Under
sunny skies and alongside Adams Lake, 150 men and women graduated at
Ferrum College today, May 8, in a commencement ceremony led by Dr. Jennifer
L. Braaten, who presided over her second graduation as Ferrum’s 10th
president.
Dr. Braaten addressed the assembled graduates
and their family and friends on their accomplishments and the road ahead.
On the Ferrum experience she noted the three dimensions of the Ferrum
community, “scholarly, faith and service.”
Gathered guests also heard encouraging
words from keynote speaker Virginia State Senator Charles Hawkins and
Senior Speaker Sam Ragsdale of Midlothian, VA. Hawkins, a Senator from
the 19th District since 1992, also served in the House of Delegates
from 1982 to 1992. Ragsdale graduated with a major in Environmental
Science and a minor in Biology and will be attending VCU Grad School
to study Urban and Regional Planning.
Ferrum honored the achievements
of students, faculty and Alumni at the event. Awards presented to students
include: The James T. Catlin, Jr., Citizenship Award given to Charles
Crabtree, Jr. of Salem, VA; The Arthur S. Owens Leadership Award given
to Joanna L. Bosik of Wilmington, DE; The Senior Academic Excellence
Award given to Tonya Renee Kiefer of Hampton, VA. The Cheatham Fellowship
was given to faculty member Dr. C. James Bier of Ferrum, VA. The Beckham
Medallion, Ferrum’s highest alumni honor was awarded to Walter C. Boyd
’49 of Elon, NC.
Ferrum College also graduated the first
three students of Ferrum College’s Boone Honors Program. Crystal Hutchens
of Critz, VA, Sabrina Tribbett of Pocahontas County, WV and Sandra Via
of Patrick County, VA were honored with medallions at the ceremony after
completing their study in only three years.
On the day before Commencement Ferrum
broke ground on plans to undertake a set of major facility improvements
due to be completed in 2006. Funded by one of the largest USDA loans
of its kind to an institution of higher education, these ambitious construction
projects will result in new and improved facilities across campus in
the first such comprehensive enhancement of multiple areas of campus
since the 1960’s.
For high-resolution photos, more information,
a fact sheet and releases on Ferrum’s 88th Commencement please see the
following site: http://www.ferrum.edu/commencement/.
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.
### |
