My name is Allison Usry and I am a 2018 graduate Ferrum College with a B.S. in Psychology and Spanish. During my four years at Ferrum College, I participated in many different clubs and activities around campus: Psychology Club, Spanish Club, Rotaract Club, and a local sorority. I also studied at the Center for Cross-Cultural Study in Sevilla, Spain.
After graduation, I moved back to my hometown (Hampton) and worked at The Literacy Lab, a nonprofit organization that helps underprivileged teens.
In October 2020, Thaddeus Black and I were married. After our marriage, we relocated to Mississippi.
Hi, my name is Summer Smart, and I am from Mocksville, NC. I graduated from Davie County High School in June of 2014 and Ferrum College in May 2018. At Ferrum, I earned a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Management, Marketing, and Financial Management with minors in Accounting and Economics.
Along with the Honors Program, I was a representative to the Honors Advisory Council and also involved with Lion’s Club (Treasurer), Lambda Sigma Honor Society, Delta Phi Epsilon (President), and Enactus. I was also a four-year member of the women’s volleyball team.
Currently, I serve as associate manager at Cracker Barrel in Mocksville. I also enjoy volunteering and helping out those in need.
My name is Nicholas Sink and I am majoring in Environmental Science with a Spanish minor. This is only my second year at Ferrum College, but I am a Junior because of dual enrollment classes provided by my high school and the Southwest Virginia Governor’s School.
I’m from the small town of Narrows in Giles county where I discovered my love of the outdoors and my desire to protect our environment. Some of my favorite pastimes are swimming, hiking, camping, and reading.
My name is Sarah Patnaude, and I’m a 2016 graduate. These last few months since walking across the stage can be accurately described by Parker Palmer’s words in his book Let Your Speak: “Before I can tell my life what I want to do with it, I must listen to my life telling me who I am.” Since May, I have had the opportunity to intern at Fairlington United Methodist Church through a program called Calling21. Yes, this program is to immerse its participants in ministry, but more importantly, it is to help young adults discern their calling whether it is within the church or not. I am still wandering through this path of discernment looking for road signs, but as I continue on, the path has become a bit clearer. Through my experiences this summer- the Sunday School classes I taught, the Children’s message I gave, the mission trip to the Lakota Reservation I was blessed to be a part of, the pastoral visits I went on, and the sermon I delivered- I started hearing God’s still voice telling me who I am. Right now, I have my eyes set on going to graduate school next fall for counseling and then, I may find myself in seminary. However, as I continue to wait until the next door opens, I know that I must let go of my “perfect plans” and let my life guide my steps.
My name is Quentin Montgomery. I am from Ararat, Virginia, which is a really small town about an hour and a half from here. I like the small town feel of Ferrum, since that’s what I’ve been exposed to all my life.
I am a freshman in the class of 2019 and I will be majoring in Environmental Science and possibly minoring in Criminal Justice. After Ferrum I plan on getting a job as a Conservation Police Officer, formerly known as a Game Warden.
My favorite hobbies include hunting, fishing, and playing soccer.
My name is Katie Mireles. I graduated in 2014 with a B.S. in biology and pre-professional science. While at Ferrum College, I was a resident assistant, PAL tutor, and the secretary of the Rotaract club. I recently moved to Fairfax for graduate school. At the Academic Awards Convocation in April 2014, I received the award for Outstanding Student in Pre-Professional Science. In Fall 2014, I will start working on my M.S. in biology at George Mason University. After I complete my M.S. in biology, I hope to get my Ph.D. in the field of microbiology and infectious diseases. Currently, I do not know what I am going to do once I finish graduate school, but I hope to one day work for the National Institutes of Health or the Centers for Disease Control.
Email: kmireles@gmu.edu
Hey guys!
My name is Kelleigh Jio, and I graduated with the class of 2014. I graduated with my BS in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Forensic Science. I was in Beta Beta Beta (the Biology honors society) and was on the women’s soccer team for all four years, serving as captain my senior year. Just before graduation, at the annual Academic Awards Convocation, I was also presented the Forensic Sciences Award.
After graduation in 2014, I went on to pursue my Master of Forensic Sciences at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, graduating in December 2016. While there, I completed research on victim recovery dogs, dogs who are trained to find missing or deceased persons. I explored the question of pig tissue being a viable substitute for human tissue when training these dogs. I was also an intern at the DC Department of Forensic Sciences from May 2015 – August 2016.
I currently live in Gainesville, Virginia, a little city in Northern Virginia. I work for the Department of Justice as an analyst focused on forensic intelligence. I am recently engaged as well, planning for an April 2022 wedding. In my spare time, I enjoy reading all things Stephen King, exploring new cities, eating my way through food capitals, volunteering at a food pantry, planning get-togethers with friends, and doing anything outdoors.
When I try to summarize my time at Ferrum, I don’t remember the difficult tests or the tears. I remember the amazing professors who stayed late with me to understand a concept. I remember the Friday night home games under the lights. Most of all, I remember the amount of growth I saw in myself from freshman year to graduation. Being at Ferrum equipped me to move on to higher education and to be confident when applying for my dream position.
Email: kmiyako92@gmail.com
My name is Hannah Harris and I graduated from Ferrum College with a degree in business administration (concentration in sports management) and in accounting and a minor in criminal justice. At Ferrum, I participated in the Freshman Scholars Program over the summer of 2013 and was a member of the Ferrum Lions Branch Club, a peer-assisted learning tutor for the 200 level Accounting classes, and the president of ENACTUS, the business club on campus.
After Ferrum, I attended Liberty Law and earned my degree with the class of 2020 passing the bar exam the same year. After working briefly at a law firm in Harrisonburg, I am an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in August County, Va.
My favorite thing in the entire world is baseball and I am a huge New York Yankees fan!
Crystal Hutchens Fain, a 2004 graduate of Ferrum College with a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science and a minor in Religion. After working in the field for several years, I found my true passion in teaching at which point in time I went back to school and completed my Master’s of Science in Education with a specialization in Earth Science.
My name is Leya Isabel Deickman. I am from Fayetteville, NC. During my time at Ferrum, I was a member of the women’s wrestling team and president of Ferrum’s chapter of Help Save the Next Girl. I graduated from Ferrum in 2019 with a B.A. in Psychology.
In 2020, I graduated from Liberty University with my M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education. During my time as a professional staff member in Ferrum’s Office of Student Life and Engagement, I furthered my education in Psychology and graduated with Ferrum’s first class from the graduate programs. I now have an M.S. in Psychology.
I am now a Bobcat! I work in the Office of Residence Life as a Community Director for Georgia College and State University. I oversee a living-learning community specifically for sororities.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my son Kendall, and exercising. I love to travel and I hope to visit more European countries in the near future. I am currently learning German.
