When winter weather approaches, staying informed is essential. This page includes official winter weather email communications providing timely updates, campus status information, and weather-related advisories for the entire Panther community. Our highest priority is the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff, and all decisions are guided by that commitment.
As conditions change, this page will provide clear, reliable information to help you plan ahead, stay safe, and remain connected to campus operations. Weather-related alerts will also be posted on the Ferrum College Facebook page and through the RAVE Mobile Safety notification system.
Email communications appear in the order of newest information first.
Good morning Panther Nation. Welcome Home!
Over the past two weeks, our campus has faced challenging and unpredictable conditions. Yet, because of you, Ferrum College remained operational, safe, and centered on the well-being of our students and one another.
This morning, I wish to offer my deepest and most heartfelt thanks to all who came forward to help clear the campus, respond to urgent and emerging needs, keep our students engaged and supported, and keep our community informed. We are open face-to-face today because of you. THANK YOU!
My sincere gratitude goes to the members of our Physical Plant team who were able to make it in under extraordinarily difficult conditions. John Martin and colleagues across facilities, grounds, and housekeeping worked long hours to address broken and frozen pipes, remove ice in hazardous conditions, and respond to urgent maintenance needs across campus. Their steady, professional response was essential to stabilizing and keeping campus operations.
I also wish to offer special recognition to Levi Briggs from Dining Services, whose actions were truly remarkable. Levi brought and operated his own equipment to assist with snow removal and clearing walkways – going well beyond his role – to serve the broader campus community. His willingness to step in when help was most needed exemplifies the very best of Ferrum College.
To our Dining Services team: thank you for showing up through snow, sleet, and ice to provide warm meals and comfort to our students. Your presence, your smiles, your kind words (and yes, the wonderful warm food) during these challenging days mattered more than you may realize.
I also extend my sincere gratitude to our faculty for finding creative and flexible ways to keep our students engaged and learning during this challenging time. Your commitment ensured that students remained focused, supported, and continued to benefit from the exceptional education that defines Ferrum College.
I want to recognize our Residential Life team, including RAs and professional staff, and our Police Department for their dedication in keeping our students safe, supported, and cared for in the residence halls and across campus and throughout this snow event.
A special thanks to Coach Adams, who braved icy roads to come to campus and personally organized more than 20 student volunteers help remove snow, ice, and keep our campus safe.
I am equally grateful to our Marketing and Communications team, who worked continuously and faithfully to share timely updates and keep our community informed. Chris Watters and Kristin Waters provided steady leadership and guidance to the rest of the staff, ensuring information was communicated quickly, clearly, and consistently. Their efforts helped keep our campus connected, informed, and prepared during a challenging time.
Thank you to our students – to those who remained on campus for showing respect, care, and support for one another, and to those who went home for looking out for friends and family. Thank you all for continuing your studies with dedication despite the challenges. I am grateful you are finally back home at Ferrum College.
And to all those across the College (often behind the scenes) who worked to keep Ferrum College operational: please know that your efforts made a real and lasting difference.
We are operating face-to-face today because of you. Thank you for modeling “Not Self, but Others.” In doing so, you showed one another what Ferrum College values look like in action.
We are – always and forever – #ONEPANTHERNATION! We are – always and forever – #FERRUMRISING!
Onward and Upward – with deep gratitude and appreciation,
M3
Good afternoon Panther Family,
It is truly wonderful to anticipate everyone’s return to campus after a week of remote operations. Thank you – sincerely – for your flexibility, patience, and care for one another as we navigated and continue to navigate a challenging stretch of weather together. Your ability to pivot and continue supporting our students and each other speaks volumes about who we are as a community.
As we return tomorrow, I want to be very clear and transparent: we are navigating conditions that are largely uncharted for us. Unlike anything I have seen since my arrival, our campus is currently covered with approximately six inches of snow and ice – and this is not expected to melt away in the foreseeable future. We must therefore learn how to live, work, and thrive together in what feels at times like an arctic tundra.
To support safety across campus, please keep the following in mind:
It is a gift to welcome you back to campus, and I am deeply grateful for the resilience, grace, and shared responsibility that define this community. Together, we will continue to support our students and one another – carefully, thoughtfully, and with compassion.
Stay safe, be well, and welcome back home!
We remain #ONEPANTHERFAMILY and #FERRUMRISING!
Onward and Upwards, with appreciation and care,
M3
Additional updates from Ferrum College will be shared through our social media channels and online at www.ferrum.edu/news/winter-weather-communications-center, including RAVE alerts as needed.
Good afternoon Panther Family,
I pray you are all doing well and staying safe (and yes, also warm).
Due to a new weather system currently impacting the Carolinas and Southwest Virginia, and out of an abundance of caution, Ferrum College will continue remote operations. Classes on Monday will also continue to be remote.
Face-to-face classes and normal campus operations will resume on Tuesday, provided conditions improve as expected.
As you plan to travel back to campus, please remain mindful of local weather and road conditions, stay alert, and prioritize your safety.
Essential personnel are expected to report to work, using their best judgment based on local conditions. Please communicate with your supervisor if weather or travel concerns prevent you from reporting to work.
The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. We will continue to monitor conditions closely and will share updates as needed. Please continue to check the College website, official communications, and social media for the most up-to-date information.
Thank you for your flexibility, care for one another, and continued commitment to our Panther family. Please stay safe and warm.
I can’t wait to see everyone back home on campus! You have all been missed!
God bless,
M3
Additional updates from Ferrum College will be shared through our social media channels and online at www.ferrum.edu/news/winter-weather-communications-center, including RAVE alerts as needed.
In-person classes and operations are scheduled to resume on Monday. Continue to watch for updates in the event that this might change.
As you begin your journey 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 vary by 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 see our campus come alive once again.
Additional updates from Ferrum College will be shared through our social media channels and online at www.ferrum.edu/news/winter-weather-communications-center, including RAVE alerts as needed.
Ferrum College leadership is closely monitoring winter weather forecasts. Please watch for additional communications regarding College operations, as conditions may require changes. Continue to monitor weather conditions in your local area.
Additional updates from Ferrum College will be shared through our social media channels and online at www.ferrum.edu/news/winter-weather-communications-center, including RAVE alerts as needed.
Dear Panther Family,
I hope this message finds you safe and warm. By the grace of God, we have been spared the worst of the winter storm so far, but out of an abundance of caution, Ferrum College will continue remote operations – including classes – for the remainder of this week.
All classes will be held remotely through Friday, January 30, 2026, and in-person classes will resume on Monday, February 2, 2026.
For our residential students who left campus prior to the storm, please plan to return on Sunday, February 1, 2026, or before your first class next week. If safety or travel concerns are an issue, please reach out to Dean Adams at jadams@ferrum.edu.
The athletic contests and events that were postponed this week, are being rescheduled. Our Basketball and Wrestling contests scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 2026, will take place as scheduled.
Students should check with your coaches for updated details regarding games and competitions, and watch for additional event-specific information as it becomes available.
For the remainder of this week:
For next week:
We are aware that another weather system may be developing, so please continue to monitor our website and official updates for the most current information.
We greatly appreciate your patience and attentiveness during this winter weather event. Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff remains our foremost priority.
As a strong and caring community, we will continue to look out for one another and navigate these challenging conditions together. Please stay safe, check in on those around you, and know that Ferrum College remains vigilant, prepared, and responsive.
I look forward to seeing our campus come alive again next week.
Remember… together, we are #ONEPANTHERFAMILY! Together, we are #FERRUMRISING!
God bless,
M3
Mirta M. Martin, Ph.D.
President
Ferrum College
Additional updates from Ferrum College will be shared through our social media channels and online at www.ferrum.edu/news/winter-weather-communications-center, including RAVE alerts as needed.
Ferrum College classes and operations are occurring remotely at least through Wednesday, January 28.
To those on campus, use extreme caution when moving around. Conditions are icy.
Efforts are ongoing to treat walkways, campus roads, and parking lots. Due to the below-freezing temperatures and limited staffing, the effort will be ongoing throughout the week.
Additional updates from Ferrum College will be shared through our social media channels and online at www.ferrum.edu/news/winter-weather-communications-center, including RAVE alerts as needed.
Ferrum College will operate remotely Monday, January 26, through Wednesday, January 28. All classes will be offered remotely, and faculty will communicate directly with their classes regarding instructional expectations and delivery modality.
All athletic contests scheduled for this week are postponed at least through Wednesday, January 28. Due to hazardous road conditions, there should be no travel to athletic facilities until further notice. Coaches will coordinate with the Athletics Director regarding updates.
The Office of the President, Campus Safety, Residence Life, Physical Plant, and Dining Services remain operational to support those who have chosen to remain on campus throughout this period
The dining hall will continue to operate on weekend hours each day, with meal services available from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Essential personnel should report to work as conditions allow. To support the safety of essential personnel during this weather event, work hours have been adjusted through at least Wednesday to 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Essential personnel should report as conditions allow. Please contact your supervisor if you have any questions or need clarification.
Safety remains our highest priority. Please MAKE YOUR OWN DECISION about whether to travel to work based on your location, current and forecasted weather conditions, and your personal circumstances. If you determine that it is not safe to report to work, please be sure to notify your supervisor of your decision.
Thank you for your care, professionalism, and commitment to one another during these challenging times.
Additional updates from Ferrum College will be shared through our social media channels and online at www.ferrum.edu/news/winter-weather-communications-center, including RAVE alerts as needed.
Good morning, Panther Nation. I pray you are all doing well.
Beginning Monday, January 26, classes will be offered remotely at least through Wednesday, January 28, to ensure continuity of learning. All students should follow directions provided by each of their professors.
During this time, Ferrum College faculty and staff will operate remotely. Essential personnel will be present on campus to ensure the safety and well being of those who remain. More information and instructions will follow from Human Resources.
For safety reasons, students who choose to return home are asked to notify their RAs prior to departing. Please also monitor weather conditions in your home area when making your travel plans.
For students who choose to remain on campus or are unable to travel home, please also inform your RAs. Please know that you will be safe and cared for. The College is fully prepared to support you during this weather event.
The Office of the President, Campus Safety, Residence Life, Physical Plant, and Dining Services will remain operational to ensure your well-being.
The dining hall will operate on weekend hours each day, with meal services available from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. You are not alone – Ferrum College is committed to providing a safe environment, access to food, and the support you need throughout this period.
All athletic contests scheduled for this weekend and next week have been postponed until at least Wednesday, January 28, 2026 – weather permitting. Students, please check with your Coaches who will be in touch with the Athletic Director, Coach Adams, for confirmation and updated details regarding games and competitions.
While we are hopeful that the impact of the storm on Ferrum College will be limited, this is a significant weather event. We are acting proactively to prioritize the safety of our students, faculty, and staff.
Please take all necessary precautions and remain safe. Additional updates for the Ferrum College area will be shared as needed through our social media channels. Weather-related alerts will also be posted on the Ferrum College website homepage, Facebook page, and through RAVE alerts. If you are not currently enrolled in the RAVE notification system, please watch for communication from Human Resources with instructions. Thank you.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation. Please know that the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. We are a caring and resilient community, and we will continue to support one another as we navigate the days ahead.
Stay safe, look out for one another, and know that Ferrum College will remain attentive, prepared, and responsive throughout this weather event.
Remember, we are – #ONEPANTHERFAMILY!
God bless,
M3
Mirta M. Martin, Ph.D.
President
Ferrum College
Announcements for Winter Storm Fern Began on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 11:34AM
