Ferrum, VA, August 4, 2026 — Associate Professor of Media and Communication Karl Roeper has retired after fifteen years of teaching and academic leadership on the Ferrum College faculty. He has served a remarkable number of programs and organizations across the campus and community by sharing his skills with audio and video engineering and broadcasting.
Roeper joined the Ferrum College faculty in 2011 and built the Media and Communication program from the ground up. He taught a wide array of Communication courses that he designed and English courses that were focused on journalism and communication. He served as program coordinator for Media and Communication, developing a major and a minor in that field, until Dr. Amy Loeffler joined the Ferrum faculty in the fall of 2025 to assume that role.
Roeper supervised Ferrum Radio, a student webcast radio station, and maintained its facilities throughout his years at the College. He was also the advisor of the student newspaper, The Iron Blade, for five years, establishing an online presence for the publication, and the Racquetball Team for several years. He served on a variety of academic committees and in other capacities such as mentor for new faculty and student researchers.
Roeper reflected, “I put my heart and soul into building a program for fifteen years. More than a few people have become good friends over the years, and it’s been a privilege to work with some talented and dedicated students.”
Roeper and his students have served as videographer, sound assistant, digital photographer, and technical advisor for many other campus and community organizations and events, including live webcasts for some sporting events, campus ceremonies, activities at the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival, events at the Harvester Performance Center in Rocky Mount, and projects at the Coolspring Power Museum in Pennsylvania.
Dr. Katherine Grimes, chair of the School of Business and Technology, recognized Roeper’s service in sustaining the Media and Communication program for many years, including his dedication to teaching in the classroom and “providing students experience on Ferrum Radio and in local performance establishments such as Harvester, where he also served as a volunteer.” A devoted Linda Ronstadt fan, she added, “I will miss Karl Roeper as a colleague and friend. His stories about his time in the Marine Corps, fatherhood, serving as cantor at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, and learning sports broadcasting at a baseball field have made having our offices next door to one another a treat. But perhaps the best was that every time a Linda Ronstadt song came on Ferrum Radio, he popped in to make sure I was listening.”
Roeper participated in the College’s annual Veterans Day programs, following a twenty-two-year military career in the United States Marine Corps between 1994 and 2007. His active duty and reserve service included leading Marines in training and in armed conflict abroad; developing their personal, physical, technical, and war-fighting skills; and mentoring their development of small-unit leadership skills.
Roeper holds a Ph.D. in Communications Media and Instructional Technology, an M.A. in Adult Education and Communications Technology, and a B.S. in Communication Media, all from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. His doctoral research focused on delivery of online courses in higher education. His publications and presentations for the campus community and professional conferences apply his scholarship and experience to a number of topics related to teaching and mass media in society.
Known as an excellent singer, Roeper performed the role of Ernst Ludwig in the Ferrum College Theatre Arts production of Cabaret in 2017. He also provided sound design for a number of musicals and dramas.
Cody Gibson ‘24, Assistant Director of Media and Communications, said, “Dr. Roeper taught me many skills throughout my time in college. He always pushed us as students to do our best and not cut corners. It was difficult at times, but he wanted us to succeed. A favorite memory of mine isn’t from one of his classes, lectures, or working at the Harvester. It was sitting in his office talking about sports. During my junior and senior years, I had scheduling conflicts, so we set up a time every other week to meet and go over any questions or get help with one of his assignments. He’d help me with it, but toward the end, we would talk about the Steelers and the Falcons.”
One of Roeper’s two daughters, Kaitlin Roeper, graduated from Ferrum College in 2018 and has been working in the marketing field in Pittsburgh. A past editor for The Iron Blade and Chrysalis Literary and Arts Magazine at Ferrum, she served as a photography judge for Chrysalis in spring 2025.
Ferrum College President Mirta Martin said, “Dr. Karl Roeper helped shape Ferrum College through his dedicated service and commitment to our students. He developed our Media and Communication program, creating opportunities that prepared many students for meaningful careers while inspiring them to pursue excellence with integrity and purpose. A gifted educator, proud Marine, devoted father, and generous servant to both the College and our community, Dr. Roeper’s influence can be seen in the accomplishments of our alumni. On behalf of the Panther family, we extend our deepest appreciation to Dr. Roeper for his many contributions to our students and our College.”
Roeper wasted no time starting his retirement adventures. Since May he has ridden his motorcycle 4,996 miles across the country and back, in a trip he called “bliss (mostly).” He stayed on old national highways, such as U.S. 220, for much of the trip. He added, “ I took two different routes to Denver and back, and my nephew and I rode down to New Mexico for a few days. I saw plenty of beautiful country, met some fine people, and only had to ride one half of a day in the rain.”
Ferrum College, grateful for Dr. Roeper’s years of service to the College and community, wishes him safe travels throughout a healthy and happy retirement.
Click here for more information about the Ferrum College Media and Communication program.
