Ferrum College proudly honors the achievements and lasting impact of its alumni through a variety of annual awards and recognitions. These honors celebrate graduates from every era of the College’s history—Ferrum Training School, Ferrum Junior College, and Ferrum College—who exemplify excellence, service, and the Panther spirit.
The College’s highest alumni honor, the Beckham Medallion, is named for Dr. Benjamin M. Beckham, Ferrum’s first president, and recognizes individuals who live the College motto, “Not Self, But Others.” Recipients have demonstrated exceptional career success, community service, and dedication to Ferrum College.
The Outstanding Young Alumni Award recognizes recent graduates—those within 15 years of earning their degree—who have shown exceptional professional success, leadership, and service to their communities and alma mater.
The Distinguished Alumni Award honors alumni who have made significant professional achievements and contributions to society while upholding the values and mission of Ferrum College.
The Ferrum College Alumni Sports Hall of Fame, established in 1994, celebrates over 80 years of Panther Athletics and honors former student-athletes who have excelled in competition and continue to demonstrate leadership, integrity, and service beyond their athletic careers.
Explore past recipients and learn how to nominate a deserving alum for these prestigious honors.
How To Make Award Nominations
Distinguished Alumni Award
The Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Beckham Medallion Award
Sports Hall of Fame
Ferrum College will recognize the outstanding achievements of alumni who exemplify the three eras of Ferrum College: Ferrum Training School, Ferrum Junior College, and Ferrum College.
Nominees should:
have a record of exceptional career achievement and of service to their community, church, or other organizations.
have been active in College life during their time at Ferrum and have remained involved in and supportive of Ferrum College as alumni.
be an alumnus or alumna of Ferrum College. If not a Ferrum graduate, nominees should have attended Ferrum College (as a Junior College attendee) for three or more semesters, or attended Ferrum College (as a four-year college) for four or more semesters.
exemplify in all aspects of their lives the spirit of Ferrum’s motto, “Not self, but others.”
Beckham Medallion Award Named after Dr. Benjamin M. Beckham, the first president of Ferrum College, the Beckham Medallion is the highest tribute bestowed upon an alumnus/a. The distinction honors those who exemplify the College motto, “Not self, but others,” and who have demonstrated exceptional career success, service to their community, and dedication to Ferrum College.
In honor of over 80 years of Panther Athletics, and in recognition of the many contributions Ferrum student-athletes have made throughout their careers, the Ferrum Alumni Association and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced its inaugural season of the Ferrum College Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. It is very important that the selection committee receive as complete a package as possible for each nominee, including playing records/statistics, athletic honors, and continuing achievements and service since leaving Ferrum. Committee members rely mostly on the information provided in the nomination package, so completeness is important. In order to be considered, nominees should:
Exemplify the highest ideals of small college athletics, sportsmanship, and the spirit of Ferrum’s motto, “Not self, but others.”
Have excelled in one or more sports while at Ferrum College, and then have gone on to achieve significant success in a career field.
Be an alumnus or alumna of Ferrum College. If not a Ferrum graduate, the nominee should have attended Ferrum for three or more semesters. The selection committee and the Alumni Board of Directors also may induct honorary members such as coaches and other individuals who made a significant impact on Ferrum Athletics.
Have graduated or transferred from Ferrum College at least 10 years prior to nomination. This year we are looking for student athletes who left the College prior to June 2015.
Tesla Akers Southcott ’13 Ken Blackley ’61 Dr. Lynn Grine Dillion ’66 Sterling “Butch” Dusharm ’68 Gail Holley John Morabito ’76 Tim Reynolds ’15 Gary Stockdell ’68
Melisa Buchanan-Craft ’01 Tanisha Durham ’04 Andre Levisy ’89 Melvin Martin ’75 Angela Thomas ’90 George Yancey ’67
2022 award recipients
Distinguished Alumni Award: Carthan Currin ’84
Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Matthew Woods ’12
Beckham Medallion: Phyllis Karavatakis ’76
2022 Sports Hall of Fame:
Frank C. Haywood, Jr. ’72 Matthew Jordan ’95 Jim Kitts ’94 Don Testerman ’73 Andra Thomas ’90
2021 award recipients
2021 Distinguished Alumni Award
Rev. Dr. Burton White ’84
For a full listing of Ferrum College Outstanding Distinguished Alumni Recipients, click here.
2021 Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Paul Jaglowski ’12 Ra’meer Roberts ’13
2021 Sports Hall of Fame:
Trica Moore Barber ’06 Melvin Dillard ’92 Roben Sutphin Thomas ’96 Tara Toland ’05 Mark White ’96 Gary Holden—Special Recognition Vickie Van Kleeck—Special Recognition