Ferrum College has announced that Rev. David Roger Drinkard ’77 will be the 2008 recipient of its highest alumni honor, the Benjamin M. Beckham Medallion. Named after Ferrum’s first President, recipients of the award model selfless service to family, church, community and career.

Rev. Drinkard received his bachelor’s degree from Ferrum College during its transitional phase from a two year to a four-year school. After graduating from Ferrum he attended Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he received his Masters of Divinity Degree. In 1981 he was ordained an Elder in the United Methodist Church of the Virginia Conference.

Since his schooling and ordination, Reverend Drinkard has served United Methodist Churches in Lynchburg and in Richmond and spent four years as the Associate Council Director for Youth Ministries in the Virginia Annual Conference. Since 2001 he has been the Lynchburg District Superintendent. In his life’s work as a member of the clergy, volunteer and mentor, Reverend Drinkard has exemplified Ferrum College’s motto, “Not Self-But Others.” He will receive the Benjamin M. Beckham Medallion during Ferrum’s 92nd Commencement Ceremony on Saturday May 3rd. For more information about the award or Ferrum’s commencement ceremonies, contact the Public Relations Office at 540-365-4300.

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.