Educational Foundation, College Team to Strengthen Community Outlook, Start College Access Program

 (540) 365-4307/ lbowling@ferrum.edu

           Ferrum College, in partnership with the Patrick County Education Foundation (PCEF), has announced that it will offer an initial $50,000 in scholarships a year for Patrick County residents who wish to pursue a college education. The collaboration is the result of a county-wide economic development project spearheaded by former Governor Gerald Baliles. The partnership began with private discussions between Baliles, Ferrum College President Dr. Jennifer L. Braaten, and Foundation Executive Director Jerry Hughes.

           “The Foundation’s effort is a noble undertaking with real life impact. Ferrum is incredibly pleased to be a part of an opportunity to assist our neighbors in Patrick County. Assisting the PCEF achieve its goals is in keeping with the ideal of our College mission, ‘Not Self, But Others,’” says Braaten.

           Baliles and Hughes expressed their delight in Ferrum College’s interest and significant financial commitment to furthering the Foundation’s goal of making a college education more accessible to Patrick County residents.

           The College has a long-term relationship with the county, and currently enrolls 25 Patrick County students. Braaten elaborates, “We would love to see our number grow to 50 plus in the next several years.”

           Baliles stated, “ I believe that by combining the Ferrum scholarships, existing financial assistance sources, and the Foundation’s need-based scholarships that we will be able to make a college education possible for many more residents per year.”

           The “Patrick County College Access Program” is one measure in a three-pronged Foundation approach to elevate the county’s economic outlook and to explore new-economy opportunities. The Foundation’s objectives include creating access to higher education and instructing families about college, financial aid, and affordability. In its first year the Foundation’s program identified over $450,000 in financial aid for Patrick County residents and awarded over $17,000 in need-based scholarships.

           Ferrum College is the first higher education institution to partner with the Foundation on this program. Ferrum has also offered to assist the Foundation and Patrick County Public Schools with PSAT and SAT test preparation for high schoolers and GED preparation for Patrick County citizens and to host a college fair later in this school year on Ferrum’s campus.

           Patrick County currently ranks 112th among Virginia counties in the number of citizens with college degrees. The county ranks 114th in citizens who possess a high school education. Recent layoffs and industry closings in Martinsville/Henry County have created significant concern about the county’s long-term employment opportunities.

           The Foundation recently announced an initiative to provide financial incentives for Patrick County adults to obtain a high school diploma through the Patrick County Public School’s Adult Education Program and will announce an innovative workforce development program by the end of the year.

           Education, Hughes and Foundation members agree, is the key to preparation for and participation in distinguishing the county for economic development. They argue that traditional economic development tools such as highways, shell buildings, and industrial parks are important, but that many regions competing for industry also offer these amenities. An educated, trained worker base will provide the economic leg-up that the county needs, particularly in an economy that values intellectual power over physical fortitude.

           For more information on the Patrick County Educational Foundation or its programs and services, please call (276) 694-6542.

           Ferrum College is a four-year, private, co-educational, liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Ferrum offers a choice of nationally recognized bachelor’s degree programs at a cost well below the national average for private colleges. For more information on Ferrum, visit www.ferrum.edu.
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