Ferrum College Memories Oral History Project2022-11-10T15:17:27+00:00

The Project

We are excited to announce a Ferrum College alumni oral history project: Ferrum College Memories! Each Ferrum College alum has a story and we want to hear yours. With so many alumni, it would take years to meet with you individually. That’s why we’ve partnered with a company who will contact you in the coming days to collect your story as told in your own words. Collected stories will be preserved in a book that celebrates the impact Ferrum College has had on your life and who you are today, as well as the lives of so many other alumni. Each year we fail to capture and preserve these memories feels like another opportunity lost, so we’re excited to get started today!

Have You Moved?

As part of this project, we are also taking this opportunity to help make it easier for you to stay connected to Ferrum College. PCI will help us collect updated contact information from those of you who may have moved and inadvertently lost touch with your alma mater.

Your Story

So what Ferrum College Memory will you tell?

  • Did a special faculty or staff member have a profound impact on your life?
  • Did you find your sweetheart at Ferrum College?
  • Can you trace your career path back to a defining moment at our alma mater?
  • Have connections you made on campus turned into lifelong friendships?
  • Were you on campus during a historical moment?

PCI Partnership

With our limited resources, we’d never be able to tackle a project like this. By partnering with PCI, we’re able to access their trained staff of real, live human beings who are excited to listen to what you have to share. PCI will also help collect and assemble the stories into the Ferrum College Memories book that we can share with all Ferrum College Alumni. Please note, we have only shared your contact information with PCI in conjunction with this project. We have NOT sold your contact information, or otherwise used it for outside marketing purposes.

Do I Have to Buy Something?

No. This project is being done at NO COST to the Ferrum College Alumni Association. The project is completely funded by the alumni who choose to purchase the Ferrum College Memories book that will be produced at the end of the project. Various book packages will be offered. You are welcome to purchase these items, but you are not required to do so to participate in the project or order the Ferrum College Memories book. Again, we’d never be able to embark on a project like this without the support of our amazing alumni and the partnership with PCI. We sincerely thank every person that participates and chooses to purchase the book.

What's Next?

Soon you will be receiving email and postcard communications from the PCI team with instructions on how to participate. We’d like to invite you to share one of your stories with us and take part in this first of its kind project to honor the experiences and voices of our alumni. The PCI team will collect stories throughout 2022. After that, they will enter a post-production phase editing the data. We hope to have the book distributed in summer 2023.

What to Look For

Below is an example of a postcard you will receive in the mail. This is an official postcard from the Ferrum College Alumni Association, distributed by our partner PCI. Once you receive the postcard, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your Ferrum College Memories.

I received an email/postcard/phone call from a company asking for my personal information and a story about my time at Ferrum College. Is this a legitimate project, or is it a scam?

We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an Oral History Publication for the Ferrum College Alumni Association. PCI is a company located in Dallas, TX that publishes directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities and military organizations across the nation. This project allows the Ferrum College Alumni Association to hear about your personal experiences and explain how it and Ferrum College has helped shape your lives.

How do I know my information will only be used for this specific purpose?

The Ferrum College Alumni Association has a contractual agreement with PCI that states:

The names, addresses and information provided to PCI by the Alumni Association for the publication of the Oral History Publication will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Publication and except as required by court order of law.
The Oral History Publication will be made available only to alumni of Ferrum College. Upon completion of the project, PCI will return to the Alumni Association any and all electronic files that have been supplied by the Alumni Association or produced by PCI in connection with the production of the Oral History Publication.

I would like to update my information and share a story. How may I do this?

If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Publication. The representative will verify all the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, then ask you to share your story about your time at Ferrum College. Your story will be recorded, and the sound clip provided to the Ferrum College Alumni Association at the conclusion of the project.

If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story. If you have questions, you may contact PCI’s customer service desk at 1-800-982-1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com

I updated my information but need some more time to think about what story to tell.

You can call back at any time to share your story or schedule a call back with an agent.

I shared a story and the representative said I could send some photos. How do I do this?

You will receive an email with a link to upload up to two photos plus captions.

If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send physical photos in to be printed (note: photos will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).

I'd like to add/remove info from my story.

You will receive an email prior to publication with a link to review your transcribed story and make any edits.

Can anyone purchase a book?

Ferrum College Memories: Ferrum College Association Oral History Project book is available for sale only to Ferrum College alumni.

Contact Information

If you have any other questions regarding the project, please contact the Office of Alumni & Family Programs by calling (540) 365-4216.