By Franklin Melton, sports editor, published in The Iron Blade on April 10, 2025
FERRUM, VA, July 15, 2025 — The sounds of hammers and nail guns rang through the air as a group of Ferrum College students recently helped the Friends of Ferrum Park in building a new storage shed.
Upon the arrival of the students, Ed Saunders was already at work with setting up tools and prepping to bang down some boards, so the students wasted no time in helping and achieving as much construction as possible.
“I was extremely impressed at how dedicated the students were to getting as much done as possible while they could. Overall, we were extremely impressed with the work ethic of the students,” said Saunders.
On top of the commitment to getting the shed up while the students were present, Saunders also saw value in their dedication to the community.
“We have all been extremely impressed at how passionate the students have been about improving their community,” he continued.
Trent Ray, senior and president of the EnviroClub, was the student responsible for rallying the troops to help. However, only one other member of the club was present to help build the bridge between park and club.
“It was a great opportunity for the EnviroClub to give back in a positive way. I’m glad to say that this is the start of a strong cooperation between the EnviroClub and Ferrum Park,” said Ray.
The other club member present was Cody Agnell, sophomore, who found joy in giving back to the people and place that has given so much to him.
“I enjoyed helping build something for the Ferrum community, who has given a home away from home to myself and lots of other students,” Agnell commented.
The third student helping was not a club member. Michael Oliver, senior, is Ray’s roommate who simply decided to come put in some work to help out.
“It felt good to be able to give back to the community in a positive way,” said Oliver.
This isn’t the first instance of students helping to pave the way for the park; there is also a new trail that connects from the college to the park, cleared by students.
“Honestly it was great to work with so many young people who valued working in their community. The students have already done so much to improve the Ferrum Farm and Craft Market with the shed and the trail between the college and the market,” said Saunders.
The shed that was built is also meant for more than most other sheds. Its destiny includes a new paint job and a porch that will serve many functions for the community.
“The shed will not only be for storage of park equipment, but also the porch on the front will serve as a small stage for some small concerts and storytelling events we have planned. In addition to the stage, the shed’s porch will serve as the location for a park mural as well,” finished Saunders.
Click here for student internships at Ferrum Park and other information.
About the Photographs
Middle photo at right by Franklin Melton: Michael Oliver, senior (on left), and Trent Ray, senior, hammer a board into place on Ferrum Park’s new shed.
Photographs at top and bottom of page courtesy of Ferrum Park. The finished shed is shown on a 2025 market day in the bottom photograph, with free children’s books, donated by community members, being distributed on the porch. Ferrum College Professor Emeritus David Johnson donated weathered lumber to finish the shed’s main structure.
