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Upcoming
Events
Holiday
Music Concert
Monday, December 3
Vaughn Chapel
7:00pm
Panel
of Death Penalty Opponents
Tuesday December 4
Panther’s Den
7:00 - 8:30pm
Jazz
and Gospel Concert
Friday, December 7
Sale Theatre
7:30pm
African
American Literature Conference
Friday, December 7 and
Saturday, December 8
Panther’s Den
Starts at 6:15pm Friday
Talent
Show
Saturday, December 8
Sale Theatre
8:00 - 10:00pm
Holiday
Craft Bazaar
Tuesday, December 11
Franklin Hall Atrium
10:00am- 4:00pm
Fall
Dance Recital
Tuesday, December 11
Sale Theatre
7:30pm
Alumni
Events
December
Thursday, December 6th
Lynchburg Alumni Chapter
Meriwethers Market Restaurant
4925 Boonsboro Road
6PM
Alumni We love to hear from you! Call
us at 1-877-FERRUM1 or contact us via email at alumni@ferrum.edu.
Keep sending those class notes! As always, please let us know if
you need us! Year
End |
Ferrum
College Holds African American Literature Conference December 7 -
8
Former
National Poetry Slam winner and Ferrum College alumna Patricia A. Johnson
will be the featured artist at Ferrum College’s African American
Literature Conference December 7-8. Johnson, author of Stain My Days
Blue, will perform her own poetry and that of other writers Friday, Dec.
7, at 6:15 in the Panther’s Den in Franklin Hall. In addition,
she will speak at the luncheon on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 12:30, also in
the Panther’s Den.
Read More...
National
and Regional Participants Invited to Ferrum College During Year-long
Focus on the Death Penalty
A
best selling author and an exonerated death row inmate will be among
participants in events planned at Ferrum College that will focus on the
many controversial issues related to the death penalty as part of the
College’s year-long emphasis on Social and Economic Justice: Regional
and Global Connections.
Read More...
Board Undergoes Kidney Transplant Surgery
Kevin Board, a senior tennis player for Ferrum College, who was diagnosed
with Henoch-Schonlein purpura as a child, underwent successful kidney
transplant surgery in October and is recuperating well. Board received
a kidney from Eli Blevins, a co-worker with Board at FYE (For Your Entertainment)
in Roanoke. The two young men underwent surgery Thursday, October 18,
at the University of Virginia Transplant Center at University Hospital
in Charlottesville. Blevins was released from the hospital Saturday,
October 20, and Board was released Monday, October 22. Both are doing
well and have been spending a lot of time together. Board’s body has
accepted the kidney well and he is at home healing. Board and his parents
would like to thank everyone at the College who helped with fundraising
efforts to help offset medical costs. Special thanks go out to Coach
Holden, who coordinated the Tennis-4-K-Board fundraiser last April with
the Student Leadership & Engagement Office and the Athletic Department.
Board anticipates a return to campus in time for classes to begin in
January for the spring 2008 semester.
Dear Friends,
What a joyous time of year on the Ferrum College campus! Even as many of us are busier than ever with preparations for final exams, hosting numerous special events and festivities on campus and rehearsing for musical and dramatic performances, we still find time to “deck the halls” with wreaths and bows and take a few moments to savor these special days leading up to the celebration of Christmas and the New Year. We are richly blessed on the Ferrum campus to have such a diverse community and extend best wishes to those who are celebrating Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and other cultural and religious holidays during this time.
Our “e” Christmas card this year is a snapshot of newly renovated Britt Hall, one of our historic and beautiful campus buildings. With its entrance adorned for the season, it presented a photo opportunity that we could not pass up! Britt is home to the School of Arts & Humanities, under the leadership of Associate Dean Dr. John Bruton. Numerous majors in the “SA&H” include art, dramatic & theatre arts, English, history, performing and visual arts, philosophy, religion, Russian, social studies and Spanish. John Bruton notes that there is always something going on within the school—plays, music programs, a literary magazine, coffeehouses that encourage self expression, an excellent newspaper, and art exhibitions featuring the work of local artists, faculty, and students. Arts and Humanities faculty contribute heavily to the core curriculum and the honors program as well. John also notes that having all of these resources for learning under one umbrella with a talented and dedicated faculty is a very exciting idea. You can click on the link in this paragraph to access full information about all the offerings in the SA&H, including minors, as well as a complete roster of faculty and staff. You may also visit the website to find complete information about our School of Social Sciences and our School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics.
We send you the warmest of wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season. We
hope you have safe travels, the opportunity to “re-charge and renew,”
and the time to reflect with family and friends on the beautiful message
of this very special time of year.
Sincerely,
Jennifer L. Braaten
President
Top
Stories
Ferrum
College Student Receives $5,000 for Volunteer Service
Ferrum College freshman, Ben Thacker, was awarded a $5,000 scholarship
for his years of volunteer service at the Beverly Living Center in Charlottesville,
VA. The company that owns the Center, Golden Living, flew
Thacker to their headquarters in Arkansas to surprise him during a special
celebration dinner in his honor. Thacker, who volunteered at the
center since he was a child, recently received the “2007
Young Adult Volunteer of the Year” Award from the American
Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living.
“I don't think of what I do as volunteering. I think of it as a part of who I am,” said Thacker in his acceptance speech. “Because of my experience, I think that I have a better understanding of the importance of respecting and cherishing the lives and wisdom of my elders.”
Thacker began volunteering at the Cedars just days after he was born. His mother would bring him to work and let the residents help care for Ben. Since that time, he has volunteered in almost every department at the facility. He has painted rooms, raked leaves and hung pictures. His projects have also ranged from building parade floats to making homemade apple butter. But most importantly, Ben has given one of life’s most important commodities to the residents at the Cedars; his time. He has spent countless hours playing checkers and calling out numbers at bingo. He has even arranged for residents to attend his baseball games each spring. “Ben is a shower of blessings,” said Ruth Estes, a resident at Golden Living who wrote a letter of recommendation on Thacker’s behalf. “I really love him. He is like a son to me.”
Thacker is currently a freshman at Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA. “We are thrilled to reward Ben for his years of service to our facility, and for the positive impact he has made on the lives of our residents,” said the facility’s Executive Director, Scott Overstreet. “Ben is a true role model for people of all ages.”
Earlier in the year, Thacker also won the “2007 Volunteer
of the Year Award” from the Virginia Health Care Association. This
made him eligible for the national award. Thacker is the son
of Bruce and Margaret Thacker of Crozet, Va., and he is a 2007 graduate
of the Miller School.
Ferrum College Student Saves
Couple After House Explosion
Ferrum
College student Yuji Hairston is being credited with saving an elderly
couple in Rocky Mount, VA after their home exploded on the morning of
October 26th. The homeowners, Robert and Mary Turner, were trapped
inside their burning home. Hairston, who lives nearby, said, “I
heard the explosion and thought ‘someone needs to help.’ Then I
thought, ‘I can help.’ So I did.”
Hairston, a junior double majoring in Biology and Chemistry at Ferrum
College, is no stranger to dangerous situations. He spent 8 years
in the Marine Corps and in 2005 served 7-months in Iraq. He says
the risk of going inside a burning building never crossed his mind. He
says his training with the military’s Chemical/Biological Incident Response
Force (CBIRF) taught him how to navigate his way around the smoke-filled
home to find those inside. He found Mary Turner on the floor of
the bedroom. Hairston, who has long hair, said “She took one look
at me with my big hair and beard and was terrified. I had to calm her
down and explain that I was there to help. It took some coaxing,
but I was finally able to get her to safety.”
Hairston says he then heard Robert Turner’s yells coming from the basement
of the home, where the fire is believed to have originated. He
could see the flames from the basement windows and ran to the back of
the home where he yelled for Robert. He says when he saw Robert,
he kicked a door down to get to him. “It took me a moment to realize
what I was seeing.” Hairston explained. “He literally walked
through the flames toward me when I yelled for him.”
Hairston’s actions that morning exemplify Ferrum College’s motto, “Not
Self, But Others.” The Rocky Mount Town Council recognized Hairston’s
actions by proclaiming Friday, November 16th as “Yuji Hairston Day” in
Rocky Mount. The town Mayor, Steve Angle, presented a resolution to Hairston
commending him for rescuing the couple. Reading from the resolution,
Angle said that Hairston "acted selflessly and without regard to
personal harm and endangerment, demonstrating the highest and most admirable
qualities of personal sacrifice and unflinching aid to fellow human beings."
The home, located on High Street in Rocky Mount, was considered a complete
loss. Police say a propane heater in the basement was to blame.
Robert Turner, who sustained severe burns from the explosion later died
as a result of those injuries.
The 34th
Annual Blue Ridge Folklife Festival
On a beautiful October day, the Ferrum College campus came alive with
folk artists and artisans from all around the region in a celebration
of Blue Ridge heritage during the 34th Blue Ridge Folklife Festival.
Nearly 50 artisans attended and showed off their traditional skills. Other
exhibits included the 19th annual Mountain Comforts Quilt Show, where
over 100 quilts were entered for judging. The Viewer’s Choice winner
was "Lily's Victor Garden--Blooming Nine-Patch," made by Lily
P. Chatham of Axton, Virginia. The runner-up was "Mariner's
Fancy," made by Frances Calhoun of Lynchburg, Virginia.
Horse pulls, coon dog contests, sheep herding, oxen driving and
the Virginia State Championship Mule Jumping Contest were just a few
of the other varied and colorful events that bring visitors back each
year.
One of the main highlights this year was the “Music of the Coal Miners”
Workshop, showcasing songs from the coalfields of western Virginia about
the mining life. Featured musicians included a range of musical
styles that the Blue Ridge is known for, from Bo Hanks and his old-time
Piedmont blues to the Allen Boys with their “sacred steel” style of praise. String
bands, bluegrass bands, ballad singers, even a rockabilly piano player
performed on three music stages.
Mark your calendars! The 2008 Blue Ridge Folklife Festival will be held
on October 25th.
» Click
here for more photos
Moore
Hall Dedicated in Memory of Generous Benefactor
The Board of Trustees of Ferrum College, along with college
president Dr. Jennifer Braaten and distinguished guests, gathered on
a beautiful November afternoon for the dedication ceremony of Moore Hall,
the college’s newest state-of-the-art residence hall. The building
is named in memory of R. Stuart Moore, a former trustee and one of Ferrum’s
most generous benefactors.
Moore, who felt a need to help students who did not have the financial means for a college education, left a gift of $7.75 million to Ferrum College when he died in 1992. The gift, one of the largest in the college’s history, helped set up two independent trusts that fund endowments for scholarships and operating costs. Moore also donated his extensive art collection to Ferrum. The collection, consisting of 117 paintings that Moore collected over his lifetime, can be seen in both the College President’s home and John Wesley Hall.
Jane Stogner, a former art professor at Ferrum College, remembers Moore fondly and is thrilled the College decided to honor him in this way. “He believed in the mission of the college and his passion in life was collecting art.” Stogner says. “I always had my students go over to the President’s home and John Wesley Hall to see his collection and understand the background. I truly believe that his generous gift enriched the lives of both our students and community because they were surrounded by beautiful art every day.”
Moore was President and Chief Executive Officer of The Lane Co., a furniture
manufacturer. Douglas Lane, and his mother, Minnie Lane, both attended
the dedication ceremony and spoke about Moore’s legacy and commitment
to Ferrum. Although Moore never attended Ferrum, it was his mother who
inspired him to believe in the college and its mission. She sold
baked goods at church to raise money for students who attended the original
Ferrum Training School. Lisa Bowling, Director of Development at Ferrum
College says, "While a savvy businessman driven by success, Stuart
Moore was inspired by beauty, creativity, and people. Just as his
company took raw wood and formed treasures of lasting value, his philanthropy
has transformed lives and created a human legacy that has enriched our
communities and Commonwealth, as well as generations to come. Moore
Hall pays tribute to a leader who literally and figuratively changed
the face of Ferrum College."
Construction of Moore Hall began in January 2007 and was completed in
only 8 months. It features 12 fully furnished apartments, each with 4
bedrooms, two baths, and a common area with kitchenette. It is
a twin to Arthur Hall, which was completed in 2006. These two buildings,
located in the center of the campus, represent the final phase of FerrumPLUS!,
the college’s most ambitious construction and renovation project in 50
years.
» Click
here for more photos
Ferrum
College Administrator Receives
2007 Pioneer Award
Ferrum
College is proud to announce that Dave Newcombe, Director of Student
Leadership and Engagement, has been selected to receive the 2007 Virginia
Pioneer Award. Newcombe will be presented the award during
the Annual Virginia Student Services Conference at Wintergreen Resort
on November 15th.
The award is designed to honor those professionals who have helped build,
develop, and grow the profession of Virginia Student Services within
the state of Virginia. Newcombe says, “This is totally unexpected
and I am truly surprised and humbled by this award. I am not only
honored, but I share this with Ferrum College which has supported me
in my professional development endeavors for 21 years.”
The winner is nominated and selected by the Virginia Student Services Conference Committee, which is made up of Student Affairs professionals in the state. The criteria for this award include: over 15 years of service, exemplary leadership, state-wide contributions, commitment to the field of student services, and demonstrated mentorship. Angela M. Jackson, Associate Director of Off-Campus Living and Entertainment Chair of Virginia Student Services Conference says, “we are very excited to extend this award to Dave. He is very deserving and his work within Student Services and the state of Virginia have and I'm sure will continue to be outstanding.”
Dave Newcombe’s career in Higher Education has spanned thirty years. In 1986 Newcombe answered the call for a Director of Residence Life position at Ferrum College and 21 years later is still serving the institution. In 1989 Dave was appointed Dean of Student Affairs. Over the years Dave has worn many hats supervising various areas during his tenure as Dean of Students. These areas have included: Residence Education, Judicial Affairs, Counseling, Career Services, Experiential Learning, First Year Experience and Student Leadership and Activities.
In 2005 Newcombe was appointed Director of Student Leadership and Engagement,
which incorporates Student Leadership, Activities, and Intramurals and
the Gateway Program for new students.
Bread & Puppet Theater
On November 6th Ferrum College welcomed The Bread and
Puppet Theater, one of the country’s oldest alternative
theatrical companies, to campus. The Bread and Puppet Theater was
founded in 1962 by Peter Schumann and uses a variety of puppets as
well as masks, costumes, paintings, buildings and landscapes in its
productions. Through music, dance and slapstick, the acts vary
from carefully choreographed theater pieces to outdoor pageants requiring
the participation of hundreds of performers, including volunteers.
After a brief delay in getting to campus after running into car trouble, the
theater troupe held a workshop and performance on the intramural softball field.
Several members of the Ferrum College faculty and staff, as well as volunteers
from the community participated in a performance that definitely didn’t disappoint.
About 150 people from all over the area came to enjoy the performance..
Bread and Puppet’s shows combine costumes and puppetry with a brass
band and street dancing. Their overall message centers around universal
peace, keeping with Ferrum’s 2007-08 academic year theme of social and
economic justice.
» Click
here for more photos
Ferrum College Honors the Memory of Virginia Tech
Professor During Annual Day of Remembrance and
Promise Ceremony
The Ferrum College Community came together on November 1st for “A Day
of Remembrance and Promise” in memory of the Holocaust and its survivors.
The theme of the event, “Remembering the Gifted Among Us,” focused on
commemorating the life of Professor Liviu Librescu, a Virginia Tech teacher
and Holocaust survivor, who died while attempting to protect his students
during the Virginia Tech tragedy on April 16th. A dwarf nandina plant
and bronze plaque, purchased with generous donations from the campus
community, were placed in the college’s Holocaust Garden during a special
dedication ceremony. The plaque reads:
George Loveland, Associate Professor of Library Science, spearheaded
the memorial for Professor Librescu because he says his actions on April
16th lie close to the heart of Ferrum’s motto: “Not Self, But Others.”
“It’s what makes Professor Librescu’s life so poignant.” Loveland says.
“As a very young man, released from a Nazi work camp … (he) must have
felt bitter … somehow, though, he chose life instead; he threw in his
lot with those of us who believe that education is a force of light in
a sometimes dark and brutal world. And finally, toward the end of that
life and service, when confronted with evil once again, he willingly
gave up his life ... for his students.”
After the dedication, Holocaust survivor and artist, Mark Strauss, gave
a special presentation of his story as a survivor. Pieces of his art
were also on display during the event.
Holiday
Shopping
Don’t forget that special Ferrum holiday gift for your favorite student, parent
or alum! Shop our Bookstore online at www.ferrumbookstore.com and
have a very merry Ferrum Christmas!
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Photo
Galleries
November
2007
Southern Virginia
University Faculty
November 6, 2007
Bread & Puppet
Theatre
November 2, 2007
Moore
Hall Dedication
October
2007
United
Way Bowlathon
October
27, 2007
Blue
Ridge Folklife Festival
October 13, 2007
Homecoming
Weekend
October 12, 2007
Corron
Classic Panther Open
October
10, 2007
Human
Services Career Fair
October 2007
Blue
Ridge Clay Invitational
September
2007
Family
Weekend Photos
September
2007
Moore
Hall
September
2007
Betsy
Bannan Art Exhibit
Wallpapers
Schoolfield
Hall & Sale Theater
Farm Museum
More
Wallpapers...
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Athletics
News:
Davenport Earns All-Tournament
Men's Basketball Wins Home-Opener
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