Alumni, Students, Family and Friends of Ferrum College,

The Student Government Association has kicked off the 2003-2004 school year with a BANG! We are a new cabinet and have spent many hours preparing and training for our new positions.

Our cabinet, Joanna Bosik, President; Wayne Brockwell, Vice President; Jennifer Phillips, Vice President for Student Activities; Casey Vassar, Secretary; and Danielle Swanson, Treasurer, have had numerous leadership conferences and retreats. Our first retreat was held in August at Bernard’s Landing at beautiful Smith Mountain Lake. We were extremely lucky to have President Jennifer Braaten, Dean Richard Sours, Dean Dan Miller and Dean Dave Newcombe, along with faculty and staff, Barb Hatcher and Bettye Buckingham to help prepare us for the school year.

We began the year successfully, getting a number of students involved in committees and hosting class elections. We have wonderful slates, full of hard working student that really have made some incredible changes for their class.

Speaking of change, this is the basis of our platform. This year’s SGA cabinet has a motto to change the environment at Ferrum. We are promoting class togetherness, closing the gap between teachers and students and making our already existing events even better. We enjoy listening to our fellow students and trying to make their dreams a reality.

We had a successful turn out for out first activity, “FERRUM IDOL”! This contest was derived from the ever-popular television show, “American Idol”. Students came with songs that they had chosen to sing and competed for the grand prize of $350. The faculty judges were excellent, as was the audience participation. It was a great way to kick off the school year and definitely showed a great deal of Panther Pride!!!

One of our greatest accomplishments yet has been Homecoming 2003. Our goal was to give the students a homecoming that they would not soon forget. I know that this was accomplished. We began the week with a sidewalk chalk contest to decorate our campus and also to advertise the events later in the week. We continued to have contests, panther paw face painting, music and ice cream socials throughout the week. On Thursday, we hosted a powder-puff football game, featuring both female football players and guy cheerleaders. The Agriculture Club grilled and over a hundred fans came out to cheer on the teams. As I sat and laughed with my friends, I was so proud to be a part of this college community. Friday night, we had a bonfire/pep rally. The Underclass Homecoming Court winners were announced along with the football team starting line up. We ended the evening with smores! Saturday, the big game day, for the first time ever, Ferrum students and alumni spent time eating and talking during the Dress-Up luncheon located on Upper Adams field. SGA was thrilled to work with the alumni office in order to organize the luncheon that was a huge success.

SGA is planning a bigger and better Snowball dance. The theme is “Making Magic Mardi Gras Style” and we will be hosting a back drop contest that clubs can participate in. This gets clubs involved and also provides a cash prize to the club with the best backdrop. We will have excellent decorations, music and food. We are hoping that students, as well as faculty and staff get involved.

I could go on forever about our plans for public safety, ways to boost pride on campus, renovations of basketball courts, picnic areas, volleyball areas etc. We have endless ideas and spend much of our time asking the Ferrum College community for even more ideas. We are working hard and we can’t do it alone. Lucky for us that we have such a wonderful community that is willing to work hard with us.

We are so proud to be leaders and to be members of the Ferrum Community. We are working hard to give others the same opportunities, and more, that we have been given during our time here. We wish everyone a happy fall and hope to hear your comments, suggestions, or words of encouragement!

Joanna Bosik

SGA President