Victor Davidson, '06

I'm sure coming into college everyone has and idea or dream of where they want to be once they leave. If this dream or idea isn't present when entering, it is sure to be present when leaving. Some may choose to enter yet another learning experience by attending graduate school or law school. Some may choose to enter the many opportunities of politics, while others use their education in the program to go out and get the first job available. Entering a program or study of political science, the dream and idea of where one wish to be when finished can be extremely large because a political science degree offers many paths that can be followed. Some students come in knowing where they want to be, and when their four years here are up, they follow exactly in the footsteps that they have laid. Other students come in not knowing what path that they want their degree to take them, and the rest of the students come in with an idea of where they would like to end up but find out that there are other opportunities that fits them better. In arranging steps of the path when one leaves, it is safe to say that each student when entering also has an idea of what they expect to get out of the program. To do this article, I figured that it could not be completed unless the thoughts and reflections of former students were sought after.

After receiving the e-mails back from former students it was clear that everyone that has completed the program and went on to graduate with their degree in political science had plenty to say in good regards of the program. Former students had dreams when entering the program and expected to obtain an educational experience that improved their knowledge of politics on the subject. Everyone that returned a response had plenty of good remarks to say about the professors and their knowledge on the subject. Paul Clark a graduate of 94' had this to say about the course work and professors of the political science department. "By far the experience I had with the courses and the professors that administered them allowed me to excel," expressing his gratitude and appreciation for what the college and the professors of the department offered. This former student also went on to say that "when [he] first entered Ferrum [he] was an average student at best and by the time [he] graduated [he] was confident that [he] had attained certain personal goals in relation to his course work." He realized that what he had learned played a major role in what he was able to do today. Out of this response and the comments made it was obvious that Mr. Clark enjoyed his four years at Ferrum College and was happy and content about the education that he had received. Mr. Clark also attributed his success to the professors by stating, "the lessons, analytical and research skills I learned in those four years with Dr. Torimiro and Dr. Payne have proven to be vital to my business success." He gives the professors of the political science department the credit that they well deserve in getting him prepared for what he had planned to do in life. Mr. Clark took his experience and teachings that he had received at Ferrum College and became the Senior Manager of Wireless Services with ATX Communications, where he oversees all sales and operations of wireless products that cover 8 markets in the Northeast section of the U.S.

Daniel R. O'Neil comments focused on the political science program, the college community, and his experience as a whole. Mr. O'Neil began by saying that" he had a great time and learned a great deal," here on the Ferrum campus. Mr. O'Neil went on to speak about the professors and what they had done for him. Mr. O'Neil stated that, "with the assistance of Dr. Samuel Payne, he was able to successfully complete an internship for Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) in Washington, DC," showing that the help of the professors introduced him to new paths of which he could take. This statement also gives an idea of what the professors here at Ferrum are about and the duty that they have to help students meet their highest potential. He stated that even today, he often finds himself watching CSPAN and the world news and remembering all of the lessons taught by Drs. Payne and Torimiro. Many students don't remember discussions and what they have learned past the next day, and this former student remembers discussions and lessons far past graduating. Mr. O'Neil took the education he received to become a paralegal for the law firm of Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett in New York City. This firm serves as one of the largest and most successful corporate and litigation firms in the world, housing offices in London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, and the home office is in Mid-town Manhattan. Mr. O'Neil said: "If I had to do it all over again, I would still choose Ferrum because not only is the education top-notch, but the family atmosphere makes it the best college in the country...hands down." He acknowledged that choosing Ferrum College after coming out of high school was one of the best decisions that he had made in his life and would not change the decision even if he had the chance to do so.

Finally, the atmosphere and curriculum here at Ferrum was captured also by Heidi B. Sweeney. Mrs. Sweeney remarked that "the political science curriculum was challenging and sometimes exhausting. Dr. Torimiro did kick my backside a couple of times with some of his assignments." This statement insures that the work given by the professors is reasonable but by no means easy. The work is the type of work that strengthens your intellect and helps build in the areas where many students are weak, the area of discussion and vocalizing their point, not just writing it on paper.