Ferrum College students are turning out to support the historic Grandin Theatre this Saturday, with the help of the City of Roanoke. The City is picking up the tab for chartered buses to chauffeur students from the western part of Franklin County to Downtown Roanoke for an opportunity to visit the Downtown shops. After a few hours of shopping and lunch, the students will be transported to the theatre for an afternoon showing of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," winner of a Golden Globe for Best Director.
"It's great to see Ferrum College, their students, and the City lend their support to the Grandin. It was pretty unexpected and wonderful to have this kind of support coming from Franklin County. Ferrum College is setting a precedent for support of independent and foreign language films in Roanoke," says Julie Hunsaker, owner of the Grandin, Roanoke's only independent theatre.
"My parents went on dates to the Grandin when they were teenagers, so it's a sentimental place for me and my family. I hope it's still around so my children can see movies there too," says Karri Brewer, a junior at Ferrum who will be taking the trip with her Introduction to Film class. "It's awesome that as a class we'll be able to see a Japanese film in a vintage location. A lot of my classmates have never been to a "real" theater and I'm excited to see their reaction," says Brewer.
The Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham spearheaded the original idea of designating Saturdays throughout the year as special days for area colleges. Ferrum College Day was set for January 27, as a day to bring in the students to visit Downtown Roanoke and enjoy special discounts from downtown merchants.
"Downtown's proximity to several institutions of higher learning is a real asset to the City, and College Days were created to give students a taste of what Downtown Roanoke is like," explains Burcham.
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. To learn more about the College, call 1-800-868-9797 or visit www.ferrum.edu. # # #

See the Roanoke Times article on Ferrum Day HERE!