A Society of Visionary Leaders

Name after the Reverend Dr. C. Ralph Arthur for his legacy of fundraising as Ferrum's seventh President, the Arthur Society honors alumni and friends who give at least $1,000 to the Ferrum Fund (unrestricted operating fund) during the fiscal year

EDMUND B. FITZGERALD IV ’82

“A place where everyone knows your name” is the description Ed Fitzgerald ’82 gives of his home town of Gretna, Va. It is the same description he gives of Ferrum College and the close-knit community that surrounds it. “The professors offer support to every student and you are able to form a personal relationship with the staff,” says Fitzgerald. He carried this feeling and the motto of Ferrum College, “not self, but others,” into the small telephone company he ran years later. “Professors at Ferrum cared about the success of students, and in my business I cared about the success and happiness of the customers.”

While he was a student at Ferrum, Fitzgerald admits his lifestyle required discipline and notes that his teachers constantly showed him how much they cared by “sticking their noses into his business.”

Caring and thoughtfulness are the hallmarks of Fitzgerald’s current activities. He is actively involved in many community-based programs, such as the Kairos Prison Ministries, his son’s Christian Fellowship club, and activities at nursing homes and homeless shelters. Fitzgerald and his family, which includes his wife and his two children, have traveled to India several times to work with vacation Bible school and area ministries. He believes that sharing his faith and giving back to his community are essential aspects of his life. “You must embrace your work and find your passion in life,” says Fitzgerald. “I think every day about how I can contribute something to better the world, and I hope others can do the same.”

Fitzgerald is quick to point out what a terrific investment can be found in the future of Ferrum College. “In today’s world, there are so many opportunities for use of your time and money and so many chances to lose everything; investing in Ferrum is a guaranteed 100 percent return on your investment.” As a member of the Alumni Board of Directors, he has seen firsthand the changes visible on campus, from the environmentally friendly new buildings to the increase in support at football games and campus activities, demonstrating how Ferrum is looking toward the future and pursuing excellence. Says Fitzgerald, “I still love to walk onto campus and talk to the students about what they are doing. Not many colleges still have that kind of family atmosphere.” He feels that the students graduating from Ferrum are truly prepared to live the Ferrum motto. Fitzgerald sums it up best when he says, “How can you go wrong being associated with Ferrum College?”

For more information about becoming an Arthur Society member, please contact Gene Bourne, Director of Ferrum Fund, gbourne@ferrum.edu or 540-365-4310.