At Ferrum College, we are proud of our access, affordability, diversity and opportunity and our keen focus on ensuring the value of a Ferrum education. As today’s future college students consider their many higher education choices, they seek the finest education in a place with outstanding facilities. It is clearly evident through our growth that more and more of these young men and women are choosing Ferrum! While our enrollment continues its upward trajectory, many of our peer institutions have seen a decline. We all compete for scarce financial resources from foundations, alumni and friends who seek the organizations that represent the best stewardship of their precious resources. We find success in that competition because of your generosity and the fact that Ferrum has proven to be a wise investment.
As we enter this new year, our number one building priority is the proposed Hank Norton Center, a facility that will greatly enhance recruitment and retention and propel Ferrum well ahead of its peer institutions. In addition to being the home of the entire outdoor athletic program, the Hank Norton Center will serve all students through classroom space, fitness areas and state of the art sports medicine and athletic training facilities. Award-winning athletic programs have long been a Ferrum hallmark – they become even more important when we look at how these programs bolster our number one key performance indicator, student success.
- » Approximately 30% of our students participate in athletics, and many more are drawn to Ferrum with the intention of playing sports. Our athletic programs are a significant enrollment driver. The strength of these programs helps set Ferrum apart from our competitors. The addition of the Hank Norton Center will further distinguish Ferrum from other schools.
- » Student athletes are our best retaining student population. Students engaged in athletics at Ferrum retain at a rate of up to twenty percentage points higher than non athletes. This figure is especially important among female students. Nearly 95% of women who play sports will graduate. That phenomenal statistic underscores the fact that when students are engaged in co-curricular activities they are most likely to experience a high degree of success toward graduation.
Sincerely yours,
Jennifer L. Braaten
President
Jennifer L. Braaten
President
Our Student Athletes Deserve the Very Best
A message from Abe Naff, Director of Athletics
Ferrum College has a tradition of athletic excellence. Our intercollegiate teams have long been known as winners, establishing records and championships at the conference, regional and national levels. Year after year our athletic heritage attracts a large number of student athletes. In fact, more than one third of our student enrollment is student athletes.In the past our athletic facilities were the envy of our opponents. Today however, this is not the case. Our current Norton Field House is insufficient both in terms of usefulness and appearance. The college is overdue to make the improvements needed to keep us competitive with our Division III opponents. all of whom have either enhanced or are in the process of enhancing their athletic facilities. Read more »
A Message from Alumni Board President Joel L. Wilson, '81
Dear Ferrum Alumni:Reflect on the difference that Ferrum College made in your life. Perhaps it was a faculty member or a respected coach who took the time to care about you, gave you self confidence, and taught you lessons that have carried you through your professional life. Maybe Ferrum gave you an opportunity to earn a degree, propelling you to even greater achievements when other institutions wouldn’t give you that chance. Perhaps you appreciate the scholarships funded by other alumni and friends who helped you finance your education when you needed the most help. We all have our reasons for loving Ferrum and for appreciating the foundations it gave us. Read more »