Many college students dream of writing a book someday—but most believe they need more experience, more confidence, or permission before they can begin. In this engaging and practical talk, bestselling author Jane Fenton challenges that assumption and reveals why now is the best time to start writing and sharing your work. Drawing from her real-world experience publishing multiple books and building an audience from the ground up, Fenton breaks down the core principles behind writing a book people actually want to read. Students will learn why it’s important to know your audience, how social media can be used to connect with your readers, and why imperfect, authentic content consistently outperforms polished perfection. This presentation reframes writing a book not as a distant dream, but as a powerful tool for confidence and career momentum—whether students plan to become authors, entrepreneurs, or professionals in any field. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to begin, practical steps they can take immediately, and the realization that waiting is often the biggest obstacle of all.
Inquiring Minds 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.
Jane Fenton is author of the Repo Girl series of novels about a young woman who repossesses cars for a living and keeps running across dead bodies. They have been called “fast-paced mysteries with lots of laughs and a little romance.” Jane is an avid reader of books that combine romance, mystery, and laughter because they’re as satisfying as a triple fudge sundae—without the calories. Although she shares her heroine’s love of Roanoke City, good friends, junk food, stray dogs, and Jeep Wranglers, she’s quite happy to create these fun misadventures from the comfort of her quiet farmhouse in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia where she lives with her family.
Ferrum College will host Agripalooza: Where Technology Meets Tradition on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in celebration of National Agriculture Day. Presented in partnership with the Virginia Small Business Development Center, Greater Roanoke & NRV, and Franklin County, Virginia, the in-person conference will bring together farmers, entrepreneurs, and community partners to explore innovation and opportunity in today’s agricultural economy. The Commonwealth’s Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Katie Frazier, will headline the program as the keynote speaker.
Registration for Agripalooza is $50 per person and includes access to all conference sessions, networking opportunities, light refreshments, and lunch. Additional event details and registration information are available at the Virginia SBDC website at roanokesmallbusiness.org/agripalooza.
An Open Mike Night for the campus and community will be held on Wednesday, March 11 in Franklin Hall at Ferrum College, beginning at 7 p.m. “Chrysalis Literary and Arts Magazine“ invites students, faculty, and staff to read original poems and short stories, sing, or present other talents.
“Chrysalis“ and other student groups host open mike coffee houses several times throughout the academic year. Anyone is welcome to attend and participate without signing up in advance. Free refreshments will be served.
The editor of “Chrysalis” is senior Mattie Green (shown reading from her work in the photo) and the faculty advisor is Professor of English Katherine Grimes. The Fall 2025 issue and other past issues of “Chrysalis” can be read online and the Spring 2026 issue will be revealed at the end of the semester. A limited number of free printed copies of the magazine are also available each semester.
“Chrysalis” is both a club and a practicum course for students who submit their own work and earn course credit for compiling, editing, and laying out the magazine each semester. They encourage students, faculty, and staff to submit original work early in each semester and to read from their work and discuss visual artwork at the coffee houses and end-of-semester reveal.
For the Open Mike event, go to the Panthers Den on the ground floor of Franklin Hall. Contact Dr. Katherine Grimes for additional information, at kgrimes@ferrum.edu.
Titmus Agricultural Center Plant Sale
Mark your calendars for April 18 & 19 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and April 25 & 26 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Join us at the Titmus Agricultural Center barn (370 Ferrum School Road, Ferrum, VA) for our annual plant sale. Our students are growing more varieties than in years past. Look forward to houseplants and tropicals, succulents, petunias, sunpatiens, geraniums, citronella, begonias, ferns, celosia, marigolds, coleus, polk-a-dot plants, perennial herbs, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, melons, and much much more. If you are needing plants for your yard or garden, you do not want to miss this!
Please bring boxes to carry your plants home.
Cash, checks, and cards will be accepted this year.
All proceeds support the Ferrum College Horticulture Program. Thank you for your support!
Go to the Facebook event page for photos of plants as they grow.
Celebrate 50 years of impact and community at the Ferrum College Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program’s 50th Anniversary Event and Alumni Gathering on March 13, 2026, in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room of Franklin Hall. The day begins with check-in and registration at 8:30 a.m., followed by ACES training from 9:00 to 11:45 a.m. Following lunch on your own, the afternoon program beginning at 1:00 p.m. will feature guest speakers, including Ira Colby, the founding father of the Ferrum College BSW Program, along with alumna Holly D’Heron ’09 and alumnus Ralph Branch III ’14, followed by a Phi Alpha Initiation Ceremony. The celebration continues with an alumni social and gathering at Jose’s Mexican Grill (Ferrum location) immediately after the event.
The Grand Ole Ferrum Opry returns in a pre-Christmas edition that will honor Bobby Radford. Performers will include Orchestra Appalachia, the Panther Singers, guests Remington and Christian Davis, and more.
Free and open to the public in Vaughn Chapel on the Ferrum College campus.
For more information, contact Emily Blankenship-Tucker, program coordinator for Music & Theatre at Ferrum College, ebtucker@ferrum.edu.
Ferrum College’s Scholarship Day is an exclusive, invite-only event for admitted students with strong academic achievement. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the Boone Honors Program, connect with faculty and current students, explore educational opportunities, and much more. For details, please get in touch with the Office of Admissions at admissions@ferrum.edu.
Discover what Ferrum College has to offer at our Black & Gold Open House! Explore campus on a guided tour, connect with faculty, staff, and students, and enjoy a meal in Franklin Hall. Plus, stick around for some Homecoming game day excitement as the Panthers take on Barton College at 2:00 PM in Adams Stadium!
Click here to register for our Black & Gold Open House.
We’re thrilled to invite you to Ferrum College for our Black & Gold Open House — a special event designed just for prospective students! Spend the day exploring campus, sitting in on a class, taking a guided tour, and learning what life at Ferrum is all about. You’ll even have the opportunity to apply and receive an admission decision on the spot. Plus, enjoy a complimentary lunch in our award-winning dining hall.
Click here to register for our Black & Gold Open House.
We’re excited to invite you to campus for our Open House, a special event for admitted and prospective students. This day is a great way to learn more about Ferrum College, apply on-site and receive an admission decision, attend a class and so much more!
Click here to register for our Open House.
