The topics and projects in the class are primarily driven by what the current class is interested in studying, which makes it difficult for Hally to plan this course in advance. Early in the semester, students research a cause near and dear to their hearts and devise a presentation for their classmates. The class votes on the projects they feel will be the most impactful, accessible, and fun.
This year, the PSC 399 students voted to raise money on behalf of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, the Miracle League, and SARA Roanoke (Sexual Assault Response and Awareness). Although Hally would often coordinate the behind-the-scenes logistics of contacting these organizations, purchasing supplies, and room reservations, the students did all the heavy lifting by planning and running the events themselves.
A cup pong fundraiser and a three-point tournament were organized to benefit the Miracle League, an association that helps children with disabilities play baseball. A color run was organized to benefit the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. A Krispy Kreme donut sale on campus benefitted SARA Roanoke, and speaker Dina Hackley-Hunt spoke with students about sexual violence. The PSC 399 students raised over $800 total for the three organizations.
Hally noted the key to a successful service-learning project is that it has to be student-driven. He reflected that he has never had a class keep him busier, but he also has never been as proud of what they were able to accomplish. “People often view politics negatively because all they see is the partisan bickering taking place in Washington and on cable news outlets. But the main lesson I’ve tried to get across to my students this semester is that politics isn’t JUST about what happens within government – it’s also a political act to serve your community with love and grace. Individual acts of service, whether required for a class or not, are a more valuable political currency than what plays out in the halls of power. And I can’t think of a better example of “Not Self,But Others.”
To see additional pictures of the PSC 399 events, please click here.
Since the end of January, thirty-three Ferrum College accounting and business students have assisted with STEP’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program along with the College’s own VITA site. The VITA sites provide FREE online tax preparation assistance to families and individuals usually earning less than $57,000 annually. As trained and certified volunteers, the students are able to prepare most standard IRS documents (i.e. 1040) and submit returns electronically. They will also help their clients take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and more.
In addition, the VITA program will offer two self-service options that will allow taxpayers to prepare and file their own return online, while having access to the VITA volunteers who can answer questions throughout the process.
“Our students put in a tremendous amount of effort to learn the new tax laws and regulations to properly prepare tax returns for our clients,” says Sadie Wallace, assistant professor of accounting and VITA program director at Ferrum College, who notes that they have prepared more than 100 returns already this season. “This program would not be successful without the countless hours of commitment and dedication the students put in to help serve the Ferrum College community and the surrounding areas.”
To get started with the Ferrum College VITA program and have your taxes prepared and submitted by program volunteers, please visit https://bit.ly/Ferrum-College-VITA-Program or call (540)365-4259.
To participate in the self-service option to prepare and file your taxes yourself while having access to VITA volunteers who can answer your questions, visit TaxAct (for those who make less than $65,000 and are under the age of 56) here https://www.taxact.com/ffa/vita or Online Taxes (for those who make $73,000 or less) here https://www.olt.com/main/VITA/getstarted.asp.
The filing deadline to submit 2021 tax returns or an extension to file and pay tax owed is Monday, April 18, 2022, for most taxpayers. However, to take advantage of the VITA services, the deadline to submit documents for preparation is April 8, 2022.
Those taking advantage of this volunteer program should have all tax-related documents, including W-2s, photo identification, last year’s tax return, and social security cards for themselves and dependents.
10/6/2021
Ferrum College has announced the new Student Government Association (SGA) cabinet officers for the 2021-22 academic year. For the senior class, Andre Williams ’22 was named president and Damon Curry ’22 was named vice president. Kelsey Smith ’23 was named junior class president. She will serve alongside Jazmin Scarberry ’23 as vice president, Jess Bollinger as secretary, and Cameron Hawkins ’23 as treasurer. To enter the SGA election, students must run together as a cabinet and submit a petition for election showcasing 100 signatures.
“I’m looking forward to working with this group of students this year,” said Director of Student Activities Justin Muse ’05. “They’ve already hit the ground running and have been bouncing around great ideas to implement. We’re going to have an exceptional year!”
Meet the 2021-22 class officers below.
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Major: business administration
Why he loves Ferrum College: “The students and professors at Ferrum are some of the best I’ve ever known. I wanted to serve as senior class president to be their voice and to help Ferrum stay great.”
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Majors: business administration
Why he loves Ferrum College: “I love Ferrum because of the opportunities it’s given me to showcase my leadership skills. I’m fortunate to do a lot on campus and meet a lot of people. I look forward to working with you!”
Hometown: Gretna, VA
Major: sociology
Why she loves Ferrum College: “Ferrum College is a second home to me. I have made a lot of friendships that I know will be lifelong. I can be a voice for the junior class because of my love and devotion to better the place I call home.”
Hometown: Bluefield, VA
Majors: ecotourism and history
Why she loves Ferrum College: “I love Ferrum College because it makes me feel at home. It is such a tight knit community where everyone is so caring and welcoming. I enjoy being greeted everywhere with a smile and a wave. I believe the voices of the students are what makes a difference.”
Hometown: Bedford, VA
Majors: political science and history
Why she wants to serve as a class officer: “I am excited to help my classmates voices be heard. I’m also able to interact on campus in a new way.”
Hometown: Sparta, NC
Major: psychology
Why she wants to serve as a class officer: “I love how Ferrum College creates events and activities to do right here on campus. I wanted to make my own college experience great, and make others’ experiences better, as well. I also want to build and strengthen my leadership skills for my responsibilities in the future.”
9/10/2021
Demontay Wimbush ’21 at Schoolfield Hall.
Ferrum College senior and National Guard Member Demontay Wimbush ’21 is spending the final semester of his college career preparing to mobilize stateside in November. From there, in January 2022, he will deploy to Africa where he’ll be stationed for nine months.
“Luckily, all of my wonderful professors are working with me to finish early, before I deploy,” said Wimbush. He doesn’t yet know what his job duties will be in Africa.
On August 21, 2021, Wimbush married his high school sweetheart Kyra, who recently graduated from Averett University. The couple resides in Bassett, VA. As expected, Kyra isn’t looking forward to Wimbush’s deployment, but is supportive of his endeavors.
This isn’t Wimbush’s first experience with deployment. After the events at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, he was deployed to Washington, D.C. to help with security. “I stood in front of the Capitol building for twelve hours a day for a month,” explained Wimbush. He completed the beginning of the spring 2021 semester remotely while also fulfilling his guard duties.
As history major, Wimbush also worked as a McBroom Scholar at the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum (BRIM) over the summer. His job included giving tours of the farm museum while wearing wool interpreter’s clothing and working over a blacksmith’s fire in the summer heat.
“From the very first day, he fit right in with the staff and was incredibly enthusiastic about having this opportunity,” said BRIM Director Bethany Worley. “He was always looking for something new to learn, either in the museum or at the 1800’s farm.”
Associate Professor of History Tim Daniels, who is also Wimbush’s advisor, remembered taking a group of PAWS students to the farm museum in July, where he found Wimbush weeding the garden. “He hopped up and gave us an impromptu tour, immediately engaging the students by drawing them into what life would have been like at a farm inhabited by immigrants to his area,” explained Daniels. See Wimbush in action in these Flickr album photos submitted by Daniels.
As a McBroom Scholar, Wimbush learned blacksmithing techniques from local Franklin County resident Bill “Spook” Parcell, along with gardening and farming. He said that his experience at the BRIM’s farm allowed him to appreciate the preservation of Blue Ridge history.
Wimbush is also the first Ferrum College intern at the Booker T. Washington National Monument in Bedford County, VA. Daniels explained Wimbush’s duties: “There, he builds on what he honed at the BRIM, doing interpretation, manning the store, helping out in the garden and with animals, and developing educational materials that compliment the exhibitions and site.”
Researching and learning through history has always been Wimbush’s passion. “I enjoyed history during grade school,” he said. “My desire to seek the truth has allowed me to fall even more in love with my history major at Ferrum.”
Worley knows Wimbush is destined for great things, and said, “Demontay is just an extraordinary young man. His life experiences, combined with his education and his wonderful personality, set him apart from many people. I have no doubt that Demontay will make an impact in this world.”
9/1/2021
Senior Daniel Lamb applies painter’s tape prior to painting at Hillcrest Apartments. Photo by Coach Cleive Adams ’02.
Over the summer, the Ferrum College campus community continued to live out its motto, Not Self, But Others.
Just in time for students to arrive back on campus, two Ferrum College housekeepers voluntarily refreshed the Chapman Residence Hall parking lines. Also, under the direction of Head Football Coach Cleive Adams ’02, a group of students painted Hillcrest Apartments on campus after the units had been renovated.
Housekeepers Dot Crook and Cindy Hudson, who are responsible for cleaning Chapman Hall each day, wanted to make their building look as good as possible. They noticed that the parking lot lines needed repainting, so the pair used the change they had found while cleaning Chapman to purchase paint and supplies. Then they set to work hand painting lines and making sure the lot was as fresh as their building.
“They also trim bushes, weed plant beds, and more,” said Director of Physical Plant Brad Bishop. “Even though the Housekeeping staff is quite busy, they perform these jobs as they find a few minutes here and there throughout the year.”
Coach Adams’ group of students painted Hillcrest Apartments after contractors completed updates to the HVAC system, with lighting updates, new metal doors, and upgrades to bathrooms and the exterior buildings.
“My vision is to have 30 young men stay on campus each summer, working to help take care of our campus. Retention is the most important ingredient to sustain a program over time and the momentum of having young men excited about staying all summer can be contagious,” explained Adams. Regarding the work his players did, Adams said, “Once we finished a few units, we developed a game plan and took advantage of what certain guys did well, utilizing their strengths as we moved through each unit. We put a lot of paint on the walls up there!”
Bishop is also proud of his team. He said, “There are a lot of Physical Plant staff, as well as many across this campus, that go above and beyond the responsibilities that are defined in their job descriptions. In my opinion, they are the embodiment of Not Self, But Others.”
8/26/2021
Students and community volunteers work on Ferrum College’s campus. Photo courtesy of Dr. Bob Pohlad.
On the morning of Saturday, August 21, the Ferrum College campus quad held over 180 first-year students, employee volunteers, and members of Ferrum Forward, a local organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life and the sense of community throughout the village of Ferrum. The crowd was ready to launch a “Morning of Service.”
“This was the first of what we hope will become an annual tradition for new students,” said Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Psychology Kevin Reilly, who designed and orchestrated the event.
College employees volunteered to work with Ferrum Forward members to lead service projects aimed at beautifying the campus and benefiting local businesses. Students packaged two weeks of meals for Ferrum Elementary children in need. They began two murals in Ferrum, one at Hidden Treasures and one at Sun Kist Tanning and Salon. They sorted donated clothes at the St. James Center and cleaned grounds at the local elementary school. Students worked on the College’s Titmus Agricultural Farm; cleared the disc golf course, hiking trails, and Arboretum; and even painted panther paw prints on campus sidewalks.
Ferrum Forward chairman Don Vineyard shared that their organization was pleased to be involved – and that our Ferrum community can be proud of the event. He went on to say, “Saturday’s ‘Morning of Service’ was exactly the kind of event Ferrum Forward was created for. I think the involvement of so many of the folks who took part on Saturday shows just the beginning of what could be a great partnership.”
“This was a wonderful collaboration between Ferrum College volunteers, first year students, and Ferrum Forward,” said Reilly. “This project would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the members of Ferrum Forward.”
See photos from the “Morning of Service.”
Learn more about Ferrum Forward.
8/6/2021
I hope you are as excited as I am for a new year of connection, growth, and community. There are great opportunities for us in the months ahead, and I am eager to get underway.
As we navigate through this pandemic, it’s more important than ever that we work together to follow the guidelines I am sharing with you today. Many of these guidelines are familiar to us by now, and exercising them together with civility and grace will benefit us all as we continue to live with our new normal.
We are stronger together.
We are ready to welcome the entire Ferrum College family back to campus for the 2021-22 academic year — students, faculty, and staff. We’ll have some challenges along with our opportunities, to be sure, but as we have seen time and again, when we work together as one, we triumph as one.
Last year, our hard work and determination paid off. Together, we kept each other safe and healthy, and we upheld our motto: not self, but others. I am proud of how well we did last year, and while the world is making progress, we are not wholly through this pandemic. I wish we were, but we are not. Thus, we will need to continue caring for each other, so we can continue spending time together.
EFFECTIVE MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021
Vaccines
At this time, Ferrum College strongly encourages all members of our campus community to get vaccinated. We will host a vaccination clinic on campus soon, and urge all students, faculty, and staff (who are able) to get vaccinated. You can also find a vaccination location near you here. Vaccinations are available at no cost to you and they are our best defense in stopping the spread of this virus and getting back to normal.
Testing
If you aren’t feeling well, get tested for COVID-19 at a pharmacy or health care provider’s office. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please refrain from participating in campus activities and get tested. Find a testing location near you here. In the future, additional testing may be required.
Face Coverings
As COVID-19 variants are now impacting both vaccinated and unvaccinated people: all students, employees, and visitors must wear face coverings while indoors at this time – regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings are strongly recommended outdoors when social distancing is not feasible or realistic.
We will communicate adjustments regarding face coverings if they change; we are hopeful vaccinated students and employees will not need to wear face coverings in the near future.
Self-Monitoring
Continue to monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19. If you notice symptoms, find a testing site near you right away and get tested. Students contact the Office of Student Life and Engagement. Employees contact Human Resources.
Classes and Campus Life
Most classes at Ferrum have returned to in-person instruction with some protocols from our previous semesters remaining in effect for the Fall. Some classes will be offered online or in a hybrid format. Reasonable accommodations will be available for those who cannot attend in-person due to quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19.
Key protocols: Face coverings while indoors and continued practice of social distancing. Face coverings are strongly recommended outdoors when social distancing is not feasible or realistic.
The Dining Hall will be open for indoor dining and takeout options will be available. Dining Services employees and diners will need to follow College protocols regarding face coverings when not eating or drinking.
Events, Visitors, and Athletics
Everyone will be required to wear face coverings during indoor events. For outdoor events where social distancing is not possible, face coverings will be strongly encouraged.
Ferrum College welcomes prospective students and their families, alumni, friends of the college, and vendors to campus. Face coverings are mandatory for all visitors while indoors and are strongly recommended outdoors if social distancing is not possible.
All Ferrum Athletics teams will be competing as scheduled, and student-athletes and athletic staff will follow conference guidance. Currently, spectators are permitted to attend games and must follow Ferrum College’s visitor protocols.
Continued Monitoring
Ferrum College will continue to monitor and adjust protocols based on campus and regional COVID-19 activity, as well as recommendations from the CDC, local department of health, and the Governor’s Office.
I want to thank you all in advance for your help with these guidelines.
We all want to return to normal as quickly as possible, and we are nearly there — in person classes, athletics, campus events and activities; it is awesome to be back together! Let’s work together to squash this virus and maintain a campus environment that is safe and healthy for the entire Panther family. I strongly encourage all faculty, staff, and students to be vaccinated to help us avoid additional restrictions. We are always stronger together, and I am looking forward to a dynamic and rewarding academic year.
Sincerely,
David L. Johns, Ph.D.
President
Learn more about Ferrum College’s plans for fall semester 2021 by visiting www.ferrum.edu/stronger-together.
7/9/2021
Photo by Stephen “West” Nuttycombe, Jr. ’18
Ferrum College raised over $2.5 million this fiscal year (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021), surpassing last year’s total by more than $600,000. In addition to the increase in overall fundraising, the College is also celebrating an uptick in its Arthur Society members, its leadership giving society for individuals and businesses who contribute over $1,000 annually. Read more about Ferrum’s giving societies here.
For the second consecutive year, Ferrum experienced record-breaking fundraising for athletics by raising over $128,000. This comes on the heels of the recent announcement of the Black Hats football endowment that will provide ongoing support for the Ferrum College football program.
With over 1,000 donations (a 10 percent increase from last year’s giving), the Ferrum Fund raised more than $385,000 in unrestricted dollars, which will be used to develop new academic programs programs, support scholarships, provide student research opportunities, and more.
In addition to athletics and the Ferrum Fund, the College raised more than $500,000 for scholarships and over $560,000 (including the endowment) for the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum.
“Our College faced unusual and uncertain circumstances during the 2020-21 academic year,” said President David Johns. “This year’s success can be attributed to individuals who were encouraged by Ferrum’s response to COVID-19, our unwavering commitment to our students, and to our vision for the future. We are grateful for the support shown to our students and campus community.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, College officials were unable to visit constituents for most of the 2020-21 academic year. Ferrum was also forced to cancel Homecoming and other alumni events. To combat these challenges and keep constituents engaged, the College launched a series of mini-campaigns that began last August with a mask campaign in which supporters could make a contribution in exchange for receiving a Ferrum College face mask. The mini-campaigns also included the College’s Giving Day that raised over $100,000, the virtual sell out of Adams Stadium to support athletic teams, and culminated with the “It’s the People” campaign that encouraged folks to make a gift in honor or memory of an individual who played an important role in their own Ferrum journey.
“We appreciate the alumni and friends of Ferrum College who have increased their giving or gave for the first time during the pandemic,” said Ferrum College Board of Trustees Chair Scott Showalter ’73. “I encourage others to do the same to help future students realize their dreams.”
Make a gift and learn more about what your gift supports by visiting here.
6/9/2021
Wilkins earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Ferrum College in 2004 and went on to receive a Master of English from UNC-Greensboro. Now, she works as a lead claims representative at Genworth Financial Services in long-term care claims, which she described as “a really wordy way to say I handle escalations.”
But her real passion was ignited during a conversation with her cousin, who is a lawyer in the district attorney’s office in Chesterfield, VA. Her cousin said she would make a good victim’s advocate, so Wilkins began looking into volunteer programs. During a Get Downtown festival hosted by her hometown of Lynchburg, she explored a victim’s advocacy program through the YWCA and Lynchburg General Hospital, and discovered a true need that she knew she could fill. Now, Wilkins receives calls from the hospital to support sexual assault victims through the forensic nurse process. “[I] offer a distraction or a hand to hold, whatever it is they might need,” she said. “I love it so much.”
5/24/2021
EPD 202 students sit on the steps they built leading to the Dr. Carolyn Thomas memorial bench during the three week May 2021 E-Term. Dr. Bob Pohlad photo.
During a three-week Environmental Planning and Development (EPD-202) Experiential Term (E-Term), led by Professor of Environmental Science Delia Heck and Professor Emeritus of Biology and Horticulture Bob Pohlad, seventeen Ferrum College students built, repaired, and beautified three sites on campus. In the process, they donated almost $5,600 in labor to the College, and one recent graduate even landed a job thanks to his involvement.
Alumnus Stephen Murphy completed the EPD-202 E-Term just days after earning his Bachelor of Science in environmental science this May 2021. He was then offered a job as a maintenance technician with Bedford Regional Water Authority. “My work with the E-Term and my previous job experience were key contributors for me to get the job,” Murphy explained. “During the interview, I was able to point to many examples of working with my group, and the collaboration between all of the E-Term groups. BRWA was impressed with my experience and that Ferrum has such a hands-on program.”
“This class was an excellent opportunity for our students to participate in experiential learning at its best,” said Heck. “They were able to learn about concepts of sustainability, engage in the work of repairing, building, and creating garden and riparian spaces, and develop a sense of pride in their efforts, their project, and the campus.”
For the first four days of the E-Term, the students assessed the sites: the memorial bench honoring Pohlad’s wife, the late Professor Emerita of Biology and Environmental Science Carolyn Thomas, and the riparian buffer zone and garden, all at Adams Lake; the conifer garden and the Jess Goode memorial garden, both in the campus community arboretum area; and the pond and stream feature, and wedding gazebo and garden, also in the arboretum area. Students thought about lighting and electricity aspects, hardscapes, soil types, and plant design.
The rest of the E-Term was spent in approximately 200 hours of field work. After the work was complete, the students presented to the community their processes, before and after photos, maintenance plans, next steps, and donation opportunities on Friday, May 21, 2021 in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room. A tour of the sites followed.
“After all these years of teaching, it still amazes me how well the students respond to the opportunities of experiential learning,” said Pohlad. “I saw the same enthusiasm and pride in their work this year as I saw over the last twenty. By doing these types of projects, each student leaves a legacy for future students to learn from and a place to honor the memories of those who have been an important part of our Ferrum community family. Their efforts and comments on work around Carolyn’s bench were especially touching to me.”
“This E-Term was lots of fun, lots of hard work, sweat and tears, but overall it was rewarding. We took a project that had been going on for over twenty years, worked on by many Ferrum students, faculty, and staff, and now we get to add our names to that legacy,” said rising senior Lauren Ries. “We walked into E-Term not knowing much about the projects but we walked away knowing more about landscaping, hard work, and ourselves. And we have tons of good memories. Hard work does pay off!”
“The students discovered and recovered hidden treasures, while creating their own,” said Heck. “They built memories, skills and connections that will last a lifetime.”
See photos from the EPD 202 E-Term here.
Learn more about Ferrum College E-Terms here.
Read the Roanoke Times’ coverage of the students’ presentation on May 21.
5/12/2021
A few of the virtual ENG 461: Professional Writing students were able to pose for a photo. From left to right: Chelsea Zizzi, Ashley Dalton, Dr. Allison Harl, Bella Bettilyon, and Shela Muriel.
Last semester, ENG 461: Professional Writing students collaborated with the Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center (SVCAC) to write two professional reports, which could be used to acquire and retain grant funding for the non-profit agency.
“Collaborations like these benefit both the College and local non-profit organizations in a win, win relationship,” said Associate Professor of English Allison Harl, who led the professional writing course which was held virtually during the spring semester.
One group of students surveyed local constituents’ perception of the SVCAC’s ability to meet the community’s needs in four categories: diversity (defined in the study as “the mixture of people within the community and offices), equity (“being impartial to all who are involved”), inclusion (“equality of obtaining services and practices that are needed”), and justice (“fairness within the programs for all communities”).
After several weeks of research and the completion of the surveys, the first group found that SVCAC demonstrates strong diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. The only recommendation the students made was that the agency find out more about those beyond the Hispanic population that speak English as a second language.
“Of course it’s not an easy thing to write about child abuse and the process alongside it, but this research has made me feel better about these situations because overall it was a good outcome with the SVCAC and their standing with the community,” said Ferrum junior Chelsea Zizzi ’22.
The other group collected data involving the social implications, particularly on children, of two casinos being built in the region, in Danville and Bristol. The students focused on the potential increase in violence, drugs, child trafficking, and other effects on children’s safety and wellbeing. This group found that violence and crime, including theft, illegal drug distribution, and child trafficking, typically increases in areas where casinos are built.
“The Southern VA Child Advocacy Center provided an experiential community partnership opportunity for the Ferrum College Professional Writing students to practice their skills beyond the classroom,” said Harl.
Learn more about SVCAC here.
4/22/2021
Assistant Professor of Nursing Lisa Pendleton (center) stands with nursing students Casey Raggett ’22 (left in photo) and Jennia Candy ’22 (right).
On Tuesday, April 20, 2021, Ferrum College Nursing Program students dressed in their scrubs to assist in vaccinating the campus community against COVID-19.
The College partnered with the Virginia Department of Health, Carilion, Franklin County Public Safety, and the Ferrum Nursing Department to host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in the Fitness Center on campus.
The clinic, which was free and open to campus members and members of the community who had previously registered, distributed ninety-five doses of the Moderna vaccine in three hours, from 12 – 3 p.m.
“We are thrilled to be able to assist our campus community members in protecting their health, as well as the health of others around them,” said Dean of Students and Pandemic Coordinator Nicole Lenez. “After a very dark year, there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
See photos from the clinic here.
Learn more about Ferrum College Nursing here.
