Dear Panther Family,
Welcome back from fall break! Can you believe that half the semester is already behind us? These past weeks have been filled with milestones, new beginnings, and proud moments that remind us of who we are as a College community. Each of you– faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends– has played a role in writing this new chapter of Ferrum College’s story.
This is a season of momentum, but also one of focus and purpose. As we celebrate our progress, we must also acknowledge the challenges that remain before us. We are still working diligently to yield next year’s class, and we need everyone’s help to retain the students we already have. Every student counts. Every student deserves an opportunity to excel. We must keep them here, engaged, and thriving. And, as we continue our journey toward a balanced budget, cost containment remains a daily discipline. Together, we can and will meet these challenges head-on, with the same courage and determination that have defined Ferrum College for over a century.
Together, we are not just meeting the moment; we are shaping it. This is Ferrum Rising.
Our faculty and staff are the heart of Ferrum College. The accomplishments listed here only scratch the surface of the extraordinary work you do each day– guiding, mentoring, and inspiring students in ways both seen and unseen. Because of your passion and dedication, Ferrum College remains a place where curiosity is nurtured, potential is unlocked, and lives are transformed. Thank you for pouring so much of yourselves into this calling.
A reminder that Homecoming Weekend is right around the corner– October 10-12! You are ALL invited to join in the festivities and tailgate with colleagues at the Ferrum Faculty and Staff Tent on Saturday, October 11, starting at 10:00 a.m. on the Bassett Hall Field near Tailgate Alley. Food will be provided at no cost as a small token of our sincere appreciation for all you do. We hope this will be a fun opportunity to connect, celebrate Ferrum College, and enjoy time with your colleagues, students, alumni, and the community during this very special weekend.
Homecoming 2025 promises to be a landmark celebration with anniversaries including the following:
At the core of Ferrum Rising is our commitment to academic excellence. This past month, our faculty and staff have continued to shape futures, strengthen programs, and open doors of opportunity for our students. For example:
Our Panthers are making history in their first semester of Division II competition. Every first goal, touchdown, serve, and race has marked a milestone in Ferrum College’s athletic journey. Already, 2 Panthers have earned Student-Athlete of the Week honors, showcasing their excellence on the field and in the classroom. They are:
Additional Athletic Division’s highlights:
In addition to these remarkable athletic achievements, our community’s generosity has been unprecedented. The Athletics Launch-A-Thon not only met but surpassed its $150,000 goal, raising over $180,000 to support our teams and student-athletes. This extraordinary outpouring of support ensures our Panthers have the resources they need to thrive, both in competition and in their academic pursuits.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who has joined us on this journey toward excellence!
Our Facilities, Grounds, and Housekeeping teams keep our campus not only beautifully maintained but also safe, functional, and inviting. They provide the foundation for all we do, while continually supporting updates to our campus infrastructure and ongoing improvements.
From freshly manicured lawns to clean, welcoming spaces and seamless day-to-day operations, their behind-the-scenes dedication makes it possible for our students, faculty, and staff to thrive. They are the quiet force behind Ferrum Rising.
Applications for Fall 2026 are already outpacing the last two years, reflecting the power of Ferrum College’s return to what makes us distinctive: high-touch, relationship-driven recruiting.
Compared to this time last year, we have seen a 22% increase in applications (284 vs. 234) and a 51% increase compared to two years ago (284 vs. 188). Admits are following the same trend, with 219 admits this year compared to only 7 at this time in 2025 and 154 in 2024.
| APPLICATIONS | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | ADMITS | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| First Time in College | 269 | 218 | 171 | First Time in College | 217 | 5 | 147 | |
| Transfer | 15 | 16 | 17 | Transfer | 2 | 2 | 7 | |
| Total Applications | 284 | 234 | 188 | Total Admits | 219 | 7 | 154 |
This momentum is fueled by our teams–including our coaches–returning to the fundamentals: attending college fairs, visiting high schools, personally calling students and parents, and following up consistently. This personalized approach is resonating with families and reminding them why Ferrum College is a special place for their students.
While this momentum is encouraging, our work is far from over. We need every faculty and staff member to be part of our recruitment and retention efforts–calling students, attending events, engaging families, and sharing what makes Ferrum College special. The College benefits from everyone’s involvement and every connection matters. Our Enrollment Management Office and its counselors will be grateful to hear from you and provide you the tools you may need to help attract students.
Our greatest growth will come when every member of our community takes personal pride in helping us bring students home to Ferrum College–and keep them here.
Ultimately, every gift, every connection, every referral fuels our shared mission. Our greatest strength comes from people–those who believe in Ferrum College and extend that belief by introducing others to our story. When you think of someone who might support a scholarship, sponsor a program, or invest in the future of Ferrum, please connect them with us. Your introductions open doors, strengthen relationships, and help ensure that Ferrum Rising continues to be more than a message–it becomes a movement sustained by the generosity of those who love this College.
October 1 marks the beginning of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and it’s a good reminder that we all play a critical role in protecting the integrity of our systems and data.
Just a quick reminder:
Phishing and social engineering attempts are becoming more convincing every day. A moment of caution can prevent a major security breach.
Thank you for helping safeguard our College’s systems and community!
Our Human Resources and Business Office teams may be small, but their impact is enormous. With long hours, unwavering dedication, and big hearts, they ensure that Ferrum College runs smoothly every day. From onboarding new Panthers with care and professionalism to managing our financial operations with precision, these teams ensure that every colleague feels welcomed and supported while our campus thrives and grows. Their tireless efforts form the backbone of our community, and we are incredibly grateful for all they do to support our colleagues, students, and the Ferrum family as a whole!
The weeks to come will bring:
We stand at the midway point of the semester – poised for even greater achievements, yet mindful of the work that remains. As we press forward, remember: this year is unlike any other. Together, we are building momentum fueled by hard work, resilience, and pride.
From record-setting enrollment and fundraising to transformative student experiences, from the vibrant scholarship of our faculty to our first Division II wins—Ferrum is rising. But we cannot rise alone. Each student we recruit, each student we retain, each dollar we steward wisely moves us one step closer to sustainability and strength.
And we rise because of you. Each member of our community contributes to the heartbeat of this College. Whether you teach in the classroom, support our students, maintain our campus, or cheer from afar—your role matters.
So, let us carry the spirit of Ferrum Rising into the second half of this semester. We are the Panther Nation—wherever we are. And, together, we rise.
Onward and Upward, with gratitude and pride,
M3
