Sara P. Puckett, Class of 2014
Studies at Ferrum: B.A. Spanish and Chemistry- minor Russian
B.S. Biology and Pre-Professional Sciences- minor Forensic Science
Study Away: E-Term in Peru, Summer program in Seville, Spain, Summer program in Three Gorges, China
Graduate degree: University of North Carolina- Greensboro ‘16
M.S. Biochemistry
Currently: Ph.D. candidate in Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Connecticut
I am a third year graduate student at the University of Connecticut studying Medicinal Chemistry. My area of research is natural products chemistry where I take samples from the environment, isolate individual compounds, and test to see if they can be used to make new pharmaceutical drugs. As a student in both the Natural Sciences and the Humanities, it has helped shaped me into the scientist I am today. Being able to question what the science says as well as also having a genuine curiosity for the world is what drives my research as well as myself. During my time at Ferrum College, I was able to study abroad in Peru, Spain, and China and these experiences gave me a new set of eyes to look through when viewing the world. For my current research, I have travelled to Panama to study marine organisms as a unique source for drug discovery. Having knowledge of science and language/culture as well as experiences from travelling abroad has been vital to the research, but also creates for a better level of understanding of people from different backgrounds. My experiences travelling abroad at Ferrum have sparked my love for travel and also drive me to explore and discover all the world has to offer.
Chase Deaton (English major, Teacher Ed minor, ‘19) has always enjoyed helping others and making a difference in his community. He transferred to Ferrum College in order to be closer to home and to enjoy the benefits of attending a small liberal arts college: “I appreciate the small class sizes and one on one time with professors. As part of my EDU classes, I have internships in the local schools every semester, and these experiences have helped me grow tremendously.” Chase knows that becoming an English teacher will afford him opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of students. At Ferrum College, he plays football, and beginning this spring, he is the assistant coach for the Varsity Boys Soccer team at Staunton River High School.
“The Ferrum College Women’s Soccer game in Meredith in 2015. That was my favorite memory. We didn’t win, but we held Meredith off until the last two minutes in the game. They scored with a lucky goal, but the team played amazingly in that game, so that is definitely my favorite memory. I always look back on that and think, Wow what an experience.”
“I was involved in the Women’s Soccer team, the Women’s Lacrosse Team, Delta Phi Epsilon, and Ferrum Outdoors.”
“My favorite Ferrum memory is bringing the first International organization to Ferrum College campus. It was a very hard experience, but I wouldn’t change it for the world because it is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“My favorite thing about being a Ferrum Alumni is coming back to hang out with national organizations at tailgates and other big Ferrum events.”
“My favorite Memory… I have so many memories here. I used to take walks at night, with a couple of friends, and so we’d walk around campus, like completely sober, in the middle of the week, on a Wednesday night at 11:00 at night we’d be with each other, we’d go for walks. I remember, with a group of friends, just out on the football field, playing with a soccer ball, talking, there were stars everywhere, that’s probably my favorite.”
“My favorite thing about being a Ferrum alumni is that I can come back and see everyone I used to know, and even new freshman that I didn’t know beforehand, so like, coming back to events like homecoming. There’s always somebody around, and there’s always such a bond. Even if you graduated from Ferrum 20 years before me, if I meet them out at the grocery store, there’s an instant bond, like we both went to Ferrum, we know what it’s like. They are automatically a family member.”
“My favorite Ferrum memory is bringing back the equestrian team, and being able to successfully compete for almost 3 years on it, making it to regionals, and taking my team to the top. I mean, we got 6 place out of 12 last year at regionals?”
“My favorite thing about being a Ferrum alumni is being back and being welcomed with opening arms, no matter where I’m at on campus, there’s always someone super stoked to see you, always someone that’s like, super loving to know you come back and taking time to say hi to new students.”
“You should come to Ferrum because it’s such a close knit campus. You find where you belong in so many different organizations. I was on the equestrian team, I was in DPhiE, being an RA/HR, you find people everywhere you go, so if you want something close and tight and you want that bond, you want that bond with your professors, then come to Ferrum.”
What did you study when you were at Ferrum?Art major with emphasis in graphic design. Minored in journalism
I really focused in on Ferrum because it was a small school that was not too far from home. Everyone I knew that had been a student there absolutely loved it. I stayed because it became home to me. So far in life there has been no other place (other than where I from) that has ever felt like home. I met some of my best friends there and connected with people who I would have never had the opportunity to meet. The faculty and staff were ever-present and always eager to teach/help me succeed not only in my classes but even post-grad in my career. I wasn’t a number in a classroom at Ferrum, I was a member of the Panther family.
So many things! I was founding president of Zeta Chi Epsilon, a member of the art club, Iron Blade staff, Orientation team member and captain, member of Kappa Pi, Dj/ radio host at Ferrum Radio, I played Intramurals. I’m probably forgetting something, but I think this just about covers it.
I work as a special sections designer at The News & Advance in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Ferrum definitely taught me how to manage my time. It also taught me the importance of community and working as a team to complete a task or goal. “Not Self But others” is embedded in my soul and I strive to enforce it in everything I do. My art education has prepared me SO MUCH for the job I have now.
I have visited several times since I graduated and it always feels like I’m coming back home.
They should consider coming to Ferrum because it is a place where you can grow, learn and take steps toward becoming the person you are supposed to be.
Oh yes.
Being able to tell people that I’m an alum is still really cool to me. Specifically being able to tell people that I am an alum of such a fantastic place is probably my favorite thing. I always get asked where Ferrum is and why I chose to go there and my reply is “It’s in the middle of somewhere beautiful where everyone has to opportunity, support and training to go forth and accomplish whatever they put their mind to.”
“My favorite memory was when we did Senior to Alum Crossover for DPhiE. All of us went to El Rio to have dinner together. We went back to Danielle Moon’s apartment, and we just hung out, and it was great, and we had a few drinks. I probably didn’t leave there until midnight or 1AM. I mean, it was just… all through the night it was great.”
“My favorite thing about being a Ferrum Alumni is coming back and being able to have the fun I did without having to worry about class the next day!”
What did you study when you were at Ferrum?
My name is Joshua Wright and I am from Stuart, Virginia. I am a Mathematical Science major who graduated in May 2019. I’m currently a graduate student in mathematics at George Mason University.
Calculus is definitely my favorite of the mathematics (the extra dimension of derivatives is quite fascinating). The algebras are exciting as well, but I tend to see them as just a hobby. Statistics has to be my least favorite (not to say I don’t appreciate it). Though it is useful, stats doesn’t give me the same satisfaction as the other math areas.
