelist had their own unique story of single parenting and/ or untraditional parenting. Dr. Allison Harl has been raising her son on her own since his birth and reflected back on the support Mary Bishop’s newest book. that her “Ferrum Photo Courtesy of The Roanoker family” gave her as well as her own. Dr. Sharon Stein The idea of co-parenting even withadopted her daughter from China and out being married is a concept Adria has raised her on her own and also never could have dreamed about reflected on the support she received when she gave birth to Ronnie. from her family and from Ferrum. To close the evening Mary spoke Senior Leya Dickman shared her exabout how her mother would be perience of being a full time student happy and proud about the progress in college while raising a four-yearmade in society and to see Harl and old. Lastly Dr. Lana Whited shared Stein raising their children as single about raising four adopted boys, two parents and Dickman for raising a of which were adopted from Africa. child even after giving birth as a Stein spoke on the idea about teenager. foster homes and how they do Mary’s book “Don’t You Ever: negatively impact a child. In reMy Mother’s Secret Son” is cursponse to this Dickman shared, “You rently available and can be purchased don’t have to be together to parent online.
SGA
Ted Bundy
Sports
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The Iron Blade
April 5, 2019
OPINION
Ted Bundy Controversy Graduation Caps By Sam May
“I think they need to portray him as sexy and charismatic, that’s who he was and that’s how he was able to do what he was able to do.” - Halee Bly, Junior
“I don’t have an issue with Zac Efron playing Ted Bundy because Ted Bundy was a good looking guy, so it only makes sense for someone who is attractive to play him.”
“They used Zac Efron, so that’s definitely sex appeal. But Hollywood is also really dramatic so they’re probably over doing it. At the end of the day it’s Hollywood so they can do what they want.” - Greg White, Junior
- Malcolm McRae Senior
“I’m not suprised they’re making a man look good because they’ve done it before. There are plenty of movies that make serial killers look good, or that make the killings look fun.” - Kalei Beckford, Sophomore
“There’s no way to get around making a movie appealing to an audience, even a movie about a serial killer.” -Randell Dauda, M.Ed., First Year Experience Coordinator
April 5, 2019 Vol. 64, Issue 3
Ferrum College 215 Ferrum Mountain Rd. Ferrum, VA 24088 IBlade@Ferrum.edu
Co-Editors: AnnGardner Eubank Layout Editors: Mary Stoudt Diamond Hudson
Staff: Sam May Frances Best Jasmine Williams
Advisor: Dr. Mingxiao Sui
Social Media Editor: Destinee Nelsom
The Ferrum College Iron Blade Newspaper is a student-written, student-managed, and studentproduced newspaper. Opinions do not necessarily express the views of all students or the staff. Letters may be emailed to theironblade@ferrum.edu. Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
Ferrum College has always had a strict policy about the decoration of caps for seniors for graduation. No senior has ever been allowed to have anything except a plain graduation cap for graduation. If they did have any design or modifications on the cap in previous years then the student would either not be allowed to wear the graduation cap, or they had to buy an extra one that they kept plain to wear to the graduation instead. Ferrum students were very aware that other colleges all around America were able to decorate their caps for their graduation, and this has been something that many students have wanted after according to senior Lawrence Baranski who is the Student Government Association (SGA) President, a Ferrum College Ambassador, a mentor in the Brother for Brother Mentorship Program and is also involved in Delta Chi Fraternity as well. Thanks to Baranski, other members of the SGA, the Student Affairs Committee (SGC) and Ferrum’s Faculty graduating seniors will now have the great privilege and opportunity of decorating their caps for commencement. Decorative graduation caps are a fantastic way for students to be able to express themselves during a big milestone in their lives. To get the cap policy for graduation changed was a long process, according to Baranski. “In order to get the caps changed for graduation, my cabinet and I had to first make sure that this was a change that the student body actually wanted. Then we had to write up a proposal and get it passed by the President and his cabinet. However, before any of this could take place we needed the idea. The idea was brought to us by a Ferrum College Senior by the name of Morgan Scott,” said Baranski. Recently there was a list of restrictions for the graduation caps sent out in a Ferrum email and these include: • Only the flat top of the Ferrum College issued black cap may be decorated. Students will be required to decorate a “mortar” board that can be discreetly attached to the actual cap for the commencement ceremony. • Decorations may not hang off of the cap. • 3-D designs are prohibited. Decorations must not block the view of audience members behind you. • Graduation caps must not have any advertisements, symbols, words or slogans conveying messages inappropriate at a dignified commencement ceremony. • Caps must not threaten the safety of others or use any hate speech of any kind. • Caps must be consistent with the student handbook for Ferrum College. • Obscene, profane or vulgar language or images is expressly prohibited. • Words or items diminishing or slandering toward any individual or institution, the College, any faculty or staff member, and/or any student is prohibited on graduation caps. If there is any failure by students to abide by any of these rules for the cap decoration the student could be removed from the premises and any commencement activities. There is also the possibility of a Student Accountability Violation being added to the students record. The SGA, SGC, and Faculty haven given students a lot to look forward to for graduation and the caps add a new bit of excitement to the mix. They should all be very happy in what they have achieved for the college. “A lot of people recognize me for all the achievements that have occurred this school year with SGA. However, they fail to realize that none of this could have happened without the help of my cabinet. Although we have accomplished a lot and I am indeed proud of us, I still feel as though there is much more to do,” said Baranski. This is a step in the right direction for Ferrum, giving students the chance to show their feelings and express themselves during their last few days as a student. The Office of Campus Engagement will host a cap decorating party on April 4 from 6-9 p.m. in the Panthers Den.
April 5, 2019
The Iron Blade
A True-to-Life Sunflower By Jasmine Williams Lacey Jamiere Matthews is a camknew God had His plans. “I tried to apply pus wide familiar face. She’s talented, to another school, and I got my accepwelcoming, and funny, and just being in tance letter literally the day after I moved the same room as her is all she needs to into Ferrum for the next year; the Fall call you a friend. Lacey is from the city Semester of my first senior year.” of Richmond, Virginia and admits that Lacey finds no shame in letting it be starting school at Ferrum College in 2014 known that she has had an extra year to was a huge culture shock for her. “To be grow here. “Senior year part one ‘Oh, thrown into the country—it was just difwow. I’m an RA, so I need to be responferent because I wasn’t used to the strucsible.’ But I also think that… I was kind ture, because I moved around so much.” of sad that year.” In grieving, Lacey had She started off her college experience as become more reserved and drawn-in. She a Criminal Justice Major, but admitted to did not feel like herself. It took her some that she was not at her best academically. time, but in her self-solitude, she’d began “It was very to grow closer to fun. I had so God. She relied on much fun. I Him more, and read had the most the Bible more, and fun that I’ve prayed more. She had in my 4+ sought out the Lord years here.” more. Thanks to the “That’s when I friends she got closer to my made and the Church Famexperiences ily—Yeah, that’s she got to acthe ‘God’ Year. complish with That was my ‘God’ them, Lacey Year.” Once she became aware that she wanted some started coming out of her shell again, with changes to add on to her newest young renewed Spiritual healing, she slowly adult life occurrences. By her second started re-establishing herself semester, she’d brought up her grades and in the social columns even changed majors from CJU to Musiof her life. cal Theatre. “I was helping my friend audition for a musical and I was like ‘Oh wow, I can do this,’ ‘I think I can do this,’ then I went to go see Crazy Quilt by Wayne Bowman and that’s what made me switch majors.” “That’s By sophomore year, Lacey found also the herself becoming more introverted. Many year we of her previously made friends were no decided longer attending Ferrum, or were soon to to become be leaving. She had no other choice but Food Buddies! That’s to delve into her own self-exploration. “I also the year that I became a memwas figuring out who I was as a person ber of KAS!” She became a Spiritual Life and that was just my time to understand employee under Rev. Dr. Jan C. Nicholwho I am.” This was a time for newness son Angle, and started her own campus for Lacey. She’d decided she wanted to inclusive Bible Study, Moses Bible Study really get her life together and be more (now known as Realizing Relationship). involved; she wanted to become a RA. Senior year part two was Lacey’s “year She would not of professionalism!” She’d only turn her coljust finished up a summer ligate life around, internship and learned more but her spiritual life, about her professional as well, deciding to self. She forced herself to dedicate her life to take time off and removed God and to get Bapherself as much as her heart tized. She would go would allow from this past on to participate in week’s musical, so she her first ever musicould focus more on her cal, Legally Blond, classes and grades. “I’ve playing the role of been able to build a proper Paulette. “Fun Fact: resume,” and she scored the I said that I wanted opportunity to work with to be Paulette, but Ferrum Admissions, travelI thought [she] was ing with the faculty to help a background girl. recruit new students. She So, I was like, ‘Oh, is even more so dedicated yeah, I want to be to Spiritual Life than she Paulette!’ and come already has been, and has to find out that she’s recently joined to Praise a lead character and Team at Inner-Faith FellowI actually got it.” ship Ministries, frequent When junior year participants at Ferrum’s started, Lacey was Praise on the Patio. been settled in her All in all, Lacey says life here at Ferthat she is overflowing and rum, but her home excited. “I am really just life had become focused on graduation, and troubled. Her mother had gotten extreme- allowing myself to have fun—but not as ly sick, and she later passed away during much fun as when I was a freshman.” the Spring Semester of 2017. Lacey then Lacey Matthews is a light this world began to question if she was going to be needs more of, and she perfectly repreable to stay at Ferrum, and if she even sents the saying ‘to know her, is to live wanted to stay at Ferrum. her.’ Just to be safe, Lacey applied to another Lacey would like to give a special “shout school that would be easier for her to out to Food Buddies… and theater budget to and from and easier for her to get dies… and KAS (Kappa Alpha Sigma)” through financially, but in all of this, she with love.
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Once a Panther, Always a Panther By Destinee Nelson Senior, Nasya Smith’s last semester at comes down to choosing the right career Ferrum College is anything but ordinary. for her. Her studies during her time at The Media and Communications major Ferrum helped with a minor in History has been living shape her into her best life during her last semester and the well-rounded has a lot to be thankful for. Smith has individual she is had numerous highlights and special monow, and is hoping ments this year, but she definitely has a to embrace many couple of highlights that stand out. different aspects “Graduating and getting engaged (have from her studies in been important) because they’re pretty her future career. big milestones,” said Smith. “My dream Smith recently popped the question job is to become to her best friend of four years during a videographer. spring break. Although the couple has However, I also been together for only a few months, have plans that Smith was sure she found the one. involve my script Smith believes she met her now fiancé, I wrote for senior Tamiah Palmer, by coincidence, however seminar,” said she has Ferrum to thank for that. Smith. During my freshman year I actually Smith plans to was a biology major and we had a class have her script together. If it wasn't for that class, we copyrighted and probably wouldn't have met,” said Smith. mailed to Netflix Smith changed her major to Media and or possibly make Communication after realizing Biology it into a book. wasn't her forte. Although her plans for Smith described pursuing hematology expired, her her senior year so far as stressful, but love for Communications worthwhile. While Smith has had a sucand History develcessful academic career at Ferrum, some oped. For the rest of the lessons she’s learned in school have of her career at reflected both the good and the bad the Ferrum, Smith come with college life. committed to “My experience at Ferrum taught me her new major that failure is okay,” said Smith. and minor. During the last four years at Ferrum, She doesn’t Smith has been involved in numerous regret her clubs. She is currently the Vice President decision of the International Music Appreciation one bit. club, an active member of the gaming “I’ve always loved Hisclub, and a staff member for Chrysalis tory and I would love to become a Magazine. Smith recently retired her professor in the future,” Smith said. show, The Music Minute, on Ferrum Smith said that after graduation she will Radio after two consecutive years. continue to keep her options open when it
r o i S en h t g i l t o Sp
Future Views for West
By AnnGardner Eubank Many people know West Nuttycombe “One of my best memories at Ferrum for his flying drone that can be seen in the had to be my fly fishing E-Term. It got me sky around campus anytime of the year. addicted to it,” said Nuttycombe. The Newport News native, however, has Nearly every day, Nuttycombe spends not only found a passion for his aerial his time after class scouting out new photography, but also a business and streams in the surrounding areas in search potential career. As Nuttycombe quickly for the best fishing spots. He said that one approaches graduation, he is excited to of his favorite parts of Ferrum was the move on to the next chapter of life, but outdoor life and the surrounding beauty has a couple of items left to check off and opportunities there are thanks to the of his Ferrum bucket list. Nuttycombe’s location. plans for post-grad life include a summer While he has enjoyed his time at Ferinternship with The Boys rum, he says that since and Girls Club, along with he’s looking towards a making plans for his next more business focused step in the workforce. path career wise, he “After graduation I’ll be would have liked to intrying to find a job in aerial corporate several more surveillance. I’m trying to business classes into his get more into the business curriculum. side of drones,” said NutGraduating from Fertycombe. rum will be a continued His business, Views by legacy in his family. West, started very recently. Nuttycombe’s dad, After he bought his first aunt, and several cousdrone the summer leading ins are all former Paninto his sophomore year of thers. West and his aunt college, he busted into business that same even had the same exact room in Bassett year. His neighbors were in need of some years apart from each other. Tradition and real estate photos, and they decided Nutcommunity have been large impacts on tycombe was the man for the job. his college experience, but Nuttycombe His portfolio of works include real says there’s one last family tradition he estate photography all around the eastern needs to take care of before he leaves. part of the state, along with Ferrum’s own “The last thing I need to do before I promotional footage and photos. Much of graduate is swim across Adam’s Lake. his photography is also used to market the From one gazebo to another. My dad did college on their social media accounts. it, so I wanna do it too,” said Nuttycombe. Besides running his business, NutWith just several weeks remaining for tycombe is an avid outdoorsman. The his time at Ferrum, Nuttycombe says that Recreation major has always had a love he is excited to move to the next chapter, for the outdoors, but has Ferrum College but will be enjoying the rest of his semesto thank for his new found love. ter with friends and fishing.
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The Iron Blade
April 5, 2019
NEWS SGA To SAG 2019
By Jasmine Williams
March 19, 2019 kicked off the first chapter of Ferrum College’s 2019 SGA Elections, with a presidential debate of the SGA Cabinet between candidates, AnnGardner “AG” Eubank and Cameron McAfee. Set up in the Panther’s Den and mediated by the SGA’s current President, Lawrence Baranski, the debate moved through the late afternoon efficiently and within a timely manner. At eight o’clock, Wednesday morning, March 20th, voting began for all Cabinet and Class Officers and was not set to end until 8AM the next morning. Thursday
morning, March 21st, 2019, the winners were announced via Campus Mail with a preluding drumroll introduction reading “Presenting your 2019-2020 Student Government!!” The newly elected SGA Cabinet Members are being led by the Iron Blade’s very own, Editor-in-Chief, AnnGardner “AG” Eubank, as President. The rest of the cabinet consists of Mikayla Moreno, VP of Legislation; Dustin Swaine, VP of Student Activities; Alec Kendrick, Secretary; Kaelin Daniels, Treasurer; and Autumn Potkay, Public Relations.
“We’re Halfway There!” By Jasmine Williams
The cabinet won by an overwhelming 141 votes out of 210. Class elections were also held, with officers being elected to each class. The Sophomore Class Officers are Kintown Pettiford, President; Mikayla Floyd, Vice President; Ahjaey Henderson, Secretary; and Zion Wade, Treasurer and the Senior Class Officers are Caitlin Hodges, President; Layura Henley, Vice President; Kayla Lentini, Secretary; and Richie Medeiros, Treasurer. The junior class cabinet is still in the works and will come together and be announced prior to the end of the year. AnnGardner “AG” Eubank
Wednesday, April 13th, 2019, Ferrum College held its first Midway Celebration for the Sophomore Class to commemorate their making it halfway through their college experience. Upon arrival in Franklin Hall’s Blue Ridge Mountain Room, students were given a chance to sign up to enter a raffle drawing for door prizes. Some of the wonderful prizes were Starbucks gift cards, Amazon gift cards, and a $1000 Scholarship. Prizes and gifts were donated by the various groups and departments that participated in the three-hour event. The sophomore students were able to snack and socialize while they carried a guided check-list. To complete the check-list, the students were required to visit different organizations and stations holding information for their benefit. Volunteers came from the all over campus; representatives from the AskMe First Center, Housing, Financial Aid, SGA, as well as multiple professors and advisors came to participate in the festivities. Morgan Hancock, a Junior and mentor for the AskMe First Center, Panther Institute Program said “[The Midway Celebration] had a good turnout and was really successful.”
Radio Rebel: The Radio Silence By Diamond Hudson In the evening of Monday, February 18th, someone vandalized the Ferrum College Radio Station. The discs that were alphabetized on the shelves were thrown and scattered everywhere along the station’s floors. This incident has caused an uproar in the Media Communication community on campus. “Whoever did this is ruining a great privilege we have,” said Andrew Meadows, Senior. Due to his suspicions and a new untrusting disappointment, Dr. Karl Roeper, the head professor of the Media Communication Department, decided to revok Media House keys from all the students currently enrolled in Radio Broadcasting Methods and the Radio Practicum. “Yeah he took everyone’s keys,” said Jacob Lloyd, Freshman. Campus police were in search of the culprit. At the time the time there was only one assumption
that was based of off a post that was on Snapchat. The only fact that was gathered was that the only person capable of doing such a thing would have had access to the Media House by way of a student that is enrolled in the current classes that are being offered in that building. At the time, all the student-produced radio programs were suspended. “This is insane. The fact that no one will fess up isn’t fair to the other students who worked hard on their shows and had nothing to do with what happened,” said Nasya Smith, Senior. As previously mentioned, in last month’s issue this was not the first time that the station had been vandalized. In the Spring of 2017, someone had violated rules about having food and drinks in the station, along with disorganizing the CDs in a similar fashion, and unplugged all the equipment. Also at this time
there was another professor who was teaching this course. “Yeah, Dr. Brown had asked me what to do. I told him to tell them that everyone would fail the class. Unfortunately, we are unable to do that,” said Roeper. None of the students knew what was going to happen in regards to their grades in the class or how the class would continue to operate afterward because the student-teacher trust was broken. “It was well handled and the class had learned not to mess with the radio house and respect the privilege we have,” said Meadows. Still no one knows who is responsible for the incident. “Oh, no they never figured out who did it,” said Meadows. As of today, all of the radio programs are up and running again as scheduled.
Morgan Hancock (Left), Bryce Motley (Right)
Ferrum Provost Dr. Aime Sposato
Director of Student Activities Justin Muse
Senior Drew Meadows producing his radio show, The Early Bird from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
April 5, 2019
The Iron Blade
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Pippin’ Ain’t Easy By AnnGardner Eubank Photo Credit: Giuseppe Ritorto
Ferrum’s theatre department was able to put their months of hard work and practice into the spotlight with their musical performance of Pippin earlier in March in the Sale Theatre. Senior performer, Fox Yates, played the role of Pippin, a prince navigating through the trials and tribulations of life as he seeks adventure and meaning throughout his journey of life Pippin, which was first directed by Bob Fosse in 1972, is a story which follows the life of Pippin as he works to please as many people as he can while simultaneously trying to fill voids and find find
fulfilment in his own life. The story emphasizes the ideas of freedom, independence, and loyalty. As Pippin works through making tough decisions and challenges, the audience watches as he develops and grows as an individual. The performance had members of the audience captivated from enchanting musical numbers to intense dialogues. The theatre department’s acting, vocals, staging, and lighting were all factors that made the show a hit on campus. Many audience
members were impressed by the performance and their peer’s talents. Chemaiya Jordan, a sophomore spectator, was pleasantly surprised by how much she enjoyed the show.
“This was my first play I’ve been to and I was surprised by how great the singing and acting was. It was overall just a really great show,” said Jordan. Other students, who make it to see many plays
Act I of Pippin
on campus, like Layura Henley, believe that this was one of the best performances they’ve seen yet. “I thought it was an amazing performance by all cast members about relevant topics we still see today,” said Henley. While the theatre department has been enjoying the praise and success of their Pippin performance, the department is now working and looking forward to their next show Crimes of the Heart, which is set to hit the stage later this month.
From Left to Right: Fox Yates, Sarah Pearson, Alyssa Robles, Darrian Marshall, Laura Aylor, Erica Leed, Rachel Hancock, Grace Patton, Alyssa Smith, Eli Harl
Fox Yates and Laura Aylor. Leading Player crowning the Pippin King
Darrian Marshall Featuring Miami
Front Center: Erica Leed, Laura Aylor, and Alyssa Smith
Registration Frustration By Destinee Nelson The week of March 18-22nd is one of the most stressful times for Ferrum students. This week is referred to as registration week for all grade levels on campus. The main goal is for students to have already planned their classes for the upcoming semester the week prior to registration with the help of their academic advisor. Registration windows vary depending on the amount of credits a student has earned, with each window opening at midnight during the school week. The “fight for your classes” effect becomes real when students realize that there are limited seats available for a course. Another reason registration week can cause students to feel anxious and frustrated comes from the course catalog. The course catalog located in the student planning section offers many courses to students, however, many classes that were promoted and described in the catalog are either no longer offered or not updated, and also neglect to say if there are plans for the course to ever be offered. Students who have expressed their concerns have been told to use another course catalog located under the academics section on the campus website. This catalog had fewer courses available with limited courses from each major to choose from. The change in this catalog frustrated many students, especially seniors, because of the need for specific classes and credits in order to graduate. The question many are asking is how can seniors graduate with limited options of courses that are being offered from Ferrum’s institution in order to succeed within their college careers?
Googling Ourselves To Death By Diamond Hudson This generation has intergrated both technology and the Internet into our society. An Inquiring Minds presentation, conducted by Dr. Karl Roeper discusses the evolution of online media and the role it plays within our society. He introduced his presentation with the history of media. “As a democratic society it is important that we are informed in order to vote,” said Roeper. In order to have access to information for cultural exchange it is important to take advantage of different mediums such as the radio, television, and Internet. The art of persuasion was touched on during the presentation on how media is capable of persauding an audience to think differently or gain a different perceptive. “There are communicative theories that play a role in different types of thinking,” said Roeper. Dr. Roeper’s presentation gave an overall recap and insight on a course that covers and goes indept in the topic called Online Media (COM 271).
Springing into Service: Students and Faculty Spend Spring Break Volunteering in Florida By AnnGardner Eubank Over spring break, nineteen Ferrum students of all years and majors travelled down to sunny Jacksonville, FL to serve the victims of Hurricane Michael this past October. Hurricane Michael caused an estimated $25.1 billion in damages as it brought mass destruction and damage to Florida’s panhandle. The trip, sponsored by Spiritual Life, was student led by Mark Kellam and Davon Robinson. Students who went on the trip primarily worked to help fix homes that were damaged in the storm. The group was split in two, working on two
different homes. Repairs needed to the homes included painting, putting in flooring, and putting together kitchens. Jonathan Taylor, a junior at Ferrum, found the experience to be extremely meaningful. “For me the most rewarding thing is looking back and seeing how much closer I grew to God. I believe God tests us so that we can learn to lean on him. Throughout the trip I learned to lean on him more than ever,” said Taylor. Spiritual Life traditionally takes a group of students somewhere on a service trip to help others over the spring break, with
several students volunteering multiple times in their careers at Ferrum. “This was my second mission trip with the school but this one definitely tested me in a spiritual way,” said Taylor. With Ferrum’s motto being “not self but others,” it makes perfect sense that students and faculty truly enjoy the experience of spending their spring break doing meaningful and important work. “These trips are always great because you can really focus on your thoughts and truly figure out aspects of life you want to grow in,” said Taylor.
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The Iron Blade
April 5, 2019
Opinion Ted Bundy Is Killing It
By Sam May You would think the publicity and press that surrounded mass murderer and critically acclaimed serial killer Ted bundy would have stopped completely after his execution by electric chair on January 24, 1989. However this is not the case at all, Bundy has been in the press none stop in recent months due to the Netflix series Conversations With A Killer, and now an upcoming movie Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile that will be released on Netflix on May 3, 2019. There has been alot of mixed opinions from the press about both the Net-
flix series and the movie being made. Other press has concentrated on Zac Efron and whether it is a good path for his career to be involved in a movie portraying the serial killer Ted Bundy. Zac Efron is a well known actor and has had roles in lots of big movies such as: High School Musical, Hairspray, Baywatch, Bad Neighbors and The Greatest Showman. The controversy has arisen on whether Bundy should be getting this much publicity after all of the terrible things that he did in his lifetime, and whether Efron should be playing the role.
The comparison showing similarities between famous actor Zac Efron (left) and Serial Killer Ted Bundy (right).Photo Courtesy - Irish Mirror
Pro Commenrtary by Destinee Nelson As an individual that is highly infatuated with crime movie titled Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and of his crimes. documentaries, I commend Netflix for releasing ConVile, takes place surrounding Bundy and the chronicles Efron has received backlash for the role, which I’m versation with a Killer: The Ted Bundy still not understanding why. This film Tapes. For those of you who aren't is supposed to be a different role for familiar with the infamous killer, I’d the former Disney star, but the media advise you to watch this documentary. isn't very welcoming about it. Some Ted Bundy committed the murders of critics say that Efron doesn’t have more than thirty women during the 1970s. any similarities to Bundy when it His good looks and charismatic behavior comes down to looks and personalmade it easy for him to target his victims. ity. Judging by the trailer, Efron does When his looks weren't working in his portray Bundy’s infamous looks very favor, Bundy had the intelligence to fall well and mannerisms. Many viewers back on. Bundy was enrolled in a few just aren’t giving Efron his spotlight, colleges such as the University of Puget however, some believe Efron was Sound, University of Washington, and perfectly cast for this movie. The film Temple University to name a few. Alrecently premiered at the Sundance though Bundy was executed in 1989, he Festival this year and received favoris still mentioned in our nation today. able reviews. One review added “His Netflix recently brought his case back decision to play one of America’s into the media by releasing the Ted most notorious and sadistic serial killBundy Tapes for viewers. Famous Disney ers is a carefully considered turning child actor, Zac Efron, has also been point, a gruesome gambit aimed at mentioned in the media through the Ted showing hidden depths under his Ken Bundy case. Controversy has emerged doll exterior and a textbook move for when media outlets found out that Efron an actor whose work has been so Zac Efron portrying Ted Bundy in the upcoming movie - Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. is portraying Bundy in a new movie set closely associated with his appearPhoto Courtesy - Philippine Star to be released April 18 of this year. The ance.” Con Commentary by Mary Stoudt Ted Bundy raped, murdered, and decapitated women. To make matters worse he proceeded to have sex with the women he killed after they were dead. Hollywood decided to make a movie about Bundy which was first shown at Sundance Film Festival in January 2019, and will be added to Netflix later this year. The movie, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile used heartthrob Zac Efron to portray Bundy. Hollywood has successfully managed to romanticize a murdering rapist. What’s worse than the portrayal of Bundy is the impact it is having on young women who go to see the movie. Originally what caused the disturbance for some was the trailer of the movie. The trailer had upbeat rock music in the background and feature Efron as Bundy looking into the camera and winking. According to The Washington Post, “Kevin Fallon, a critic at the Daily Beast, said Efron’s ‘Hot Ted Bundy’ had Sundance viewers feeling ‘awkward.” Efron is not the first Disney star to portray a serial killer, Ross Lynch portrayed Jeffery Dahmer in the movie My Friend Dahmer. Lynch did not receive the same criticism that Efron is receiving. Some of the criticism is coming from the way that the trailer of the film was presented and how
Bundy was portrayed in the few minutes of the trailer. As written by The Washington Post, “The blowback against the new Bundy film started to trickle out Friday after Fandango released the trailer in a tweet that also
Ted Bundy take a mug shot for life in Prison Photo Courtesy - The Outline
included a winky-face emoji, to the confusion of some.” Adding the winky-face emoji to the tweet promoting the trailer can easily be misleading to some. Something as
simple as a wink can make young women feel as if Efron is supposed to be looked at as a teenage heart throb and be idolized through posters. The Washington Post received the following written by Lauren Jauregui, the singer and former member of Fifth Harmony, “The wink is extremely disturbing and the romanization of a serial killer is exactly why these sick [expletive] continue to do things like this to women. Notoriety… This is appalling.” Ted Bundy was a murdering rapist who degraded women. Using Zac Efron to portray the horrors of Bundy in a Hollywood film created controversy for all the right reasons. Having a teenage heart throb portray a murderer has the possibility of enticing young women to become attracted to dangerous men. In addition to using Efron to portray Bundy the way the film has been advertised also can attract young women to dangerous men. Fandango using a winky-face emoji to promote a movie about a murdering rapist has the effect of making the crimes Bundy committed not a big deal. Some young women are naïve and are easily influenced by what they watch. Using Zac Efron to portray Ted Bundy was and is a dangerous move.
April Page 5, 6 2019
The Iron Blade
Sports News
October , Page 7
Ferrum Firsts: Men’s Wrestling Hosts NCAA Div. III National Championship By AnnGardner Eubank The Ferrum Men’s Wrestling Team hosted the NCAA Division III championships at The Berglund Center in Roanoke on March 8-9, making it the first time in history Ferrum has ever hosted a national championship, along with it being the first time the wrestling championship was held in the state of Virginia. Seventy Four teams from across the country were present at the tournament, with over 180 wrestlers qualifying for the event. Three members of the Ferrum Wrestling Team qualified to compete in the tournament, including senior Blake Rosenbaum (174 pounds), freshman Levi Englman (133 pounds), and junior Mario Vasquez (144 pounds).
E
Men’s Wrestling competitions. Photo courtesy Ferrum Athletic Department
Tennis Round-Up: The Season so Far By AnnGardner Eubank Both the men and women’s tennis teams have been hard at work competing and practicing during the 2019 athletic season. The men have earned an overall record of 3-6 so far, with a conference record of 1-3. The season started off decent. After losing their first match 8-1 in an ODAC match at Lynchburg, the men came back and won big the Randolph Wildcats in the home opener of the season on Feb. 24 with a score of 5-4. On the 28th, the men fell in a Thursday home match against Hampden Sydney College 8-1. The Panthers fell again to ODAC competitors, Guilford, on March 9 with a score of 9-0. The team was finally able to secure two wins on the road against Johnson University and Ohio Christian in a non-conference tournament in Knoxville, TN on March 14, but lost to King University the next day 7-0. The Panthers continued to fall to competitors, losing to Pfeiffer on March 17 with
Ferrum Tennis teams on the court. Photo courtesy Ferrum Athletic Department
a score of 9-0, and again on the 19th in a non-conference competition against William Peace, with a much closer score of 5-4. The Panthers couldn’t break their losing streak and followed their win with two losses the next week at Bridgewater on the 24 (8-1) and again at Roanoke on the 26 (7-2). The team will be back in action on the road against Washington and Lee on April 2. The Lady Panthers have found success on the court this season. Sporting an overall record of 5-5 with a conference record of 2-3, the women have held their own in the ODAC. The Panther’s had a slow start with their first two matches against Randolph College on Feb. 24 and Lynchburg on Feb. 26. However, the team earned their first win of the season on the road in a match against Guilford College with a blow out score of 9-0. That next day in a tournament hosted by Hollins, the team split. They fell to Virginia Wesleyan 5-0, but came back to take a win from Hollins with a 5-0 score. The team was able to keep the winning streak alive by taking victories against Johnson University and Ohio Christian on March 14 and 15, but fell to King University that same weekend. The following Sunday, the team fell to Pfeiffer 6-3, but came back to beat William Peace in a home match on March 19. The next week the Panthers faced three tough ODAC teams resulting in losses. They travelled to Roanoke College on the 21 and finished with a 7-2 loss, and faced another loss on the road at Washington and Lee on the 23 (9-0) and wrapped up the week that Sunday with a 7-2 loss at Bridgewater. The Lady Panthers will be back on the court looking for a win after a long break in a home match against Randolph Macon on April 14.
Work Hard, Play Hard
Women’s Lacrosse are putting in the work By Sam May The Women’s Lacrosse team has had a tough start to the season, but have continued to practice and compete to accomplish as much as possible in their inaugural ODAC season. Women’s Lacrosse currently stand at 3 wins and 6 losses overall and have 0 wins with 3 losses in the conference. However one of the players feels there is much more to come with the hard work and effort they are putting in each day. “I think the season is going pretty well, my team is always pushing every single day to better themselves and to better our whole team as well,” said Megan Allen, Freshman. The panthers have a fresh team this year including 11 new Freshmen that have been added to the team for this years ODAC campaign, each of them bringing their own skills and new talent along with them. “I think that each girl brings their own special gift to the team, and that’s what brings us all together,” said Allen. Like any team though there are still some aspects that could perhaps use some improvement to help them push and strive to be the best they can be for the remainder of the ODAC season. “I think the team could work on having better communication on the field,” said Allen. After a very tough ODAC opener against Roanoke, unfortunately resulting in a 25-0 loss, the Panthers feel that these results don’t emphasize the talent that they currently have in their team this year. “My team works their butts off every single day. We give each other so much love and support that i don’t believe our record reflects it,” said Allen. Women’s Lacrosse will play again on April Wednesday 3rd at home against Greensboro, and will hope to get their first ODAC win of the Season.
Busy Season for Ferrum Softball By Mary Stoudt Ferrum College Softball has been busy this season. The Panthers played a total of 22 games during the month of March. Out of the 22 games the ladies won 13 games and lost nine. During Ferrum’s spring break the Panthers played a series of games in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Panthers played against the University of Michigan Dearborn, Penn State University - Schuylkill from Pennsylvania, Wesley College from Delaware, and King’s College based in Pennsylvania. Of the four games played the Panthers had three shutouts with 20-0 against Penn State University - Schuylkill, 3-0 against Wesley College, and 5-0 against King’s College. The Panthers lost against the University of Michigan - Dearborn losing 13-5. Wrapping up spring break the Panthers had a double header against Pfeiffer University. The Panthers won one game 6-5 and lost one game 4-2. After spring break the Panthers went on to play 16 games throughout March. The Panthers lost both games against Averett University (3-1 and 5-2), won both games against Oswego College (5-4 and 7-1), and won both games against Mary Baldwin University (11-6 and 12-4). Continuing on the Panthers won one game against the University of Lynchburg (3-2) and lost one game (10-4), won one game against Shenandoah University (10-2), lost one game (5-2), lost both games against Roanoke College (5-3 and 18-14), won one game against Randolph College (5-4) and lost one (3-2). To finish out the month the Panthers won both games against Eastern Mennonite University (5-3 and 6-4). Coming up the Panthers will be traveling to Emory and Henry for a double header at 3 p.m and 5 p.m on April 3.
gleman, finishing seventh in his division, and Vasquez, finishing eighth, both were named AllAmericans, making them only the third and fourth people to do so in Ferrum’s young six year wrestling program history. Finishing with a total of 14.5 points as a team, the Panther’s placed 27th out of the 74 teams present. The wrestlers of Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota earned first place in the tournament and were named the NCAA Div. III champs. Coach Nathan Yetzer will be losing six seniors for next season, but still has a strong and experienced group to hopefully lead the team to success next season.
More Home Runs Ahead: Baseball Look for More Wins By Sam May The Ferrum Men's Baseball Team is looking forward to the rest of the seasons they hope to continue their success in the coming weeks. The Panthers are currently on a record of 18 wins and 8 losses, and they are 9 wins and 3 losses in the conference. Junior catcher, Tim Ortega, has been holding the team down behind the plate along with continued success at bat. “So far the season has been amazing. We started a little soft but picked it up and we’re playing good baseball right now,” said Ortega. Photo courtesy Ferrum Athletic Ortega’s success has had Department him and Ferrum recognized nationally, including Ortega being named to D3Baseball.com’s team of the week from March 4th - 10th 2019. Ortega was also selected as the ODAC player of the week on Match 11th 2019. “To get player of the week for last week was amazing, I had a good week and was able to help out in winning a few games. It honestly just made me proud to get our team some recognition since I wouldn’t be there without my teammates,” said Ortega. Men’s Baseball have 17 games Ortega’s current record drawn from Ferrum Athletic remaining for Department. the season so there are lots of opportunities to get more wins on their record. “Our main goal for this year is to play the best baseball we can. We know the level we can play at and our goal is to play there for as many games as possible,” said Ortega.
Tim Ortega went 4-5 with a double and a home run in game two. Photo courtesy Ferrum Athletic Department.
The baseball team have had many games so far this season and they include some wins against Washington and Lee, Averett and Eastern Mennonite. “My Favorite game so far has to be the first game against Washington and Lee. We came out fighting and got our first conference win, which was huge for us,” said Ortega. Ferrum Men’s Baseball next play on Wednesday, 3rd April at home against Roanoke.
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The Iron Blade
More “AG” Week By Frances Best
AG week consisted of a different event each day. Participants would find a table, along with an event, either located in Franklin Hall or the quad. Monday’s participants got the chance to create their own edible dirt cups with crushed chocolate cookies, pudding, and gummy worms. On Tuesday, participants were able to decorate their very own flower pot with an array of different sequins, paint, and glitter glue. They could also choose from a selection of seeds varying from flowers to fresh veggies to plant in their newly decorated pots. Wednesday participants could play a round of Horse Breed Bingo, for the chance to win
a t-shirt and other prizes. On Thursday there was the chance to take part in the AG Olympics, where winners received gift cards for completing tasks like lassoing a hay model of a bull and a cow milking simulation. Finally, on Friday participants could visit a miniature petting zoo in the quad, and later were able to pie a professor from the agricultural department located in Garber Hall. AG week served many purposes. For some, the week provided fun activities to do between or after classes, but for the Agriculture Club it provided an opportunity to give Ferrum a new insight on Agriculture. “The purpose of this week was to get campus involved in AG Club,” said member of the Agriculture Club, Jessica Rickman. This week also provided the opportunity to change how many people view agriculture based on its stereotypes. “The club does a lot of good things on campus, it gets the word out about agriculture. I feel like a lot of people don’t understand agriculture. They think it’s just a bunch of rednecks and hillbillies, but
that’s where our food comes from. I’m actually an Environmental Science major but I’m an active member of the AG Club because I believe it does great things,” said Rickman. The club participates in many activities that help out communities in the surrounding Ferrum area, and also is said to provide a family-like atmosphere to its members. “We do a highway cleanup, we do volunteer work. Anything on campus that requires volunteers Agriculture is always there to help so I thought it was a pretty good cause. We’re like a family,” said Rickman.
April 5, 2019
Panther Briefs Fall housing sign up schedule April 5th, 2019 Apartment applicants notified via campus email during the late afternoon or early evening of Friday, April 5th. Tuesday, April 9th, 2019 Academic Emphasis Housing Sign-Ups (Roberts Hall) 2:00-5:00 p.m. in Bassett Hall Lobby , Room B-1. Friday, April 12th Residence Hall Applications for Chapman, Susannah Wesley, Bassett, Clark,Dyer Halls due no later than 12:00 noon. Return applications to Bassett Hall, Room B-105. Tuesday, April 25,2019 Residence Hall Applicantsfor Chapman, Bassett, Susannah Wesley, Clark, Dyer, and Roberts Halls notifiedvia campus email during the late afternoon or early evening of Thursday, April 25.
Cap Decrorating The Ferrum College graduating class of 2019’s cap decorating party will tak place on April 4th from 6-9p.m. in the Panther’s Den.
Commencement Ceremony
rd a o B n i t e l l u B r e Panth
The 2019 Commencement Ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 11th. Traditionally an outdooors event the ceremony will be held center campus on the Hart International Plaza , facing Adams Lake. Outside seating will be limited. Following the Commencement Ceremony, students will process through the gaunlet of faculty, up the sidewalk for pictures and encouraging words.
Advisor Week Advisor Appreciation Week in the ARC April 1st- April 5th. During this time is your chance to salute your Advisor(s) and thank them for all their support. Please stop by the table set up in Franklin Hall near the entrance to the dining Hall to complete a “High Five” for your advisor. The table will be set up on Tuesday & Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. nd on Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.