Ferrum College is pleased to announce this year’s three annual alumni awards: Rachel Wells ’16, Outstanding Young Alumni; Keith E. Fisher ’68, Distinguished Alumni and Baxter F. Phillips, Jr. ’66, Beckham Medallion.
Ferrum College is pleased to announce this year’s three annual alumni awards: Rachel Wells ’16, Young Alumni; Keith E. Fisher ’68, Distinguished Alumni and Baxter F. Phillips, Jr. ’66, Beckham Medallion.
The 2024 Award recipients were recognized along with members of the Class of 1974 and 1974 NJCAA National Championship Football team, who were honored as this year’s Golden Panthers, during Homecoming Weekend.
The alumni awards are part of a tradition begun with recognition of several College founders and leaders from the 1920s. Winners are nominated by alumni, faculty or staff, vetted by the Nominations Committee of the Alumni Board of Directors, and approved by the president. Mr. Glynn Loope ’86, Alumni Board of Directors president, presented the awards in Saturday’s ceremony on behalf of the College.
The Outstanding Young Alumni award is given to a young alumna or alumnus who has graduated within the last 15 years and who has demonstrated outstanding promise and success in a professional career and who has made a significant impact on cultural, civic or charitable groups—including the college. This year’s recipient is Rachel Wells, class of 2016. As a student-athlete, Rachel earned titles such as Sophomore of the Year (2014) and NCAA Sportsmanship Award (2013) and was recognized four times as an NCAA Academic All-Conference athlete for her achievements both on the tennis court and in the classroom. Serving as the captain of the Women’s Tennis Team from 2014 to 2016. After graduating from Ferrum, she went on to earn her Masters of Business Administration at Clark University in 2023. Rachel has worked as a consultant at Public Consulting Group for six years, primarily within the school systems in the state of Virginia. During her time at PCG, she has received a national recognition for her work as a Medicaid Consultant. Rachel also runs a wedding and floral business in Floyd, Virginia.
Ferrum College’s Distinguished Alumni Award is given after a rigorous review of a nominee’s complete, lifelong impact and embodiment of Not Self, But Others. The DAA is held to a high standard of ethics, principles, social and societal impact, and career attainment, along with overall commitment to the ideals and ethos of Ferrum College. This year’s recipient is the Golden Panthers Chair, Keith Fisher class of 1968. Fisher played football at Ferrum for two years under legendary coaches Han Norton and Rick Tolley, before completing his degree at Lynchburg College in 1971. His professional career is marked by his service of working for 20 years at the YMCA of Central Virginia and 10 years at the Bedford YMCA. Keith also dedicated 15 years as a Treatment Program Supervisor of Buckingham Correctional Center. Following his retirement, Fisher has been highly active in the college community, he has served on Ferrum College’s Sports Hall of Fame committee and chaired the Golden Panthers. In 2011, he was inducted into the Ferrum College Sports Hall of Fame.
Ferrum College’s highest tribute is the Benjamin M. Beckham Medallion. Each year it is bestowed upon an alumnus or alumna whose life has consistently demonstrated the highest forms of achievement, from being widely recognized for contributions to his or her chosen career, civic leadership, church commitment, as well as a character that exemplifies the spirit of “Not Self, But Others.” This year’s recipient is Baxter Phillips, Jr. class of 1966. After graduating from Ferrum, he went on to earn his B.S. in Management from Virginia Commonwealth University. Baxter worked in the Banking Industry for the first portion of his career, working for what is now known as Truist Bank, the American Security Bank, and the Virginia Retirement System. He then took a job with A.T. Massey Coal, rising all the way up the ranks to President, & CEO of the company and President and CEO of its parent organization Massey Energy Company. Baxter now devotes his time to impact and mentor students at VCU, to help guide young minds towards success. He and his wife have also worked to create new scholarship endowment program at Ferrum.
