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 Ferrum
College Alumni Sports Hall of Fame
Updated: Monday, July 23, 2007
Class of 2006
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Dr. Ralph C. Arthur
(1917-1970)
Dr. C. Ralph Arthur served as Ferrum’s 7th president from
1954 to 1970. He was a graduate of the University of Richmond and Duke
University Divinity School. He was later awarded the honorary degree of
Doctor of Laws from the University of Richmond. His ministry with
the United Methodist Church began in with the Mount Pleasant Charge in
the Charlottesville District. He also served Benns Methodist Church in
the Portsmouth District and the Virginia Conference’s Town & Country
Commission. He organized the Virginia Conference Credit Union, its
Association of Educational Institutions, and its Methodist Rural
Fellowship. In 1954, Ferrum Junior College and many traditional
colleges faced uncertain times. Dr. Arthur was assigned to make a study
of Ferrum and evaluate the role of the College in the region. After
convincing the Conference of Ferrum’s value, his top priorities were
property improvements and bringing stature to the academic program.
Dr. Arthur’s 16 years as president led Ferrum College through an
unprecedented period of growth and recognition. With federal loans and
private donations, the physical plant tripled with the addition of
Franklin Hall, Stanley Library, Vaughn Memorial Chapel, Swartz
Gymnasium, Garber Hall, Riddick Hall, Susannah Wesley Hall, Chapman
Hall, Bassett Hall, Adams Stadium and fieldhouse, faculty and staff
housing, and Adams Lake. He added water and sewer to campus, renovated
John Wesley Hall and Roberts Hall, and remodeled the President’s Home.
He instituted faculty tenure and the Iron Blade student newspaper.
During the Arthur years, enrollment grew from 118 students to over 1,200
students although the high school curriculum was discontinued, the
college entered intercollegiate athletics, the college’s assets grew
from $550,000 to $7 million, and the long-sought accreditation was
received from the Southern Association of Colleges & Secondary Schools.
Dr. Arthur died in office on October 13, 1970, and was buried at the
base of the Bell Tower of the college’s new chapel. By the end of his
presidency, the college was the largest junior college in Virginia, and
the largest United Methodist-related junior college in the nation. |
Thomas D. Berry ’57
Roanoke, Virginia
Lettered one year in football, one year in basketball and two years in
baseball at Ferrum Junior College. Member of Ferrum’s first-ever
football team in 1955, where he played offensive and defensive tackle.
Member of the Ferrum basketball team in 1955-56, where he played guard.
Member of the Ferrum baseball team in 1956 and 1957, where he played
catcher. Co-Captain and Team Most Valuable Player of the baseball team
his sophomore year. A rare student-athlete to letter in three sports.
Went on to Concord College from 1957-59, where he helped the baseball
team earn runner-up honors in the West Virginia Intercollegiate
Conference in 1958 and 1959. Eventually earned bachelor’s degree from
Upper Iowa University. Served in United States Army from 1953-55.
Played semi-pro baseball eight years. Coached American Legion baseball
team for 14 years, state runner-up in 1962. Member of Salem-Roanoke
Baseball Hall of Fame, Class of 2004. Served as a high school
basketball official for 38 years. Served as a college basketball
official for 20 years (NCAA Div. I, II, III), including three NCAA
Tournaments. High school football official for 20 years. Old Dominion
Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Officials Supervisor for 15
years. Continues to be a member of officiating crew at Ferrum football
games. 1970-71 Kiwanis Outstanding Basketball Official of the Year.
Employed at Shenandoah Life Insurance from 1961-89. Officiated at State
High School Basketball Championship Game. Officiated at NCAA Division
II football playoff game. Retired and living in Roanoke, Virginia.
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Daniel Danko ’69
Kingsport, Tennessee
Member of Ferrum’s 1968 National Junior College Athletic Association
championship football team. Played fullback for Panthers. Completed
bachelor’s degree at East Tennessee State University. Project Manager
for Dewberry and Davis Engineering Firm. Public Service Authority
Manager in Tazewell County. Town Manager of Bland, Virginia. Currently
owns and operates his own project managing business in Weber City,
Virginia. Responsible as project manager of the drainage system at W.B.
Adams Stadium at Ferrum College. Member of Ferrum’s first Alumni Sports
Hall of Fame Committee. Lives and works in Kingsport, Tennessee.
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Donna Doonan
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Coached Ferrum women’s basketball team for 29 years from 1977-2005.
Also coached women’s volleyball, softball, women’s tennis and men’s
tennis at Ferrum. Served as Senior Woman’s Administrator at Ferrum.
taught a number of courses during her tenure within the College's
Physical Education & Recreation Division. Her 1994-95 women’s
basketball team won Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (now USA
South Athletic Conference) post-season tournament and earned an
automatic berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs * Her 2002-03 team
earned a share of the USA South regular season title. Coached numerous
All-State, All-Conference and All-America players. Dixie/USA South
Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year in 1996 and 2003 * Four of her
former basketball players are enshrined in Ferrum Alumni Sports Hall of
Fame. Member of Women’s Basketball Coaches Association since its
inception in 1981. Served on NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball
Committee from 1997-2000. NCAA Division III National Chair in 2000 .
Member of the WBCA/ESPN Top-25 coaches’ poll. Currently employed at
Horace Mann Insurance Agency in South Florida.
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Larry Duty ’62
Amelia, Virginia
Played tackle for Ferrum football team in 1961. Co-Captain and 1st team
All-American in 1961. Ferrum College Student Council President in
1961. Earned full scholarship to play football at University of
Richmond. Helped coach freshman football team at University of Richmond
in 1964. Started for Spiders at fullback in 1962 and 1963. played two
years semi-pro football with Richmond Roadrunners & Richmond Mustangs.
Taught and coached football & track at Highland Springs High School.
helped organize and coach Amelia little league football. Amelia County
Executive Board extension agent. Selected four times for leadership to
farmers. Trainer county executives and served as district President
twice. State Benefits Chairperson, Vice-President and president of the
Farm Service Agency. Farm Service Agency Distinguished Service Award.
Member of Wytheville Kiwanis Club. Member of Amelia Ruritan Club, where
he served as Secretary, Vice-President and President. Involved with
Amelia Adopt-A-Highway Program.
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Keith Gary ’78
Washington, D.C.
Played football for Ferrum Panthers 1977 and 1978. Member of Ferrum’s
1977 National Junior College Athletic Association championship football
team. Earned full scholarship to play football at University of
Oklahoma. Big-8 Newcomer of the Year in 1979. All-Big-8 Defensive Team
in 1980. Starting defensive end in 1979 and 1980 Orange Bowl.
First-round draft choice of Pittsburgh Steelers in 1981, 17th player
chosen overall. Played in Montreal and Canadian Football Leagues in
1981 and 1982. Signed with Pittsburgh Steelers in 1983, played seven
full seasons with team. Dapper Dan Defensive Rookie of the Year in
1983. Played in several NFL playoff games, most notably in the 1985 AFC
Championship Game.
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Frederick Stovall ’90
Keysville, Virginia
Played football for Ferrum Panthers from 1986-89, three-year starter at
fullback. Helped Ferrum reach NCAA Division III playoffs three straight
years. Helped Panthers reach back-to-back NCAA Division III semifinals
in 1988 & 1989. Earned All-American honors from Football News in 1988
and 1989. Earned Virginia Sports Information Directors All-State honors
in 1989. Team Captain in 1989 and 1990. Also played baseball at Ferrum
as catcher. Earned All-Conference 1st team honors in 1989. Baseball
Team Captain in 1990. Was also a Community Advisor & Head Resident in
Ferrum’s Residence Life Program. Played semi-pro football in Lynchburg,
Virginia, after leaving Ferrum. Team was conference leader in playoff
appearances. Coached football at Randolph Henry High School, had seven
1000-yard rushers and two All-Star Game participants. Head basketball
coach at Randolph-Henry High School. Has been actively involved with
public speaking, summer youth programs, church male choir, little league
baseball . Currently serving our nation with the armed services in
Iraq.
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