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May 2011

In This Issue
· Blue Ridge Institute's Expansion
· Make a Difference by Giving
· Hart International Plaza
· Forum on Critical Thought
· Dr. Neal Naff, Executive in Residence
· Construction Projects in the News
· ABOD Leadership Change
· In Ferrum Sports
· In Ferrum Sports
· Pettus Scholarship Fund
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Building
 

Greetings!

 

What a tremendously successful spring semester we had at Ferrum! Nearly 200 seniors received their hard-earned diplomas on a glorious Saturday in early May as we celebrated commencement for the first time at the new Hart International Plaza, overlooking Adams Lake. Wherever you are in the world, our hope is that this newsletter will keep you up to date on the excitement on the Ferrum campus. From the groundbreaking for the new addition to the Blue Ridge Institute, featuring the oxen team of "Nip & Tuck" doing the ceremonial "honors" of busting the sod for expanded exhibit, classroom and archival space, to the array of outstanding plays on tap for the 32nd season of the Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre, the Ferrum spirit is boundless!

Graduation Events

2011 Commencement ceremonies were held on Saturday, May 7, at the new Hart International Plaza overlooking Adams Lake in the center of campus.  The 195 graduates and their families and friends enjoyed a picnic lunch on the lawn immediately afterward.   Read more �

Commencement Video
Commencement Highlights Video

The graduates were privileged to begin a new Ferrum tradition as they took part in an inaugural candlelight ceremony at the close of Baccalaureate services on Friday evening, May 6, 2011.  As they processed to Hart International Plaza for a brief time of reflection following the ceremony, their lighted candles symbolized the carrying forth of the flame of knowledge from Ferrum College to the rest of the world. View photos from the event �


Blue Ridge Institute and Museum Breaks Ground on New Building

Ferrum College's oxen, Nip and Tuck, assisted with groundbreaking for the $675,000 Blue Ridge Institute expansion project. Below are video highlights: 

Video Highlights-Blue Ridge Institute Expansion
Blue Ridge Institute Expansion Project
Your Gift to Ferrum College Will 
Make a Difference
 
Make a Gift to the Ferrum Fund

As we approach the end of our fiscal year, we hope we can count on you to support Ferrum College by making a gift to the Ferrum Fund today! You help to underwrite the cost of high quality academic programs and increased amounts of funds available for financial aid. Read more � 

Support the Ferrum Fund 

Help Students Complete Their Education

Naming Opportunities Still Available for Hart International Plaza and Hank Norton Center

Numerous building projects at Ferrum College, signifying the institution's continuing growth and momentum, are underway this spring under the FerrumForward! umbrella. To support the Hart International Plaza, the Hank Norton Center, and to learn about other giving options, visit us on the web �

Hart International Plaza Dedication
Video of Hart International Plaza Dedication
Video of Hart International Plaza Dedication

Ferrum College dedicated the newest addition to campus, Hart International Plaza, named after Joseph T. Hart, Ferrum's eighth president, during a luncheon for Dr. Hart and invited guests on Friday, May 6. The elliptical-shaped space, funded by donations from faculty, staff, friends, corporations and foundations, is located on Wiley Drive, between Garber Hall and Stanley Library. Read more � 

 

To support the Hart International Plaza visit us on the web � 

Ferrum College Takes Step Forward with Forum on Critical Thought

Podium at the Forum
View Event Photos

The Ferrum College Forum on Critical Thinking, Innovation & Leadership was held on Thursday, April 7, 2011 from 7:30 - 11:00 a.m. at The Hotel Roanoke &Conference Center. Select students and faculty participated in this forum, the purpose of which was to exchange and cultivate ideas on issues such as new technology, financial innovation, and environmental concerns. Read more �

Executive in Residence Neal Naff
Executive in Residence Dr. Neal Naff

Dr. Neal Naff, Executive in Residence, Visited Ferrum College in March 

Neurosurgeon Neal Naff returned to his native Franklin County on March 29 and 30 to serve as an executive in residence at Ferrum College. Read coverage in The Roanoke Times

Construction Projects in the News

Crews from Mod-U-Kraf of Rocky Mount have begun setting modular units into place for Dyer Residence Hall. Each unit was hand built to local building codes inside Mod-U-Kraf's Rocky Mount facility. The units were then trucked to Ferrum College where workers used a crane to set them into place. View WSLS Channel News 10's coverage of the dorm's construction:  

Dyer Hall News Coverage
View Dyer Hall News Story

 

The Hank Norton Center is moving ahead.  As of late May workers were completing the building's roof.  Click on the image below to see the most recent photos. 

Norton Center Construction
The Building Progresses

Read The Roanoke Times' coverage of Ferrum College's growth � 

Cobbs Becomes New Alumni Board
of Directors President
Joyce Bernice Cobbs '98 is the upcoming president for ABOD-taking over for Joel Wilson '81, who has served three years as president. Cobbs, a magna cum laude graduate from Ferrum College in 1998, earned a bachelor's degree with endorsements in Math and English. Prior to Ferrum, she graduated magna cum laude from Virginia Western Community College.   After Ferrum, Bernice received a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction the University of Virginia and a Masters of Science in Educational Leadership from Radford University.  She holds a Certificate from Virginia Tech's Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement for completion of its Virginia School Leaders Institute.  She also holds a Certificate from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education for completion of its 2010 Leadership: An Evolving Vision Institute.   In 2008 Cobbs received Ferrum's Distinguished Alumni Award.  Bernice has held numerous leadership positions within the Franklin County School system and is currently a sixth grade administrator at Benjamin Franklin Middle School.
ADOB Headshots
Cobbs '89 (left) Takes Over for Wilson '81 as ABOD President

In Ferrum College Sports

Sportsmanship Award
Three Ferrum College spring sports teams have earned USA South Sportsmanship titles for the 2010-11 school year, giving the Panthers five for the year and wrapping up the College's first-ever USA South Sportsmanship Trophy. Ferrum's baseball, women's lacrosse and men's tennis teams earned the honor. Read more �

Derek Mitchell Named First Team All-America
Ferrum College senior forward Derek Mitchell has been named to the National Basketball Coaches Association' (NABC) All-America First Team.

Mitchell led Ferrum to a stellar 23-5 record this season, a new school record for single season wins.  The Panthers also set a new school record with an 11-game winning streak to open the season. Read more   

Click here to see Derek Mitchell's Hilight reel. 


Lindsay DeLaRosby
Lindsay DeLaRosby
New Women's Swim Coach Named
Abe Naff, Ferrum College Director of Athletics, announced March 1 that Lindsay DeLaRosby has been named head coach of the new Ferrum College women's swim team, which will compete in its inaugural season during the 2011-12 school year. Read more �

Kudos to the Kitchen

Dining Services wins national recognition

Chef Bo
Chef Bo

The National Association of College and University Food Services recently recognized Ferrum College as being among the best in the nation. Ferrum Received Bronze Medals for Residential Dining -- Special Event and Catering Special Event. Congratulations to the hard working staff in Dining Services who competed with the nation's top colleges and universities for this honor. View the winners �


Alumni Established Scholarship in Memory of Classmate

The Will "Frog" Pettus Agriculture Scholarship was established this past April by the Ferrum College Ag Alumni Association. The announcement of the scholarship fundraising effort was presented to the Pettus family by Joey Cornwell '02, President of the Association, during the annual Ag Banquet at the Titmus Barn.

 

The goal is to raise $25,000 to endow the fund within the next few years. To date, we have raised $7,683. When the scholarship is completed, recipients of the financial aid generated will be Ferrum students who are studying Life Science or Agriculture. If you are interested in making a gift to the scholarship, please contact the Ferrum College Office of Institutional Advancement at 540.365.4211 or go to www.ferrum.edu/givetoferrum.


Give to the Agricultural Scholarship
Give to the Will "Frog" Pettus Scholarship Today!

Our faculty and teachers are featured in national publications, our students are winning honors and awards in competitions, and our food services staff has been awarded three bronze medals from the National Association of College and University Food Services. Dyer Hall, our newest residence hall, is under construction and will be ready for fall 2011 occupancy, and it is simply amazing to watch the steady progress each week on the Hank Norton Center!  

 

We'll be updating this newsletter throughout the summer, so stay tuned, enjoy the long days and warmer weather, and when you can take a break, come back to the mountains and experience firsthand all the Ferrum happenings!


Sincerely,
    
Jennifer L. Braaten

President