Ferrum, VA, August 27, 2025 — Ferrum College’s Science Seminar Series will present “Phoebe Needles Center—A Land of Opportunity” on Friday, August 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Garber Hall 106. The program, featuring Inge Terrill, executive director of Phoebe Needles Center, is free and open to both the public and the campus community.
Terrill, who has a background in biology and environmental science and more than twenty years of experience in education, previously served as an adjunct instructor at Ferrum College. Passionate about connecting people with the natural world, she helped establish the Blue Ridge Environmental Educators (BREE), a regional team of the Virginia Association for Environmental Education, and served on its board for five years. Among her favorite activities to lead with groups are Earthing and Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing).
In her presentation, Terrill will spotlight the unique opportunities at Phoebe Needles Center, a 78-acre camp and conference center in Callaway—just six miles from Ferrum College. Founded in 1901 as a mission school and church, Phoebe Needles has grown into a hub of service, education, and community engagement. Today, it provides fertile ground for collaboration, research, summer jobs, volunteering, and more—making it a natural partner for Ferrum College students and faculty.
Recognizing the significance of this partnership for Ferrum College and the surrounding community, Ferrum College President Mirta Martin said, “Phoebe Needles is more than a neighbor—it’s a living classroom where our students can learn, serve, and grow. Collaborations like this strengthen both Ferrum College and the broader community, creating opportunities that go far beyond the classroom.”
Highlighting this connection in action, Professor Emeritus Bob Pohlad, president of the Phoebe Needles Board of Directors, and Professor of English Tina Hanlon have documented Phoebe Needles summer campers participating in community service at Ferrum College alongside their counselors, including two Ferrum students. Click here to view their photos.
Photo credit: Phoebe Needles Center in Callaway, VA by Dr. Bob Pohlad
September 5: Jason Worley and Todd Fredericksen – Wildlife on Campus
September 12: Smith Mountain Lake Water Quality Team
September 19: Dylan Irb ’24 – Wetland Delineation and Environmental Consulting. (Irb works for Dewberry Consulting in Danville.)
