Dear Friends,
Joyous Holidays and special appreciation for all that you do for Ferrum! It is my honor and pleasure to send this letter that emphasizes highlights of our wonderful college, and the fall semester that is drawing to a close. We have been truly blessed by our growth in size and stature over these last few years. During the current economic storm that is battering all colleges and universities, our strong fall 2008 enrollment has enabled us to be less challenged than many institutions. We are grateful for this and give thanks for your continuing support.
Your generosity means the world to us! In many ways, the Ferrum College that you love and support truly reflects the "face of the future." The majority of our students are career-oriented with majors in business, criminal justice, teacher education, health sciences, environmental science, & social work. Approximately 25% are student athletes, 54% are males and 28% are African-American. They are primarily:
- » From our region & throughout the state of Virginia
- » 1st Generation college attendees
- » B+ high school students
- » Members of United Methodist, Baptist, Catholic & other Christian denominations
- Successful completion of our "Raising the Bar" capital campaign, including increasing the endowment to protect scholarship dollars in perpetuity;
- Achieving the fundraising goal for the planned $4.5 million Hank Norton Center for all student athletes;
- Increasing annual support (Ferrum Fund) for highly qualified faculty, outstanding courses, new programs in health career tracks, and additional dollars for academic support, student and faculty research, and mission trips.
Sincerely yours,
Jennifer L. Braaten
President
Jennifer L. Braaten
President
Ferrum College Holds Dedication Ceremony for New Student Residence Hall
On a beautiful November afternoon, family, friends, faculty and staff came together to dedicate Clark Hall, the college’s newest residence hall, named in memory of Margaret Clark, a dedicated Ferrum employee for 44 years. Clark passed away in June after a brief illness. Members of her family, former and current students, and colleagues took part in the dedication ceremony and offered special memories and stories about the woman who was so special to so many.During most of her 44 years at the college, Clark served as the college's registrar, where she made a profound impact upon the lives of generations of students. She always felt a strong responsibility to "be there for students" in the way in which she would like to have someone help her own child.
Read more about the dedication of Clark Hall »
Four International Students at Ferrum College Use the Thanksgiving Break to Raise Money for a Student in Africa
For most college students, the Thanksgiving break is just that - a break from studying and attending classes to rest and relax with family. However, for four international students here at Ferrum College it meant something else entirely. Instead of feasting on turkey and watching football games, the four students, Patrick Black from Northern Ireland, Youpeng Fu, from China, Youngkyu Lee, from South Korea, and Zhen Guo from China all traveled together to the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia over the Thanksgiving break. With their mountain bikes in tow, they rode the trails through the forest for a 400-mile trek to raise money so that a student in Africa can get the same opportunity they are getting – the opportunity for an education.Read more »
Ferrum Announces New Plans and New Direction for Hank Norton Center
In the last issues of FE, we updated you that the College has developed new plans and a new direction for the Hank Norton Center. At its meeting in November, our Board of Trustees approved moving ahead with full construction designs so that we can bid the project to potential contractors. This action puts the Norton Center on the road to construction. Please visit ferrum.edu/nortoncenter for a quick view of our new plans. The next issue of FE will be devoted entirely to the Norton Center. In that issue we will share our full roll-out of materials and communications strategies to our alumni and donors. We still need your gifts and pledges to this project. Please contact the development office at 540-365-4221.» Check out this Hank Norton Center preview!
Ferrum College Holds Special Conference based on Campus Theme of "Gender Roles in a Shrinking World" November 18-19
On November 18th and 19th Ferrum College hosted a special Conference based on the campus theme: "Legacies of the Past and Challenges for the Present: Gender Roles in a Shrinking World." The Conference was held in Garber Hall from 7–10 p.m. each night and featured students, faculty, and special guests who presented on various topics related to the theme.Read more »
Members of the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas Chapters of the American Cut Glass Association Meet at Ferrum College
It was a meeting full of "firsts" for members of the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas Chapters of the American Cut Glass Association. About 40 members gathered on the Ferrum College campus recently for a first ever joint chapter meeting. Professor of Mathematics and Curator of the Giesen Gallery of American Brilliant Cut Glass, Tony Giesen, arranged for the joint meeting to be held on campus for members to view his cut glass collection that is on display at Franklin Hall.Read more »
Despite Rainy Start, Blue Ridge Folklife Festival's 35th Year a Success
After a rainy and miserable start to the day, the sun came out and so did the crowds for the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival's 35th year. The festival brings together musicians and moonshiners, craftsmen and cooks, hot rodders and horse pullers from all over the region.This year, the festival packed in three stages of lively fiddle-and-banjo tunes, bluegrass gospel singing, ballads, and blues. Dale Jett, grandson of A. P. and Sara Carter, headed up a musical tribute to the legacy of the original Carter Family, the country music giants of the Great Depression. Two Mountain Dance workshops presented several premiere Blue Ridge buck dancers, flat footers, and cloggers in an exploration of the nuances of traditional dance in the region. The beat of the 50's returned to the Blue Ridge with a reunion of the Virginia Rockabilly band, The Dazzlers out of Brookneal, Virginia.
The Mountain Comforts Quilt Show, horse pulls, coon dog contest and sheep herding were just some of the other big events that keep people coming back year after year.
35th Annual Blue Ridge Folklife Festival Photo Gallery
See more about the 35th annual Blue Ridge Folklife Festival at the Folklife Media page!
Ferrum Students Come Out in Big Numbers to "Take Back the Night"
An event designed to raise awareness against domestic violence drew a big crowd on campus recently. Students from the class group SWK 330 Human Behavior and the Social Environment at Ferrum College invites students, faculty, staff and members of the surrounding communities to Take Back the Night on the Ferrum campus on October 23rd in the Panther’s Den in Franklin Hall.October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the event is an effort to raise awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault in the community. Students asked others who have experienced domestic violence, or know someone who has, to come and let their voices be heard that night. This year's event included musical performances, speakers, a poetry reading, a candlelight ceremony, and a moment of silence in remembrance of those who have been victims of domestic violence.
Shirts created by members of the Franklin County community who have been affected by domestic violence were strung on a clothesline in the middle of campus. Martha Haley-Bowling, Assistant Professor of Social Work and Take Back the Night organizer, says, "Ferrum College sponsors this event to draw awareness to an increasing problem in our society and community. The only way we can stop violence against women, children and men is to educate others and teach more appropriate coping skills. Violence is an issue that we must eradicate from our society and that change begins with each of us."
Students Trick-or-Treat for a Great Cause!
The 8th annual Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods was held last Friday, October 31st, involving students from 19 campus clubs/organizations and athletic teams, 15 Ferrum Lions Club members and volunteers at four Franklin County food pantries. Students distributed flyers to neighborhoods all around Ferrum, Rocky Mount and neighborhoods all the way down HWY 122 to West Lake Shopping Center. On Friday, October 31st, approx. 175 students met in the ARC for pizza and then took off for their assigned neighborhood to pick up items for the four food pantries here in Franklin County. Each team of students were met at an assigned food pantry after they collected in their neighborhood and members of the Lambda Sigma Sophomore Honor Society counted the number of items they collected. The grand total collected was 3,265 items of food this year and contributions are still being accepted! Our goal is to collect more than any other college in our conference, USA South!Food pantries delivered to:
- » St. James, Ferrum
- » God’s Provision, Rocky Mount/Boones Mill
- » Heavenly Manna, Rocky Mount
- » Lake Christian Ministries, SML area/Bedford
Campus clubs/organizations participating:
- » ΖΘΕ
- » Wildlife Club
- » Art Club
- » Russian Club
- » Big Buddy/Little Buddy
- » Alpha Phi Omega
- » Agriculture Club
- » African American Student Association
- » Political Science Club
- » Lambda Sigma Sophomore Honor Society
- » SGA
- » Student athletes from softball, baseball, basketball (men and women), soccer (men and women), lacrosse, tennis (men and women), volleyball
- » Social Work Club
- » Psychology Club
- » Panther Productions
- » ΚΑΣ
- » ΣΑΚ
- » Ferrum Christian Fellowship
Ferrum Resident Advisor Wins an Honorable Mention in National Contest
Resident Advisor, Mary Rimasse, received an honorable mention in a national contest and her residents in Bassett Hall couldn’t be happier. That’s because her prize benefits them all with free soap to do their laundry for the rest of the year. Caldwell Gregory (Ferrum’s laundry facility company) sponsored a bulletin board contest at the schools they represent. Mary won an honorable mention and was the only RA here at Ferrum who won. She takes home a $50 gift card from Target and free laundry detergent for all her residents. Her Bulletin Board is on display in the Bassett Lobby for those interested in checking it out! Congratulations Mary!
A Celebration for Ferrum
Doctors Kevin and Nancy Dye hosted the College's Raising the Bar Roanoke regional campaign event on October 2, at Historic Rockledge, which is perched on the side of Roanoke's Mill Mountain. With the Dyes graciously welcoming 60 special guests to their home, the stunning setting offered a panoramic view of Roanoke as the sun set and evening lights twinkled across the valley.
The evening, themed a Celebration for Ferrum, introduced new friends to Ferrum. Speaking on behalf of the students, Khoseraw Habibi, a native of Afghanistan, eloquently elaborated on the unique opportunities that Ferrum provides for its students--even those from halfway across the world. His dreams, he shared, have been made possible by his Ferrum education and experience.
The event, which was planned and co-hosted by Sam and Rindy Lionberger, Eddie and Dawn Hearp, and Ron and Kris Willard, was a huge success as guests discovered many of the facets of Ferrum. Ron Willard, who also serves at the campaign chairman, encouraged guests to take time to learn more about the special qualities of Ferrum and its students and to support the College with their time and gifts.