FERRUM, VA (April 8, 2025) – On Wednesday, April 9, Ferrum College will present “Plant Species of Italy” for this week’s Inquiring Minds program. Dr. Eric Vanden Eykel, interim Dean of Faculty, will introduce sophomore Richard Marshall, who will discuss his research during their trip to Italy in winter term last December.
The Inquiring Minds series offers lively, informal presentations and activities on various interesting topics for the entire community. Stanley Library at Ferrum College presents the series on most Wednesdays during the academic year, in the LEaP Studio on the library’s main floor during the campus’s community hour from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Vanden Eykel, who is also associate professor and program coordinator of Religious Studies, said that Marshall created “a cool presentation” that exceeded the normal class requirements. It explores Italy’s lush and varied landscapes—home to an incredible diversity of plant species, from the iconic stone pines of Ostia Antica to the resilient olives of Rome and the vibrant bougainvillea of Colle Oppio. Marshall will present a botanical journey through Italy’s historical sites, uncovering the fascinating stories behind these plants and their cultural significance. The country’s flora, both native and introduced, intertwines with Italy’s rich heritage, shaping both its natural environment and its storied past.
Students earned credit for either religion or history through experiential learning in Italy with Vanden Eykel and Dr. Nicole Greer Golda, associate professor of history and division chair of the Humanities and Performing Arts Division. Click here to learn more about study abroad opportunities at Ferrum College. Or contact Dr. Brian Suttell, director of the Richard L. Smith Center for International Programs, bsuttell@ferrum.edu.
