1930's
Ila Williams, Ralph Knowles, Margaret Knowles, Curtis Prillaman, Vieva Snead Clary

1940's
Luther Durby, Pauline Yates Clark, Charles Menefee, Sam Stevens, Sarah Hartnett, Lois Poland Bersch,
Jean Lugar, Ethelyne Daniel, Lawrence Lugar, Vergil Spencer, Jesse Meeler, John Plymale, Jr.,Walter Boyd, Robert Loving

1950's
John Bell, Mary Bell, Teresa MacGregor, Hugh Vincent

1960's
Elizabeth Duvall, Stuart Townes, Jr.

1970's
Phyllis Lavinder, Jane Walsh Dittamo

FERRUM HONORS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

May 14, 2004

    Ferrum College paid tribute to three of its former students with the Distinguished Alumni Award during its Alumni Weekend May 14-16, 2004. The 2004 recipients are: Eunice Spencer Williams ’46 of Wilmington, NC, James W. “Jim” Johnson ’63 from Northglenn, CO and Betsy Baker Dietz ’83 of Arlington, VA.

     Eunice Williams came to Ferrum from Eden, NC on a piano scholarship. Known as “Hook Shot” Spencer by her girls’ basketball teammates, she was always an active presence on campus. After Ferrum, Williams studied at home to earn an accounting diploma while caring for her two daughters and juggling full-time employment. Her determination paid off as she went on to a successful career in office management and accounting. She served as the Controller for Meredith College for eight years prior to her retirement in the early ‘80s.

     “Eunice’s steadfast devotion to family and friends is evident through her efforts to acknowledge and celebrate life’s special occasions. She organizes family reunions and frequently corresponds with hundreds of her alumni friends. She currently serves Ferrum College as the Fifty Year Club President. Her sense of humor and creativity have made a tremendous impact on the reunion events she organizes,” said Director of Alumni and Family Services, Joanna Coleman.

     A dedicated member of both the campus and local community, Jim Johnson’s student life was a balance of academic, athletic, and church commitments. He served as head trainer for the football, basketball, and baseball teams and often officiated at intramural events. As a member of the Circuit Riders, Johnson spent nearly every Sunday filling in for churches in need of a pastor. He estimates preaching over 75 times during his time at Ferrum. After graduation, he entered the United States Air Force. Johnson maintained constant participation in church activities throughout his travels and relocations. In 1970, Johnson was named as one of the Junior Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Young Men of America. He also received the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal while on active duty with the Air Force.

     Betsy Baker Dietz came to Ferrum from Danville. Already answering the call to help others, she spent time tutoring other students in math and volunteered locally as a Big Sister. In 1999, she was selected as one of Arlington County’s recipients of the “Most Outstanding Volunteer Award” in appreciation of her years of devoted service as legal guardian to a blind and mentally challenged local woman named Alberta. Dietz presently serves as the Regional Director of AYUSA, a non profit organization working to promote opportunities for students both in the United States and throughout the world through foreign exchange. She has worked for Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia since 1992. She resides in Arlington with her husband Richard.

     Alumni Weekend came to Ferrum on May 14-16, 2004, bringing graduates back to Ferrum College for the reunion of classes of 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, and the Fifty Year Club.

      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.