FERRUM, VA, November 17, 2025 – Ferrum College celebrated the achievements of outstanding alumni and the generosity of its dedicated supporters during the Alumni Awards and Donor Appreciation Ceremony on Saturday, November 15, 2025, in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room of Franklin Hall. Guests gathered for breakfast and a morning honoring individuals whose service, leadership, and philanthropy continue to strengthen the College and enrich the student experience.
The Outstanding Young Alumni Award—presented to a graduate of the last 15 years who has shown exceptional professional promise and meaningful civic, cultural, or charitable impact—was awarded posthumously to Alexandria M. Dixon ’19. A magna cum laude graduate, Dixon was known on campus for her leadership as captain of the Women’s Tennis Team, president of the Enactus Academic Team, and a trusted mentor to her peers. After Ferrum, she built a professionally recognized career in technology and operations while remaining deeply engaged with the College through the Alumni Board of Directors. Her legacy continues through an endowed scholarship supporting business students who embody her generosity, integrity, and commitment to excellence.
The Distinguished Alumni Award, presented after a review of a nominee’s lifelong record of professional accomplishment, ethical leadership, service, and embodiment of Not Self, But Others, honored Sarah Q. Wagner ’94 and William Wagner ’94. Both were standout athletes and leaders at Ferrum, later earning induction into the Sports Hall of Fame. William went on to a celebrated 16-year Major League Baseball career and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025. Sarah’s leadership and commitment anchored their family and shaped the lives of countless young athletes. Together, they continue to support Ferrum through mentorship, philanthropy, and advocacy—modeling purpose-driven lives grounded in faith, perseverance, and service.
Ferrum College’s highest honor, the Benjamin M. Beckham Medallion, is bestowed upon alumni whose lives demonstrate the highest levels of achievement, civic and church leadership, and a character that exemplifies Not Self, But Others. This year, the medallion was awarded to George D. Yancey Sr. ’67. A former Ferrum football standout under Coach Hank Norton, Yancey went on to a distinguished four-decade career in banking, later co-founding The Bank of Louisa. His extensive service to community organizations, combined with nearly twenty years of guiding Ferrum College as a member of the Board of Trustees, reflects a lifetime devoted to excellence, generosity, and the betterment of others.
In addition to celebrating award recipients, the ceremony recognized donors whose philanthropy strengthens Ferrum’s programs and student opportunities. The College honored individuals who contributed $1,000 or more since July 1, 2024, as well as those whose lifetime giving totals $100,000 or more. This year’s event underscored the enduring power of the Ferrum community—alumni who achieve with purpose, donors who give with heart, and a shared commitment to ensuring that future generations of Panthers learn, grow, and thrive.
Award recipients were also recognized at halftime during the last home football game that afternoon, along with seniors and their families involved in the football program and band.
President Mirta M. Martin praised the honorees and donors for their deep commitment to the College. “Our alumni and donors are the heart of Ferrum College, and this gathering offers us a special moment to celebrate their remarkable contributions,” she said. “Through their service, leadership, and generosity, they shape the lives of our students and strengthen the legacy of our College.”
Pictured left to right are George D. Yancey, Sr. ’67, Beckham Medallion recipient; Sarah Q. Wagner ’94 and William Wagner ’94, Distinquished Alumni Award recipients; and Michele Wheeler Dixon, Jeff Jay Dixon, and Victoria Dixon, who accepted the Outstanding Young Alumni Award posthumously awarded to Alexandria M. Dixon ’19.
