As we begin 2026, I wish to sincerely thank each member of our campus community for your unwavering commitment, flexibility, and dedication. Despite adverse weather conditions, you have continued to pivot seamlessly, support one another, and provide our students with the excellent academic and personal care that defines Ferrum College. Your collective efforts ensure that our students feel supported, engaged, and inspired, even during challenging circumstances. It is your teamwork, resilience, and heart for our students that make our community thrive.
Ferrum College is at a pivotal moment in its institutional recovery and growth. Across culture, enrollment, finances, fundraising, student success, alumni engagement, and accreditation, the College is demonstrating measurable momentum while remaining candid about the work ahead. The initiatives summarized below reflect a coordinated, data-informed strategy designed to stabilize the institution, strengthen the student experience, and position Ferrum College for long-term sustainability.
To advance the goal of improving campus culture, during the fall of 2025, Ferrum College engaged AccessU to conduct a comprehensive, externally administered climate survey of faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The survey is carefully designed to ensure clarity, relevance, and anonymity, encouraging honest feedback. The survey invitation and link were sent earlier this week. This is legitimate and authorized by the Board of Trustees. We encourage you to take a minute to complete the survey.
The College’s financial position continues to improve. As of December 31, approximately 56% of budgeted revenues had been realized, while only 47% of expenses had been incurred, representing an encouraging reversal from the prior year. Budget development for FY26–27 will continue to follow a zero-based approach, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
Retention remains central to financial stability: for every ten additional students retained, the institutional deficit is reduced by approximately 24%. Achieving a goal of 510 returning students and 401 new students for Fall 2026 is ambitious but attainable, given current trends and coordinated institutional effort.
Enrollment Trends
Retention Performance
Nationally, fall-to-fall retention rates – particularly at small private institutions – typically trail fall-to-spring retention. According to the most recent National Student Clearinghouse Research Center report and to other national data sources (such as IPEDS trend tables) retention rates have remained in the mid-60% range in recent years, reflecting continued enrollment volatility and financial pressures on students and families.
Within that context, Ferrum College’s fall-to-fall retention increased to 67% for full-time students and 66% overall, up from 64% in the prior year. This improvement places the College at or slightly above national norms and signals positive year-over-year momentum.
Our strategic focus is to translate strong fall-to-spring persistence (86-87%) into higher fall-to-fall retention, by extending academic, financial, and engagement supports through the summer and into the following academic year. In short, our goal is to convert strong fall-to-spring persistence into sustained year-over-year retention.
Admissions, Financial Aid, and Registrar operations have been realigned to improve coordination, accelerate decision-making, and enhance the student onboarding experience.
Ferrum College continues to see strong momentum in its recruitment efforts for Fall 2026. Early indicators reflect growth across all stages of the admissions funnel, demonstrating both increased interest from prospective students and improved conversion through the admit and deposit process.
The data below highlight year-over-year gains, underscoring the effectiveness of our coordinated recruitment strategies and the growing appeal of a Ferrum College education.
Despite the positive momentum, I wish to remind everyone that recruitment and yielding a class are a journey, and until our incoming class is finalized in August 2026, our work is not done.
I ask everyone to please continue sharing the story of Ferrum College, inviting neighbors and friends to visit campus, and providing a warm welcome to all prospective students and guests. Our Enrollment Management division welcomes your help. Just stop by or send them an email—we need your help, please!
Fall 2026
Total Applications: 1441
· Up 80 (6%) from 2025
· Up 95 (7%) from 2024
Total Admits: 1244
· Up 257 (26%) from 2025
· Up 43 (4%) from 2024
Total Deposits: 59
· Up 7 (13%) from 2025
· Up 18 (44%) from 2024
Fundraising performance continues to exceed expectations.
The College is preparing for a $25-30M comprehensive fundraising initiative, prioritizing:
Under the leadership of our interim provost, Dr. Richard Grant, Ferrum College is implementing a coordinated, best-practice-based retention strategy grounded in early intervention, academic support, financial stability, and institutional accountability.
Key Initiatives
Strategic Retention Priorities
A sincere thank you to the Athletic Department and all those involved for a very successful trial run with our NCAA consultants today in preparation for the upcoming February 12–13 visit. During this critical visit, please join me in making our NCAA guests feel at home and showcase the warmth, pride, and Panther spirit that define our campus community.
A heartfelt congratulations to our student-athletes and our coaches. Men’s and Women’s Basketball achieved four conference double-header sweeps against Mount Olive, Erskine, Converse, and Emmanuel, reinforcing our ability to compete.
We celebrate 35 Academic All-Conference honors this fall: Football – 17, Men’s Soccer – 8, Women’s Soccer – 10, Volleyball – 2. Individual accolades include:
Please take a moment to congratulate these outstanding student-athletes when you see them on campus. They have truly set a high standard for excellence, on and off the field!
Alumni engagement continues to strengthen both fundraising and institutional visibility. In 2025, over 1,100 participants attended 40+ alumni and donor events. Strategic initiatives include:
2026 IA Strategic Focus
Ferrum College remains in good standing with SACSCOC and is on track for a successful Fifth-Year Review. Academic program review continues under the leadership of Dr. Jason Powell, who has transitioned into the role of AVP for Institutional Effectiveness and Institutional Research, ably supported by Jason Byrd.
Accreditation is central to the College’s mission and future, and this realignment of skills, expertise, and on-site presence strengthens our ability to enhance data reporting, respond effectively to internal data needs, and ensure transparent, reliable information across the institution.
Program-specific accreditations in Nursing and Social Work have been reaffirmed, and workforce-aligned programs have been launched to meet local industry needs. Institutional Research supports ongoing program evaluation, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.
This past month, we lost two extraordinary members of the Ferrum College family whose lives embodied the very heart of this institution. Mr. Jud Mason was a devoted alumnus, a faithful member of the Board of Trustees, and a lifelong champion of Ferrum College who served this nation proudly as an officer in the Marine Corp. He loved this College deeply and gave of his time, wisdom, and resources with humility and quiet conviction. Mr. Mason believed profoundly in the mission of Ferrum College and in the promise of our students. His steady counsel, generous spirit, and unwavering commitment to the College will be felt for generations to come.
We also mourn the passing of Pastor Michael Little, a man of deep faith, integrity, and compassion who served Ferrum College with a shepherd’s heart. As Chaplain, Pastor Little was present wherever students were—from athletic contests and campus celebrations to revivals, memorials, and moments of personal struggle—always offering encouragement, prayer, and a steady hand. He led with grace, listened with intention, and served with love, leaving an indelible imprint on the lives of our students and the wider Panther community. A memorial service will be held in Vaughn Chapel. Information will follow as it becomes available.
In different but equally powerful ways, both Mr. Mason and Pastor Little truly exemplified Not Self, But Others. Their lives of service, generosity, and faith stand as enduring models of what it means to be a Panther. They will forever remain a part of Ferrum College, Forever Panthers.
As you begin your journeys back home to Ferrum College, please remain attentive to your local weather and travel conditions and continue to monitor the College website and official communications for the most up-to-date information. Weather conditions may differ depending on your location at the time of travel, and your safety remains our highest priority. Use your best judgment about when to travel, take necessary precautions, allow yourself extra time, and drive with care. I can’t wait to welcome all of you back home and seeing our campus come alive once again!
Taken together, Ferrum College is stabilizing, strengthening, and moving forward with clarity and purpose. Retention, enrollment growth, financial stability, alumni engagement, and academic quality are all on positive trajectories, though challenges remain. The College is committed to disciplined stewardship, strategic leadership, and a shared focus on student success and long-term sustainability.
As we reflect on the progress of the past months, let us remember that together, we can help our students shine and succeed. Every faculty member, staff member, and administrator plays a vital role in guiding them toward their dreams.
We are #OnePantherFamily and we are #FerrumRising.
By working together with purpose, creativity, and care, we will continue to advance our mission.
Our students’ success depends on all of us. Onward and upward!
With gratitude,
M3
