Dear Ferrum Friends,

Happy New Year! It was wonderful to welcome our new and returning students for the spring 2005 semester, and with record warm temperatures during check-in it truly felt like spring. In every season we are blessed by the beauty of our campus.

I have already been “around the world for Ferrum” during these first weeks of the New Year, traveling from Dallas (NCAA Management Council meeting), to Manila in the Philippines (as GBHEM representative to the Asia Pacific Federation of Christian Schools Biennial Conference), to Nashville (University Senate visit for NASCUMC), to Washington, DC (for the annual NASCUMC meeting), and of course, throughout Virginia. Everywhere I go, as I spread the good news about Ferrum, I continue to be uplifted by the dedication and commitment of our United Methodist constituents. I love to quote John Wesley’s credo, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” His message reverberates today in the words and deeds of our alumni, friends and supporters all over the globe, keeping alive another famous Wesley quote that “The world is my parish.”

This issue of Fe is packed with information about news and upcoming events, including activities in conjunction with Ferrum’s celebration of Black History Month. There are alumni events scheduled throughout the state this month and we hope as many of you as possible can join us at one or more of these gatherings. A few faculty, staff and student highlights to note: Art professor Jane Stogner will be offering courses in drawing and painting at Smith Mountain Lake, our current and former student athletes continue to shine and make us proud, and an essay by professor of English Marcia Horn has been published in a new anthology, Teaching the Representation of the Holocaust. Marcia was also recently featured on National Public Radio in an interview with NPR correspondent Barbara Bogaev, regarding the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Professor of History Richard Smith recently authored a two-part article, "Medieval Coins, West African Gold: Secrets and Lies Behind the Trans-Saharan Trade," that was published in the October and November 2004 issues of The Celator, a Journal of Ancient and Medieval Coinage. And congratulations to Dean Browell, our Director of Public Relations, who has published his first novel, Extra Heroes: Patterns & Choices! And don’t forget to check out the art exhibits in Greer Gallery – the Edward Brown exhibit continues through February 6, followed by the Senior Art Major Shows – as well as two exciting Senior Drama Major Shows, to be performed in Sale Theatre on February 18 & 20. February may be the shortest month of the year, but it’s a month when the Ferrum campus is brimming with talent!

I would like to extend a special thank you to all those individuals, including students, faculty and staff, who helped to collect $2,425 for Tsunami Relief during the first two weeks of the semester. Every dollar raised will go directly for need in the devastated areas of South Asia through UMCOR. Special thanks to Dean of the Chapel Wes Astin and the students in his class on “Understanding Mission.” The class was used as a context for discussion, mobilization and implementation of the relief effort on campus.

We very much appreciate all that you have done and continue to do to help foster our vision for Ferrum’s future. As a recent visitor to campus observed, “I had no idea that this was such a special place.” Ferrum is indeed a special place where, thanks to your continuing generosity, our students thrive in an atmosphere of caring and collegiality and enjoy an unparalleled educational experience.

Tsunami Relief Efforts & Ferrum
Ferrum College has embarked on an institution-wide campaign for tsunami relief effort funds that will be integrated into the Religion course Understanding Mission: A Biblical Perspective. Money will be donated through a special fund established by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) which will guarantee every dollar goes to relief and recovery efforts in South Asia. Ferrum is making this its major relief effort in hopes to consolidate efforts and mobilize the Ferrum College community to assist in the aftermath of the South Asia tragedies.

Dr. Jennifer Braaten, Ferrum College President said, “We join with the world in praying for victims of the disastrous tsunamis in South Asia.”

“I have been in touch with UMCOR and they are saying that funding is desperately needed since there are so many needs facing the people at this time,” said Dean of the Chapel & Religious Life, the Reverend Wes Astin. “We hope this will be a two to three week campaign and I hope you will be supportive of our students when asked to give.” Read more and find out how you can help...

Catch the Latest Ferrum Magazine?
Mailed in December, the most recent issue of the Ferrum Magazine is one of our biggest ever! With special anniversary looks at Ferrum Football, the Iron Blade Student Newspaper and the Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre, this issue also includes an expanded Class Notes section, Alumni Profiles galore and the Honor Roll of Donors. This issue also bears the distinction of being entirely produced in-house, from writing to design. The entire layout and creative effort was handled by Webmaster Suzie Kelly under the supervision of Editors Dean Browell and Joanna Coleman. Make sure you update your mailing address with the Alumni Office to ensure you don't miss another issue! Grab a PDF of the current issue and view older issues...

Art Classes at Smith Mountain Lake In February
Lake area residents will be able to take advantage of the excellent academic courses offered by Ferrum College at the nearby Smith Mountain Lake 4-H Center beginning in February, 2005. During a period of six Wednesdays from February 2 through March 9, well known, award winning local artist, and Professor of Art at Ferrum College, Jane Duncan Stogner, will present Introduction/Intermediate Drawing from 9:00am until Noon. This will be a basic course in drawing skills and concepts in which participants are introduced to various drawing media including pencil, charcoal, ink and mixed media. From 1:00pm until 4:00pm Professor Stogner will also present Introduction/Intermediate Painting in which contemporary and traditional styles and techniques of painting through class participation and demonstrations will be featured. Registration Information & More...

Ferrum Athletic News
The Athletics website features several new stories including:
Ferrum College graduate Doug Gibson '01 has been named General Manager of the Martinsville Mustangs, the city of Martinsville's (VA) new baseball franchise;Freshman midfielder Cara Kolina has been named to the 2004 College Division Women's Soccer All-State Team; and Freshman point guard Kenny Johnson has been named this week's USA South Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week. Catch up on all your Athletic news here & read more...

All Sports Schedules Online!
Catch all the games you can, home and away, of your Ferrum Panthers! Every fall athletic schedule has been added to our new online calendar available right on the front page of the Ferrum website! Browse the calendar...

Ferrum Professor Marcia Horn Featured in Holocaust Anthology
The recently published Teaching the Representation of the Holocaust, an anthology of Holocaust essays, features an essay by Ferrum College Professor Marcia Horn, who also could be recently heard on NPR's Weekend America. The essay, appearing in the "Classroom Contexts" section, is entitled "Winning Support for a Multidisciplinary Holocaust Course at a Small Liberal Arts College." Teaching the Representation of the Holocaust is edited by Marianne Hirsch and Irene Kacandes and is published in hardcover and softcover by the Modern Language Association. Order the book here...

New Health Sciences Program Allied With Graduate Programs Ferrum College has begun providing a Health Sciences Major, bolstered by agreements for further education at graduate institutions, for the burgeoning need for skilled medical professionals. Students will be able to take advantage of a three-year program at Ferrum before specializing in a targeted institution in their field. Articulation agreements have been reached with Shenandoah University’s Doctor of Pharmacy program in Shenandoah, VA and the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Simmons College in Boston, MA. Announcements on additional articulation agreements are forthcoming. Read more...

Public Relations Director Publishes Novel for Teens
Dean Browell, Director of Public Relations, has published his novel, Extra Heroes: Patterns & Choices (for ages 13+). Patterns & Choices, the first Extra Heroes novel, takes the super-hero genre out of its typical comic book element and explores themes of heroism and responsibility through a thoughtful and original cast of characters. Order the book...

On-Line Giving
The development office is pleased to announce that you can now make your gift to Ferrum on-line using our secure server and your credit card. It is safe, secure, and an easy way to support the Ferrum Fund or any of the other exciting activities happening at Ferrum. From the Ferrum College homepage, follow the SUPPORT FERRUM link to our on-line giving site. Ferrum uses gifts from alumni and friends to enhance the educational opportunities given to our students. Please support the College and make your gift on-line.

Call for Distinguished Alumni Award Nominations!
Nomination info due by January 30th
Click to download a Word document with nomination information.

Call for Sports Hall of Fame Nominations!
In honor of eighty years of Panther Athletics, and in recognition of the many contributions Ferrum student-athletes have made throughout their careers, the Ferrum Alumni Association and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced its inaugural season of the Ferrum College Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. Since then, former Panthers have been honored each year with induction ceremonies held during the fall. It is again the time of year when Ferrum College seeks your assistance in identifying deserving individuals for induction into the Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2005. Read the rest of the letter here...
Download the Sports Hall of Fame nomination form here

Winter @ Ferrum
Snow finally visits us for the winter! Check out photos of campus...

Alumni Calendar

Events In February:
February is Black History Month

Tuesday, February 1st
Washington , DC alumni event The Lone Star Steakhouse, 6:00 pm
9738 Lee Highway, Fairfa; Please RSVP by Jan. 27th. More info...

Tuesday, February 15th Franklin County
Olde Virginia Barbeque, 12pm

Tuesday, February 15th Roanoke Area Alumni Chapter
El Rancho Viejo (old Ground Round location), 6pm

Tuesday, February 22nd Shenandoah Valley, L’Italia, 6pm
23 E Beverly Street, Staunton

Sunday, February 6th Southside Area
Dr. Braaten will be speaking at Stuart United Methodist Church at 11:00 am
Lunch to follow at El Rancho, 12:30 pm
119 North Main Street, Stuart

Monday, February 28th Lynchburg
Neighbors Place, 6pm
100 Paulette Circle, Lynchburg

Events In April:

April 4th-5th Women's Leadership Conference

Saturday, April 9th Danville-South Boston
Four Oakes Restaurant, 5:00 pm

Saturday, April 16th
Richmond Chapter
Strawberry Hill Race
More details to follow

Saturday, April 23rd
Secretarial Sciences Alumni
On campus, 3:00 pm
More details to follow

Events In May:

Saturday, May 7th Graduation-Beckham Award presented

Friday-Sunday, May 13-15th Alumni Weekend-A Celebration of Golden Reunions

Friday-Saturday, May 20-21st Ferrum College
Football Reunion with Hank Norton
For more information, please contact the Alumni Office at alumni@ferrum.edu or Athletic Director, Abe Naff, at anaff@ferrum.edu.

For more events on the Ferrum Campus, check out our new online, interactive calendar!

Refer A Student:

...And His or Her Fee Is Waived! Download the form for Alumni Referral, give it to a prospective student and they can use it to defer the application fee! It's a small Word document file that could make a big impact! Download here! Also suggest that they attend a Spring Open House on the Saturdays of February 19 & April 16. They can register online at this link...

On the Web:

Check our the redesign of the Ferrum College front page, courtesy of Webmaster Suzie Kelly and Public Relations. New features include a sleek new design and an interactive calendar for all campus events! View your new homepage at: Ferrum.edu...

Ferrum Outdoors
New website

Adult Education
New website
Find downloads here

Admissions Materials
Download publications here

The Strategic Plan
Download the Brochure PDF

Read Past Newsletters
A new archive is available for readers of Fe to browse past issues from our launch in March of 2003 to the present! Click to visit...