Ferrum, VA, June 11, 2025 — Amy Hoback Whitten, who graduated from Ferrum College in 2009, was named Citizen of the Year by the Chase City, Virginia, Chamber of Commerce at its annual awards ceremony November 7, 2025. A teacher of middle school agriculture, she is active in the civic life of Mecklenburg County and involves her students in agriculture programs outside the classroom, at her alma mater and through regional and national activities.
According to The Mecklenburg Sun, “The Citizen of the Year award was presented to Amy Whitten for her ongoing dedication and outstanding service to Chase City. Whitten is an ever-present volunteer at the many events hosted by the Chase City Chamber as well as a much beloved ag teacher and FFA advisor at Mecklenburg County High and Middle School. Along with the plaque naming Whitten as Citizen of the Year for 2025, Chase City Chamber President Trina Burns presented Whitten with a stack of letters written by her many students praising and thanking her for guiding and teaching them.”
Jacob Whitten ‘10, a firefighter in Chase City, explained after the award ceremony that he had helped keep the event’s purpose a secret from his wife by pretending that he had nominated her for a local Christmas parade committee. He added, “I am super proud of the work and energy she puts into her program both in the classroom and out!”
Professor Emeritus Bob Pohlad remembers that Amy Hoback (now Whitten) and Jacob Whitten helped build the college arboretum between Garber Hall and Rt. 40, and later they were married there. He said, “Amy and Jacob met in my class. They actually were the first ones to work on the greenhouse at the Titmus Center and started to grow plants together and kept it going in the early days with activities such as the plant sale. I always felt like Amy was one of those people who would be a great teacher eventually. She had the drive to share her knowledge of plants and animals and teach other people.”
In November 2025 the Mecklenburg School System shared photos of Whitten’s students at an FFA convention in Indianapolis. In 2021 she was chosen as an FFA National Teacher Ambassador for 2021-22. She wrote at the end of the 2025 trip, “Traveling with my kids is the BEST part of my job. I can offer experiences that I can’t give them at home. We did it big this week…. There’s nothing better than watching the kids you love fall in love with your favorite organization. I’m Ag Teacher tired and running on fumes BUT my heart is happy and we’re heading back to Virginia.”
The Mecklenburg School System also shared pictures of Whitten’s students visiting Ferrum College in October, “where they toured the campus, met with college representatives, and spoke with current students to learn more about college life and opportunities at Ferrum. Fun fact: Two of our FFA advisors, Mrs. Whitten and Ms. Thomas, are proud Ferrum College graduates!” The photos show students holding goats at the Titmus Center and learning about the hydroponic lettuce grown there now.
Taking public school kids to Ferrum or Indiana for academic and professional enrichment is serious business, but Whitten’s sense of humor and the mutual affection she shares with her students are evident in projects and student comments that she shares in social media. In 2020 she celebrated National Ag Week by creating a YouTube channel and soliciting farm readings of children’s books from colleagues. So you can watch a video of Ferrum’s own Dr. Nancy Brubaker ‘94 presenting a lively reading of Dr. Seuss’s Mr. Bown Can Moo, Can You? in a pen full of sheep.
At the end of the school year Whitten asks eighth graders to write “Whitten Warnings” for the upcoming class. They warn their peers about her clothing styles, her protectiveness with her desk space and social media friendships, and her high standards for their behavior. They also appreciate all that Mr. Whitten’s does for them—when he “makes the best BBQ for the banquet and helps us clean everything up. We love him and are extra nice to him.”
The warnings reflect on the fun and affection shared by students and teacher. This year two of the students wrote, “Anything that happens at the barn stays at the barn” and “If she calls you a heifer she loves you extra.” Another advised, “You can be yourself in here. She doesn’t mind weird.” And one said, “She gives the best hugs and pep talks. She’s kind of like an extra Mom.”
Brubaker said that Whitten “is truly grass roots in the agriculture industry and works diligently to help provide opportunities for students to become productive members of our industry as well as good citizens. Her excellence is evident in her depth of commitment and I am proud she calls Ferrum home.” Ferrum College commends Amy Hoback Whitten and Jacob Whitten for continuing the traditions of educational excellence and public service carried on year after year by the College’s agricultural programs, and for living lives that exemplify Ferrum’s motto “Not Self, But Others.”
