“At Ferrum College, we celebrate not just athletic excellence, but the enduring impact our alumni make on their communities and the world,” said Ferrum College President Mirta Martin. “This Hall of Fame class represents the very best of what it means to be a Panther—resilient, service-minded, and committed to living our motto, Not Self, But Others. We are proud to honor their legacies and welcome them back home to Ferrum.”

Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Jim Altis ’68, Midlothian, Virginia – Football

A standout defensive back under legendary Ferrum coach Hank Norton, Altis helped lead the Panthers to a 15-1-1 record during his two seasons, including a berth in the 1966 NJCAA national championship game. After earning an associate’s degree in business administration from Ferrum, he continued his football career at the University of Richmond, where he helped the Spiders capture Southern Conference championships in 1968 and 1969. He played a key role in Richmond’s 1968 Tangerine Bowl victory with an interception and two fumble recoveries. Altis was later recognized as part of Richmond’s inaugural “Spider Team of Distinction” and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1970. He also served in the United States Marine Corps, reaching the rank of corporal, and went on to a successful career as a business owner and community leader.

Richard “Dickie” Childress ’74, Midlothian, Virginia – Football

A member of Ferrum’s 1974 NJCAA national championship team, Childress played football for the Panthers from 1972 to 1974 under legendary head coach Hank Norton. Following his Ferrum career, he earned a football scholarship to the University of Richmond, where he helped the Spiders win the 1975 Southern Conference championship and earned first-team All-Southern Conference honors. Childress set a Richmond single-game record with 24 tackles during the 1975 season and was recognized three times as the Richmond Times-Dispatch Player of the Week. After beginning his coaching career at the high school level, he returned to Virginia and founded his own locksmith business in 1981, building a successful company that has served the Richmond area for more than four decades. He was inducted into his high school’s Hall of Fame in 2018.

Kaitlyn Culler Hicks ’13, Kingsport, Tennessee – Softball

One of the most accomplished pitchers in Ferrum softball history, Hicks competed for the Panthers from 2010 to 2013 under head coach Vickie Van Kleeck, helping lead Ferrum to a 127-55 record during her career. She helped guide the Panthers to the 2012 USA South Athletic Conference Tournament championship and the 2013 USA South regular season championship while becoming the program’s all-time leader in pitching victories with 57 career wins. Hicks finished her career with a 1.73 ERA and ranks among Ferrum’s top single-season pitchers with a 1.21 ERA in 2013. She was named USA South Pitcher of the Year in 2013 and earned multiple All-USA South, All-Region, and VaSID honors throughout her career. A four-time Academic All-USA South selection, Hicks graduated cum laude with degrees in Biology and Health Sciences before earning her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Campbell University.

Brooke Hewartson-Thomas ’13, Stephenson, Virginia – Women’s Lacrosse

Hewartson-Thomas established herself as the most decorated women’s lacrosse player in Ferrum history during her career from 2010 to 2013. She became the first Panther to earn USA South Women’s Lacrosse Rookie of the Year honors in 2010 and earned first-team All-USA South honors in all four seasons, becoming one of the rare four-time first-team selections in conference history. She helped elevate Ferrum women’s lacrosse while setting numerous program records, including career points, points in a season, points in a game, and goals in a game. A two-time USA South All-Tournament Team selection, Hewartson-Thomas finished her career as the program’s all-time leader in offensive production and remains one of the most accomplished athletes in Ferrum women’s sports history. She currently serves as Title Relationship Partner at Pride Settlement and is the proud mother of three daughters with her husband, Jonathan.

Daryl Irvine ’85, Grottoes, Virginia – Baseball

Among the select group of Ferrum baseball alumni to reach Major League Baseball, Irvine played for the Panthers from 1983 to 1985 before being selected by the Boston Red Sox in the first round (20th overall) of the 1985 MLB Draft. Selected in the MLB Draft three times before signing with Boston, Irvine was regarded as one of the top collegiate pitching prospects of his era. He advanced through the Red Sox organization, reaching Triple-A before making his Major League debut in 1990. Irvine pitched three seasons with Boston from 1990 to 1992, appearing in 41 career games, and was twice named International League Relief Pitcher of the Year during his professional career. He enjoyed a nine-year professional baseball career before returning to the Shenandoah Valley, where he has served as an assistant golf professional at Massanutten Resort for nearly three decades.

Chad Maddox ’95, Rustburg, Virginia – Baseball

A four-year standout for Ferrum baseball from 1992 to 1995, Maddox served as team captain during his final two seasons and received the Ferrum President’s Cup in 1995. He earned first-team All-Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and All-Region honors in each of his final three seasons while also receiving DIAC All-Academic recognition. Maddox finished his career as one of Ferrum’s most productive hitters, holding school records for career at-bats, career hits, single-season RBI, and RBI in a game, and was later named to the USA South 50th Anniversary Baseball Team. Following his playing career, he became a Certified Public Accountant and has owned and operated his own CPA firm since 2001. Maddox has also dedicated years of service to professional organizations, community boards, and youth baseball and softball programs.

Chris Silk ’07, Richmond, Virginia – Football

A record-setting tight end for Ferrum football from 2003 to 2006, Silk became the first Panther athlete to earn four first-team All-Conference selections during his career. He earned first-team All-USA South honors in each of his four seasons and received D3Football.com All-Region, VaSID All-State, and Roanoke Times All-State honors in 2006. A member of the USA South 50th Anniversary Football Team, Silk established Ferrum records for career receiving touchdowns, career yards per reception, and single-season yards per reception, finishing his career with 47 receptions for 1,060 yards and 24 touchdowns. After graduating cum laude from Ferrum, he earned a master’s degree in Criminal Behavior Analysis from the University of Cincinnati while serving in the United States Navy. Today, Silk serves with the Henrico Police Department, including the department’s SWAT Team, and has earned multiple honors for his law enforcement work.

About the Sports Hall of Fame Ceremony

The 2026 inductees will be formally honored during an on-campus Hall of Fame Ceremony on the morning of Saturday, September 5. Later that day, they will be recognized during the halftime of Ferrum’s home football game against Emory & Henry University, with kickoff set for 2:00 p.m. at W.B. Adams Stadium. For more information about attending this year’s Sports Hall of Fame ceremony and to register, use the button below or click here.

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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.

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Ferrum, VA, July 24, 2026 — Ferrum College is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew C. E. Hubbard, Regional President for Southwest Virginia at C&F Bank, to its Board of Trustees, bringing to the College an accomplished banking executive, respected community leader, and passionate advocate for economic and community development.

With more than seventeen years of commercial banking leadership, Hubbard has established a distinguished career serving businesses and communities throughout Virginia. As Regional President for C&F Bank’s Southwest Virginia markets, he provides strategic leadership across the region, drawing upon extensive expertise in commercial and industrial lending, commercial real estate, relationship management, and financial strategy. Prior to joining C&F Bank, he served in senior leadership positions with Atlantic Union Bank and American National Bank & Trust.

Hubbard earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from Radford University and a Master of Business Administration from the Raymond A. Mason School of Business at College of William & Mary. He is also a graduate of the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia and the prestigious Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania.

A native of Franklin County, Virginia, Hubbard has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to community service throughout his career. He has served on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations, including United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge, the Science Museum of Western Virginia, the Blue Ridge Mountains Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Grandin Theatre Foundation. In recognition of his professional achievements and community leadership, he was named to The Roanoker magazine’s “40 Under 40” Class of 2023.

Board of Trustees Chair Scott Showalter ’73 said, “We are pleased to have Matt Hubbard join the Board of Trustees. His significant business experience and deep roots in Virginia will be invaluable in helping to address the many changing operational issues facing institutions of higher education today. I look forward to his leadership, insights, and contributions.”

As a member of the Board of Trustees, Hubbard will help provide strategic leadership as Ferrum College continues to strengthen its academic programs, expand opportunities for students, and build meaningful partnerships that support the institution’s long-term success.

“We are honored and excited to welcome Matthew Hubbard to the Ferrum College Board of Trustees and grateful for his leadership and partnership with our institution,” said Dr. Mirta M. Martin, president of Ferrum College. “Strong relationships with community leaders who believe in our mission are essential to advancing opportunities for our students and strengthening the future of the College. Mr. Hubbard’s commitment to service, leadership, and the communities we serve reflects the very values that define Ferrum College. We look forward to the wisdom, perspective, and passion he will bring as we continue preparing students to lead, serve, and make a difference.”

Hubbard’s appointment reflects Ferrum College’s commitment to engaging visionary leaders whose professional expertise, community engagement, and dedication to service will help shape the College’s future while advancing its mission of educating graduates who make meaningful contributions to their communities and professions.

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Held on the Ferrum College campus July 6–17, the academy provided high school students ages 14 to 19 from across Southwest Virginia with immersive, hands-on training in the construction trades at no cost. By combining the strengths of higher education, workforce development, local government, and private industry, the program removed financial barriers and exposed students to high-demand, high-paying career opportunities.

The academy featured two specialized weeks of instruction to introduce students to different areas of the construction industry.

Concrete Week (July 6–10), sponsored by Procon, Inc., Ferrum College, and Franklin County, introduced students to commercial concrete construction. Under the guidance of Build Smart Institute instructors and Procon professionals, participants learned about jobsite safety, poured and finished concrete for a permanent structure at Ferrum College, and gained firsthand experience with commercial and industrial construction techniques.

Carpentry Week (July 13–17), sponsored by Virginia Housing, Ferrum College, and Franklin County, focused on woodworking and residential construction skills. Under the guidance of Build Smart Institute instructors, students learned safe tool operation, practiced basic carpentry techniques, and continued building a permanent picnic shelter at Ferrum College’s softball field.

To ensure the program was accessible to all interested students, tuition was fully covered, daily transportation was provided between The Franklin Center in Rocky Mount and Ferrum College, and participants received lunch daily.

“Our partnerships with Build Smart Institute, Franklin County Economic Development, Procon, Inc., and Virginia Housing reflect Ferrum College’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people to discover their strengths, explore rewarding career paths, and envision bright futures for themselves and our region,” said Dr. Mirta M. Martin, president of Ferrum College. “Experiences like Future Builders Academy help students gain practical skills, build confidence, and see firsthand what’s possible when education and industry work together. We are proud to welcome these students to our campus, introduce them to the Ferrum College community, and help them see the many educational pathways available to support their goals.”

Build Smart Institute President Michelle Ramaker said the academy gives students an authentic introduction to the skilled trades while helping meet the region’s growing workforce needs.

“The enthusiasm and craftsmanship these students have shown over the past two weeks prove that the passion for building is alive and well in Southwest Virginia,” said Ramaker. “By providing high school students with real-world, industry-standard training guided by experienced instructors, we aren’t just teaching trade skills, we’re opening doors to rewarding career pathways. Our collaboration with Ferrum College, Franklin County Economic Development, Procon, Inc., and Virginia Housing helps prepare these students to enter the modern construction workforce with confidence.”

For Procon, Inc., participating in the academy was an opportunity to invest directly in the future of the construction industry by sharing expertise with the next generation.

“At Procon, we believe one of the best ways to strengthen the construction industry is to invest in the next generation,” said Aaron Long, president of Procon, Inc. “By providing students with hands-on experience in concrete construction, we introduce them to career paths they might not otherwise consider. Whether they pursue the skilled trades or construction management, or simply gain a greater appreciation for the craft, we’re honored to help open those doors.”

Franklin County Economic Development Director Danielle Poe said the academy exemplifies the impact that can be achieved through strong regional partnerships focused on workforce development. “Economic development is about building a sustainable future, and that starts with our youth,” said Poe. “The Future Builders Academy demonstrates what is possible when education, industry, and local government work together. We’re grateful to our partners and sponsors for bringing this opportunity to Franklin County and to the students who embraced the experience. We hope many of them will continue pursuing careers that will one day bring their talents back to our community.”

The Future Builders Academy’s impact extends beyond the two-week experience by connecting students with educational and career pathways that can lead directly into the regional workforce. The Academy also serves as a gateway to continued education and workforce training. Students seeking to expand their skills can pursue Ferrum College’s Technical Studies and Construction Project Management programs, developed in partnership with Build Smart Institute. These programs offer opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials, such as NCCER and OSHA-10 certifications, while working toward a college degree.

For more information on workforce training opportunities at Ferrum College, visit the College’s Technical Studies program or Build Smart Institute.

Click here for more photographs.

About the Partners

Ferrum College is a private liberal arts institution located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Through personalized, hands-on learning and strong regional partnerships, the College prepares students for meaningful careers and lifelong success, including in high-demand workforce fields through its Technical Studies programs.

Build Smart Institute, based in Roanoke, Virginia, is a leading trade school dedicated to providing accessible, career-focused training in construction and the skilled trades. Its industry-recognized programs prepare students for successful careers in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, construction management, and related fields.

The Franklin County Office of Economic Development promotes sustainable economic growth by supporting business development, strengthening the local workforce, and fostering partnerships that enhance opportunities for residents and employers throughout the region.

Procon, Inc., headquartered in Rocky Mount, Virginia, is a leading commercial and industrial concrete contractor serving Virginia, North Carolina, and surrounding states. Guided by its commitment to integrity, determination, and safety, Procon delivers high-quality turnkey concrete construction services.

Virginia Housing works in partnership with communities across the Commonwealth to help Virginians attain quality, affordable housing while supporting initiatives that strengthen neighborhoods, expand workforce opportunities, and invest in the future of Virginia’s communities.

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Dr. Crow’s storytelling often focused on his folksy and wise alter ego Old Joe Grady. He appeared in two public radio series, one on these original stories in 1996-2000 and one on Appalachia in 2000, then published a group of the tales on a college website. The book grew out of these Old Joe Grady tales and, as his family describes it, “a lifetime of stories, hiking trips, and family adventures.”

At the time of his death in July 2025, Dr. Crow had completed a draft and signed a contract with Black Rose Writing, an independent publisher in Texas. After Dr. Crow was hospitalized in July and Black Rose owner Reagan Rothe gave the go-ahead for the project to continue, son Rob Crow said he turned to Ferrum College Professor of English Lana Whited “because I knew she had written a book and was an experienced editor as well. When the publisher informed me that he believed I was ‘more than capable of finishing the book,’ my first thought was that I still needed Lana and her expertise to produce a book to Dad’s standards and give it the quality it rightly deserves.” 

Dr. Whited has worked extensively through the past year editing, proofreading, checking copy, consulting with the family and publisher, and helping to publicize the book. Professor of English Katherine Grimes helped with proofreading and Professor Emerita of English Marcia Horn contributed a blurb to help promote the book as well.

Dr. Whited wrote, “‘Staying Alive in Bear Country’ is the magnum opus of Pete Crow’s heart, his lifelong project, and a synthesis of many of his life’s passions and experiences.”

The book, which Dr. Crow considered a novel, follows the adventures of the central character over about sixty years as he navigates varied jobs, travels, and locations, including not only his native North Carolina but also New York City, Wyoming, the New River Valley region, Honduras, South Africa, and even William Faulkner’s imagined Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi. The publisher describes how he maintains “wonder, curiosity, and authentic engagement with every day he’s given.” Sometimes autobiographical and often fictional, the adventures are episodes in the protagonist’s ongoing quest “to stay alive until you die . . . to feel excited about each new day. Like a kid, you know. But over a lifetime” (p. 2). The publisher says that with “humor, heart, and unflinching honesty” he “examines friendship, love, mortality, and the courage required to stay truly alive in an often challenging world.”

The effort to see the book in print became a family project for the Crows. Beth Crow, the author’s spouse of more than forty-five years and a 1979 Ferrum graduate, created the watercolor illustration for the cover, featuring a young bear perching at the top of a tree. Rob Crow has worked closely with Dr. Whited and Black Rose on editorial and publishing work, and daughter Amy Crow has helped with publicity and collecting photos for an author website. 

Beth Crow recalls that her husband’s writing preferences reflected many of his favorites: he often wrote outdoors, in the company of his dog Maggie, and within view of neighbors out for a walk or collecting their mail. “He liked chatting with the neighbors,” Beth Crow says, “especially about his work.” Crow says her husband saved a section of an old family picnic table from their Ferrum home to use as a lap desk during his work sessions. He especially enjoyed his “outdoor office” during the pandemic, when it was easy to feel isolated from others. After his hospitalization and death, Beth Crow says, neighbors sometimes inquired about Pete because they hadn’t seen him writing outside for a while. Like his fictional protagonist, she notes, he “never met a stranger.” 

Dr. Crow served on the Ferrum College English faculty for thirty-five years, from 1973 to 2008. As a young faculty member in the 1970s, he helped develop the curriculum for the college’s two-year to four-year transformation. He later worked with faculty in history, sociology, and environmental science to create the college’s Appalachian Cluster, a multidisciplinary program focusing on modernization in Appalachian, including the region’s challenges. Along the way, Dr. Crow directed three National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institutes focused on regional learning, won a national teaching award from the United Methodist Church, and served a term at Ferrum as Forrest S. and Jean B. Williams Distinguished Professor in the Humanities. 

Retired professor Pete Crow listening to Appalachian Cluster students at Grace House in St. Paul, Virginia when he met the group there in 2017.

Dr. Crow earned degrees at Davidson College (B.A.), Florida State University (M.A.), and Duke University (Ph.D.). He is the author of a nonfiction book, Do, Die, or Get Along: A Tale of Two Appalachian Towns, a collection of oral histories from St. Paul and Dante, Virginia, all focused on challenges facing small Appalachian coal towns in the modern era. That book began when Dr. Crow guided students taking English composition in the Appalachian Cluster in conducting interviews at the towns they visited on field trips.

The first book launch will be held at the Phoebe Needles Center (732 Turners Creek Rd., Callaway, VA 24067) on August 8, 4-6 p.m. Copies of the book will be available for sale and guests are asked to bring an appetizer to share. Those near the Crows’ North Carolina home can attend a book launch at Church of the Nativity on August 9, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. (8849 Ray Rd., Raleigh, NC 27613).

A publisher discount for preordering the book is available from Black Rose here.

Website on Author Peter Crow and “Staying Alive in Bear Country”

Read more about Dr. Peter Crow’s career at Ferrum College here.

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The NEH participants are now concluding two weeks of meeting virtually, and they gathered at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. during their middle week, where the NEH, in collaboration with the City University of New York, arranged for access to the largest collections of documents on the New Deal project that resulted in extensive archives of folklore and writings developed between 1935 and the mid-1940s. At the end of their in-person meetings, participants gathered all afternoon on July 10, concluding with short talks by four scholars and then a rousing Jack Tale show.

Silas Blankenship-Tucker (10), the youngest Jack Tale Player, traveled by train with Emily and Rachel Blankenship-Tucker, and Professor of English Tina Hanlon, for the week of research and exploring before the performance. They ended up spending all day Saturday on a train that left Roanoke two hours late and had to travel at 25 mph because of the extreme heat, so they had plenty of time to compare notes and plan the program that had just been arranged the day before they left Ferrum. 

During the unexpected delay, Hanlon wrote in Facebook that “Runwell could run circles around this train without breaking a sweat (even when it’s 100 degrees out).” In one of the popular tales adapted by Rex Stephenson for the Jack Tale Players, “Hardy Hard Head,” Runwell is one of the helpers with magic powers, and he can run circles around the magic land ship that Jack acquires after sharing his food with an old beggar man. The helpers join him one by one on an adventure to rescue the king’s girl. Jack’s magic words “Sail ship sail” probably wouldn’t have helped this train, but small packs of snacks and bottles of water were provided to the travelers as the ones from Ferrum counted their crackers in anticipation of meager rations later in the evening. 

Hanlon said she was amused to see instrument cases on the train platform with a washboard attached by zip-tie to the banjo case. The washboard and other old-time instruments for sound effects and songs are hallmarks of Jack Tale shows. They were sure they had packed everything, but on Friday morning Silas’ indispensable suspenders could not be found, so they used the not-so-old-time method of getting a Door Dash delivery of red suspenders from a store. 

The Jack Tale Players had performed in many libraries over the past fifty years and traveled all across the country in decades past, but never before in the world’s largest libraries. Rachel Blankenship-Tucker wrote on Friday, “Gingham and suspenders have entered the Library of Congress! I repeat: gingham and suspenders have entered the Library of Congress!” On the Facebook page called The Jack Tales, generations of Jack Tale Players and their followers would grasp the significance of that image. 

To start this program, Emily explained the early history of the Jack Tale Players and the adventures and tricks that typically occur in Jack Tales. Hanlon, who discussed a few more of their methods, experiences, grant-funded projects, and their logo, displayed a few picture books based on Appalachian tales, scripts by Rex Stephenson, copies of archived tales from the James Taylor Adams Collection at Ferrum’s Blue Ridge Institute and Museum (BRIM), and pictures drawn by children who saw Jack Tale shows over the past fifty years.

The performance began with the folk song “Wild Hog in the Woods,” with banjo and fiddle. After the story theatre dramatization of a Jack Tale, it ended with a lively fiddle tune while Silas demonstrated the flatfoot dancing style common in Franklin County, Virginia. A short video of the dancing is in the Ferrum College Flickr album at the link below. 

Although the Library of Congress has the world’s largest collections, the NEH group met in a dining room in the Madison Building with a quite small performance space and a podium but no stage. The Jack Tale Players have extensive experience performing in all kinds of spaces and conditions, to audiences huge and small. Hanlon reported, from watching them up close this time, that it was the first time she saw Silas play Jack and the acting of all three was as good as she’s ever seen. They are always well-prepared for playing different roles on short notice. She said, “I’ve seen the same tales dozens of times but there is always something new to evoke surprise and laughter–such as seeing Rachel play all of the animals in ‘Jack and the Robbers’ because the cast was so small.” Rachel’s first Jack Tale role had been an old cat in this tale in 2010, and Emily had joined in 2001. 

Throughout the week Emily Blankenship-Tucker worked diligently in the archives of the American Folklife Center while the others from Ferrum explored museums around the National Mall. She even found folklore and music history from Ferrum there, including documents about a Ferrum String Band in the 1930s, as well as Jack Tales she had never heard of before.

Hanlon worked in the archive one day, continuing her research seeking Appalachian folktales with strong female characters. They both found references that they can view digitally or with library resources they can access from home. Hanlon listened to an archive recording that included famous folklorist Bascomb Lamar Lunsford of North Carolina singing “Wreck of the Old 97” in 1935 for Columbia University, a ballad set in southside Virginia that she has heard the Jack Tale Players sing many times.

As Emily Blankenship-Tucker thinks historically and creatively about next steps for the Jack Tale Players after their fiftieth anniversary last fall, this trip to the Library of Congress brought them full circle, because it was one of Rex Stephenson’s first stops when he began archive research. Assisted by Director Emeritus of the BRIM Roddy Moore, he collected tales with a grant from the Virginia Commission of the Arts and began dramatizing them in Ferrum and Callaway with his college students in 1975, soon taking them across Virginia and then to a youth festival in New York’s Central Park, and across the country to perform for the USO in veterans’ hospitals. 

Mike Ferguson ‘81, one of the “early years” Jack Tale Players and a longtime Ferrum College staff member, wrote “such an amazing honor” when he saw photos from the Library of Congress show. Rachel Blankenship-Tucker wrote after the show, “That’s one for the history books. Today & Always!”

Photographs at Library of Congress Madison Building courtesy of Lee Tucker.

Click here for more photographs.

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A proud Ferrum College alumna, Luther has dedicated her professional career to serving the institution that helped shape her. Throughout her tenure, she has earned the respect of colleagues across campus through her integrity, collaborative leadership, sound financial judgment, and steadfast commitment to ensuring the long-term fiscal health of Ferrum College.

As Chief Financial Officer, Luther has played a pivotal role in strengthening the College’s financial operations, overseeing budgeting, financial planning, audits, investments, regulatory compliance, cash management, and strategic resource allocation. Her leadership has been instrumental in improving institutional financial reporting, strengthening internal controls, enhancing operational efficiencies, and supporting the College’s long-term strategic priorities.

Working closely with the president, the Board of Trustees, and members of the Senior Leadership Team, Luther has helped guide Ferrum College through a period of significant transformation while maintaining a disciplined approach to financial stewardship and accountability. Her thoughtful leadership and commitment to transparency have positioned the College to continue building financial strength while investing strategically in its students, faculty, staff, and programs.

“The promotion of Jessica Luther ’06 to Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer is a wonderful reflection of the Ferrum College story—our students grow, succeed, and return to serve the institution that helped shape them,” said Dr. Mirta M. Martin, president of Ferrum College. “As a proud alumna, Jessica understands deeply the transformative power of a Ferrum College education and embodies our mission of ‘Not Self, But Others’ through her leadership, integrity, and commitment to our College. We are fortunate to have a leader who not only understands the College’s past but is helping build its future.”

As Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Luther will continue to provide strategic leadership for the College’s financial operations, including budgeting, accounting, treasury management, investments, financial reporting, compliance, risk management, and long-range financial planning. She will also continue serving as a member of the President’s Senior Leadership Team, helping advance Ferrum College’s strategic vision and ensuring the responsible stewardship of institutional resources.

Luther said, “I am honored to serve my alma mater in this new role and deeply grateful for the opportunity to give back to an institution that has had such a lasting impact on my life. I look forward to continuing to work alongside our campus community to advance the College’s mission and help ensure a strong and sustainable future for our students.”

Luther’s promotion reflects Ferrum College’s continued commitment to developing leaders from within its own community and investing in talented alumni whose professional accomplishments exemplify the transformative impact of a Ferrum College education.

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Ferrum, VA, July 15, 2026 — Ferrum College is proud to announce the appointment of distinguished alumnus George “Bryan” Slater ’82 to its Board of Trustees, welcoming one of the College’s most accomplished graduates back to help guide its future.

A 1982 graduate of Ferrum College, Slater has built an exceptional career spanning more than three decades of leadership across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Following his service as Virginia Secretary of Labor, he now serves in a senior leadership role with Dominion Energy, where he continues to advance workforce, organizational, and strategic initiatives. His career has been defined by a steadfast commitment to public service, organizational excellence, and principled leadership.

Slater’s distinguished record includes service as Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management at the U.S. Department of Labor, Assistant Secretary for Administration at the U.S. Department of Transportation, White House Liaison at the U.S. Department of Labor, and Congressional Relations Officer for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He also served as Virginia Secretary of Administration under Governor James Gilmore and has held executive leadership positions with several nationally recognized nonprofit organizations. In recognition of his leadership, Slater received the Virginia Commonwealth University Wilder School’s Innovation in Government Award and previously served on the Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors.

Three years ago, Slater returned to his alma mater as the keynote speaker for Ferrum College’s commencement ceremony, where he challenged graduates to lead lives of integrity, purpose, and service. His appointment to the Board of Trustees reflects his enduring commitment to Ferrum College and to preparing future generations of leaders.

“As an alumnus of Ferrum College, Bryan Slater has a deep understanding of the vision and mission of the college,” said Scott Showalter, ’73, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “His various and distinguished experiences in the federal government and state of Virginia can provide significant insights to the college as we maneuver the ever-changing and complex regulatory environment impacting higher education today. I look forward to working with Bryan.”

As a member of the Ferrum College Board of Trustees, Slater will help provide strategic guidance as the College continues to strengthen its academic programs, expand opportunities for students, and advance its mission of educating leaders who embody the College’s motto, Not Self, But Others.

“Ferrum College is proud to welcome Bryan Slater ’82 back to the Panther family as a Trustee,” said Dr. Mirta M. Martin, president of Ferrum College. “Through this appointment, we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates and the lasting impact they make in the world. Mr. Slater’s distinguished career in public service, including his leadership as Virginia Secretary of Labor and his current leadership role with Dominion Energy, reflects the very best of our mission—preparing graduates who lead with integrity, serve others, and make a meaningful difference in their communities. His continued commitment to the College is a testament to the enduring strength of the Panther experience and the lifelong connection shared by our alumni.”

Slater’s appointment reflects Ferrum College’s long-standing tradition of alumni leadership and the profound impact its graduates continue to make across Virginia and the nation. His return to serve his alma mater is a powerful example of the lifelong connection shared by members of the Panther family.

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A proud Ferrum College alumnus, former student-athlete, and football coach, Adams has dedicated his career to advancing the mission of his alma mater. Since returning to Ferrum College, he has provided visionary leadership during one of the most significant periods in the history of the athletics program, guiding the institution through its successful transition from NCAA Division III to NCAA Division II membership and Conference Carolinas competition.

Under Adams’ leadership, Ferrum College has strengthened its commitment to academic excellence, competitive success, student development, and compliance while positioning Panther Athletics for continued growth at the national level. His leadership has also expanded opportunities for student-athletes, enhanced the student-athlete experience, strengthened external partnerships and fundraising efforts, and fostered a culture built upon integrity, accountability, and service.

Throughout his tenure, Adams has championed the philosophy that athletics serves as an extension of the educational mission of Ferrum College, preparing students not only for competition, but for lives of leadership, service, and success beyond graduation. His leadership has reinforced the College’s commitment to developing the whole student while advancing the visibility and reputation of Panther Athletics.

“Coach Cleive Adams’ appointment as Vice President for Athletics is a powerful reflection of the Ferrum College story—a proud alumnus returning to serve and lead the institution that helped shape him,” said Dr. Mirta M. Martin, president of Ferrum College. “Since returning to the College, Coach Adams has provided outstanding leadership and vision, guiding Panther Athletics through the historic transition to NCAA Division II while building a culture centered on excellence, integrity, academic achievement, and student development. His journey from Ferrum College student-athlete to Vice President for Athletics exemplifies our mission in action—preparing individuals to lead, serve, and make a difference.”

“I am deeply honored to continue serving my alma mater and the campus community in the role of Vice President for Athletics, ” said Adams. “I recognize the importance of this appointment as we continue the work of redefining and shaping the Ferrum College of the future. I am excited to continue working closely with President Martin, the Senior Leadership Team, and colleagues across campus in a collaborative effort to stay ahead of the curve as we confront the challenges facing small colleges nationally, while remaining firmly committed to the mission and values that make Ferrum special.”

As Vice President for Athletics, Adams will continue to provide strategic leadership for the College’s NCAA Division II athletics program, overseeing intercollegiate athletics, student-athlete success, compliance, facilities, fundraising, strategic planning, and community engagement. As a member of the President’s Senior Leadership Team, he will continue helping advance the College’s strategic priorities and institutional mission.

Adams added, “Athletics is an integral part of the Ferrum College experience and has a tremendous responsibility to positively impact our student-athletes, strengthen our campus culture, support institutional enrollment and retention efforts, and serve as a source of pride and connection for our alumni and surrounding community. I remain deeply committed to leading our athletic department through this important journey and ensuring that athletics continues to serve as a collaborative and impactful partner in advancing the broader mission and future of the College. At the heart of that mission is our responsibility to provide an environment where students can enter with promise, leave with purpose, and carry the torch of Ferrum into their professional and personal lives. I look forward to continuing this journey alongside our campus community as we prepare the next generation of Ferrum graduates to lead, serve, and live out our enduring motto: ‘Not Self, But Others.’”

Adams’ promotion reflects Ferrum College’s continued commitment to developing leaders from within its own community and investing in individuals whose lives and careers embody the transformative power of a Ferrum College education.

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To be considered for the expedited process, institutions must apply by Oct. 1 of the preceding academic year and secure an invitation from an active Division II conference. The application requires extensive documentation demonstrating institutional readiness, including sports sponsorship, financial aid plans, athletics strategic plans, and department policies.

Once accepted into the process, institutions enter a two-year provisional period during which they must meet annual benchmarks in areas such as NCAA compliance, financial aid commitments, and institutional leadership engagement. The process includes on-campus evaluations, conference membership participation, and attendance at key NCAA events, including the NCAA Convention and Regional Rules Seminar. Institutions that successfully complete the requirements within the two-year period will be recommended for full NCAA Division II membership. If additional development is needed, a third year may be required.

Ferrum officials received word in February 2025 that the NCAA had approved the College’s request to enter the expedited provisional process. Ferrum completed year one during the 2025-26 academic year and soon enters the second and final year of the provisional period as the NCAA evaluates the College’s readiness for full Division II membership.

Ferrum first joined the NCAA as a Division III institution in 1985. The College became a member of the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 1988 and remained with the league, which was later renamed the USA South Athletic Conference, through the 2017-18 academic year.

After 30 years in the USA South, Ferrum accepted an invitation to join the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) in the summer of 2018. The Panthers completed seven full seasons in ODAC before beginning the reclassification process to NCAA Division II. Ferrum spent a total of 37 years competing in NCAA Division III, the largest of the NCAA’s three divisions with more than 420 member institutions. Division I includes more than 360 schools, while Division II has more than 290 members.

When the College announced its intention to pursue NCAA Division II membership in the spring of 2024, Ferrum was invited to join Conference Carolinas. Founded in 1930 as the North State Intercollegiate Conference and informally known as the Old North State Conference, Conference Carolinas now consists of 16 member institutions across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, along with Ferrum in Virginia.

Ferrum competes in Conference Carolinas championship play in football, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track & field, men’s wrestling, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s golf, women’s flag football, and men’s and women’s lacrosse. The conference also sponsors championships in women’s triathlon and acrobatics & tumbling, partners with the South Atlantic Conference to conduct championships in field hockey, women’s beach volleyball, and women’s wrestling, and partners with the Great Midwest Athletic Conference for men’s and women’s bowling championships.

Read more about Panther Athletics here.

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