FERRUM, VA, May 2, 2026 — On a celebratory spring morning filled with pride, reflection, and anticipation, Ferrum College honored 144 graduates during its 110th Commencement Ceremony at Hart International Plaza on campus. Family, friends, faculty, and staff gathered on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. to recognize the achievements of 17 graduate students and 127 undergraduates as they crossed the stage to begin the next chapter of their lives.
This year’s ceremony held added historical significance, marking the 50th anniversary of Ferrum College’s first commencement conferring four-year degrees. In a moment that bridged past and present, Martha Arnold Phillips ’76, the College’s first recipient of a four-year degree, was honored, reminding those in attendance of the institution’s growth and enduring mission.
The Class of 2026 reflected both academic excellence and global reach. International graduates represented five countries—Venezuela, South Africa, Canada, Ethiopia, and Kenya—and others hailed from 11 states. Among the majors with the most students, the Bachelor of Science in Health & Human Performance: Exercise Science led with 14 graduates, followed by Psychology and Health & Human Performance: Health & Fitness Management, each with 11 graduates—an indication of strong interest in health and human services fields.
Throughout the ceremony, speakers repeatedly returned to the defining qualities of the Class of 2026: resilience, perseverance, and a deep sense of community.
Ferrum College Provost Richard Grant opened the remarks by honoring the journey that brought graduates to this milestone and reflecting on the impact they have had on the College. “And graduates, by choosing Ferrum College, you have given us a tremendous gift,” he said. “We are better because of you…. Your presence has helped shape this institution and enriched our lives in immeasurable ways. We have become part of one another.”
That sense of shared experience and lasting connection carried into the remarks of Ferrum College Board of Trustees Chairman Scott Showalter ’73, who returned to Commencement as both a leader and an alumnus. Drawing on his time at Ferrum more than 50 years ago, he spoke to the College’s transformative power and the possibilities ahead. “I can honestly say, who I am today is a direct result of the years I spent here at Ferrum,” he said, encouraging graduates to move forward with confidence in the foundation they have built.
Offering a voice from within the class, Senior Class President and Student Government Association President EJ McArthur reflected on the shared challenges and triumphs that shaped the Class of 2026. His remarks highlighted not only their perseverance, but also their commitment to one another—evident in the class’s decision to give back by donating to the Student Emergency Fund. “If there’s one thing our class has mastered, it’s this: we know how to survive,” he said.
Building on those reflections, Ferrum College President Mirta Martin praised the determination and courage graduates demonstrated throughout their time at Ferrum. She emphasized the importance of leaning into challenges and embracing the journey ahead as members of a lifelong community. “What you have accomplished matters… when it would have been easier to step away, you leaned in,” she said.
As the ceremony turned toward the future, President Martin introduced keynote speaker Dr. Belle S. Wheelan, a nationally recognized leader in higher education, former president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and former Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
In her address, Dr. Wheelan challenged graduates to consider both the responsibility and the opportunities that lie ahead. “Yes, it is true that we are depending upon you to build our buildings, invent more efficient and effective ways to do things, defend our laws, protect our citizens, and educate our children,” she said. At the same time, she underscored a critical truth, that working effectively with people is even more important. “If you don’t know how to deal with people,” she said, “all of the education in the world will do you no good. For it is WE, THE PEOPLE who make it all happen.
Dr. Wheelan’s humorous expressions and anecdotes delighted the audience. When she said she was going off script, she told the graduates that, since she had been president of Ferrum College’s accrediting agency, it was fitting that she give them a final exam. Then she asked them to sit on the edge of their seats and free their hands. Next she instructed them to stand, raise their arms, and shout “Hallelujah,” quipping that one thing they will surely remember from this ceremony is that she got them on the edge of their seats and let them shout.
After the keynote address, the ceremony moved into its most anticipated moments—the conferral of degrees. Dr. Martin presented Dr. Wheelan with an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Ferrum College. Graduate students were recognized next, followed by the presentation of senior academic excellence awards and recognition of the Boone Honors Program Scholars. The ceremony culminated with undergraduate students crossing the stage, each step marking both an individual achievement and a shared milestone.
With degrees conferred, the focus shifted from accomplishment to connection. Brooke Gill ’05, president of the Alumni Board of Directors, welcomed the Class of 2026 to the Ferrum College Alumni Association, reminding them that their relationship with the College is just beginning. “’Alumni’ isn’t something you become someday. It starts the moment you walk across this stage,” she said. She then led the graduates in reciting the alumni oath, formally marking their place in the Ferrum College community for years to come.
The ceremony concluded with a traditional moment as graduates and attendees joined together to sing the Ferrum College alma mater, led by Mike Ferguson ’81, catering manager and recipient of the College’s 2000 Distinguished Alumni Award.
Saturday’s commencement ceremony followed a traditional baccalaureate service in Vaughn Chapel on Friday evening for all the graduates and families, as well as several awards banquets and celebrations, including a pinning ceremony for nursing graduates and the 50th Annual Tin Cup Induction Ceremony, where the environmental science faculty honored their graduates.
As the Class of 2026 leaves Ferrum College, its members carry not only the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom but also the relationships, experiences, and sense of purpose that will continue to shape their lives. Their journey at Ferrum College may have reached this milestone, but their connection to the College—and to one another—endures.
