Dr. Jerry M. Boone
President, 1987-2002

To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

– Confucius

Measured by Confucius’ characterization, few among us better deserve this appellation than Dr. Jerry M. Boone, ninth president of Ferrum College.

As a college president, one is viewed through lenses colored by the motivations, experiences, and desires of many constituents. Few perspectives can adequately perceive the immense role, the broad scope, and singular determination that the title of president demands. Fewer individuals still are privy to the soul and spirit of the person behind the role.

Yet the man behind Ferrum’s chief executive role for the past 15 years, while helping shape the College through steadfast values formed in his earliest years, served as a role model for perfect virtue.

In his adolescent days, Dr. Boone believed he was destined for life as a Christian missionary. Over time and space, including a stint as a high school teacher, he realized that he was better suited for life as an educator. When providential events moved him into this new direction, Dr. Boone fully embraced his roles as a teacher, administrator, and ultimately college president, as a calling.

Chosen in 1987 to lead Ferrum College, Dr. Boone felt a kinship to the mission, “Not Self, But Others,” and resolved to be faithful to this pledge and promise.

Through the joyful and challenging days all leaders encounter, Dr. Boone led the College prayerfully, seeking divine and Biblical guidance each day. One of the most worn and readily accessible volumes in his office was the Holy Bible. In everything, he vowed to be a sincere, honest, and dedicated servant to the College.

Valuing intellectual gravity and focus, juxtaposed with the realization that a wider view of the world and cosmos allows greater clarity, Dr. Boone endeavored to serve this institution of higher learning as though each day was a gift, and he the custodian/protector of that trust. The earnestness of these beliefs allowed him to make exceptionally difficult, but life sustaining decisions for the College.

Tempered by a gentle and tender heart, Dr. Boone recalls struggling most deeply with those grave decisions that had an impact upon the College’s employees and students. His strength of character and personal resolve to serve the College was weakened only by his great care and empathy for all members of the Ferrum family. And even in his most pressing moments, Dr. Boone welcomed the ironies, humor and odd peculiarities in his life.

Dr. Boone displayed a generosity of the soul—often beyond its beneficiary’s measure and merit—that marks him as a great man. A spirit, transcending the trials of daily experience, and the desire to always be a person of good-will manifested a kindness and sensitivity equally bestowed to friend or foe. He empathized with human frailties and forgave petty transgressions with the surety of a man who recognized his own fallibility.

Today we bid Dr. Boone fare thee well. Thank you for showing us, through your example, a virtue to emulate, admire, and bear as the standard for all leaders to come.