During Ferrum College’s 106th commencement ceremony held on April 23, 2022, numerous nontraditional students celebrated the receipt of their diploma including two long-time College employees: Joyce Creel ’22 and Margaret Drakeford ’22, both of Franklin County, received bachelor of science degrees in Business Administration and Liberal Studies, respectively.
Many people assume the typical college student is a young adult living on campus with financial assistance from their family or other support system and are surprised to learn how many graduates are “nontraditional.” Among the characteristics the National Center for Education Statistics uses to define nontraditional students are those who delay enrollment in post-secondary education and who work 35 hours or more per week while enrolled, qualities that apply to both Creel and Drakeford.
Creel, who has worked at Ferrum College for 16 years, pursued her degree for many of those years. Initially, she took a few “fun” courses like guitar and piano, but did not concentrate on a path geared toward a degree. Several years into her classes, she decided to make them count by choosing courses that would apply to any Business Administration concentration area, but she waited for years before she declared a major/degree. About her achievement, Creel stated, “This has been a lifelong dream of mine and I can’t believe it has happened!”’
Drakeford has worked at the College for 43 years. She started classes in 1981, took a long break, and then decided to complete the requirements for her degree. She noted graduation was an emotional moment for her because, “I accomplished something that I started [that] I feel anybody can do if they decide to go back and finish their college education. Education is everything and no one can take it away from you, ” Drakeford said.
Ferrum College celebrated its 106th commencement on Saturday, April 23, under sunny skies in W.B. Adams Stadium as 185 graduates from 15 different states received their diplomas. During the ceremony, faculty and students were presented with awards.
Assistant Professor of Accounting and Program Coordinator of Accounting and Business Sadie Wallace received the Exemplary Teaching Award, in recognition of her excellence and commitment to teaching, concern for student welfare in areas beyond academic studies, scholarship, and service to the College, her profession, and the greater community. In addition to her work at the College, Wallace, who is a Ferrum alumna and former student athlete, is a member of the Franklin and Bedford County Volunteer Fire Departments and helps coordinate the local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for STEP (Solutions That Empower People, Inc.).
Madison Cogle ’22 of Camden, WV, received the Senior Academic Excellence Award for earning a perfect 4.0 GPA during her time at the College.
Makayla Hubbard ’22 of Penhook, VA, received the Senior Academic Excellence Award for earning a perfect 4.0 GPA during her time at the College.
Brandon Mullins ’22 of Union Hall, VA, received the Senior Academic Excellence Award for earning a perfect 4.0 GPA during his time at the College.
Brooke Turner ’22 of Rocky Mount, VA, received the Senior Academic Excellence Award for earning a perfect 4.0 GPA during her time at the College.
Abigail McGovern ‘22, of Roundhill, VA, received the Arthur S. Owens Leadership Award, presented annually to the senior chosen by the faculty who best exemplifies the qualities of Arthur S. Owens: leadership, initiative, honor and outstanding character. Recipients of this award must also hold an excellent academic record, have participated in extracurricular activities, and shown creative initiative in making Ferrum College a better place to study, work, and live.
Jonathan Taylor ’22 from North Dinwiddie, VA, received the Lillie Warwick Slaven Award, which is given to a student who exemplifies the ideals of the ministerial profession and is recognized as an outstanding student leader at Ferrum College.
Demontay Wimbush ’22, of Bassett, VA, was awarded the James T. Catlin, Jr. Citizenship Award, named in honor of the late James T. Catlin, Jr. of Danville, VA, presented annually to the student who has best demonstrated qualities of citizenship and general leadership ability as judged by vote of the faculty. Wimbush is in the Army National Guard and currently on deployment in Djibouti.
A program that came to campus a few years ago is coming to fruition.
The “Ferrum Promise” allows students who receive an appropriate associate’s degree from a Virginia community college to transfer to Ferrum College and graduate with a bachelor’s degree in four semesters/two years if they complete the required courses and hit each benchmark.
Among the first students to go through the program was Claudia Cooke, who walked the commencement stage for a Bachelor of Social Work degree during this year’s graduation ceremony on Saturday, April 23, 2022.
Cooke received her associate’s in General Studies with a specialization in Human Services from Patrick Henry Community College in December of 2019. In August of 2020, Cooke enrolled and transferred to Ferrum College to major in Social Work. “I am very surprised to know that I was (one of the first ones) to go through this program,” Cooke said.
Throughout her time at Ferrum, Cooke participated in the Ferrum College Marching Band (color guard) her junior and senior year and was also part of the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success. Moreover, she was also inducted into the Social Work Honor Society (Tau Rho Ferrum Chapter) in April of 2021.
“I am excited that she’s among the first, but I hope that she is among the first of many,” said Jason Powell, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
The Ferrum Promise program is the brainchild of college President David Johns and previous Provost Aimé Sposato. The two introduced the program to campus in November of 2019.
“There are about a dozen (students) in agreements (with the Promise) right now,” Powell said.
If the student does not complete their bachelor’s degree in those two years after transferring, the rest of their tuition is free. The “Ferrum Promise” applies to students who are enrolled full-time and meet certain academic requirements.
The Ferrum Promise program was created to prevent students (nearly 40 percent) from spending extra years to receive a bachelor’s degree due to their credits from their community college not adequately transferring.
“This is not what they (transfers) expected, and it’s frustrating, time-consuming, and expensive,” said Eric Grundman, Ferrum College’s senior enrollment officer. Students at community colleges find out about the program mainly through their academic advisors.
To make this happen, Ferrum has partnered with two-year institutions to make education more affordable and accessible for students. “Our strongest partner in this is Virginia Western Community College,” Powell said.
The “Ferrum Promise” includes many majors offered by Ferrum College. Learn more here.
Article written and submitted by Lindsey M. Foster, editor of The Iron Blade.
Read Molly Hunter’s article about Claudia Cooke that appeared in The Franklin News-Post here.
Watch Joe Dashiell’s interview with Claudia Cooke that appeared on WDBJ-7 here.
Ferrum College celebrated its 106th commencement on Saturday, April 23, under sunny skies in W.B. Adams Stadium as 185 graduates from 15 different states received their diplomas. The commencement exercises included the presentation of student and faculty awards and a keynote address by journalist and bestselling author Beth Macy.
Dr. Kevin Reilly, vice president of Academic Affairs, opened the ceremony by welcoming all those gathered to celebrate the seniors’ achievements. Following the invocation given by Campus Minister Laura Robinson, President David Johns took the podium to welcome the crowd and remind the graduates that success comes from teamwork, hard work, determination, and the love and support of family and friends.
Johns then commended the graduates on their dedication and progress. He instructed them to use what they had learned, saying, “We are all given this one life; it is precious, a gift. I urge you to invest your life in healing the world. One of the hallmarks of a Ferrum College graduate is that we are committed to our motto – Not Self, But Others. Whatever your path—business, human services, education, health care, public service, the military, further study, agriculture, the arts, justice work—whatever it is, do the best work you possibly can, and through your work, make the world healthier, happier, more free and just, make it better.”
Following the president’s remarks, Ferrum College Board of Trustees Chair D. Scott Showalter ’73 and Alumni Association President B. Clay Wiley ’06 each gave their greetings on behalf of their respective boards. They were followed by the presentation of faculty and student awards.
Assistant Professor of Accounting and Program Coordinator of Accounting and Business Sadie Wallace received the Exemplary Teaching Award, in recognition of her excellence and commitment to teaching, concern for student welfare in areas beyond academic studies, scholarship, and service to the College, her profession, and the greater community. In addition to her work at the College, Wallace, who is a Ferrum alumna and former student athlete, is a member of the Franklin and Bedford County Volunteer Fire Departments and helps coordinate the local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for STEP (Solutions That Empower People, Inc.).
Madison Cogle ’22 of Camden, WV; Makayla Hubbard ’22 of Penhook, VA; Brandon Mullins ’22 of Union Hall, VA; and Brooke Turner ’22 of Rocky Mount, VA, each received Senior Academic Excellence Awards for earning a perfect 4.0 GPA during their time at the College.
Abigail McGovern ’22, of Roundhill, VA received the Arthur S. Owens Leadership Award, presented annually to the senior chosen by the faculty who best exemplifies the qualities of Arthur S. Owens: leadership, initiative, honor and outstanding character. Recipients of this award must also hold an excellent academic record, have participated in extracurricular activities, and shown creative initiative in making Ferrum College a better place to study, work, and live.
Jonathan Taylor ’22 from North Dinwiddie, VA, received the Lillie Warwick Slaven Award, which is given to a student who exemplifies the ideals of the ministerial profession and is recognized as an outstanding student leader at Ferrum College.
Demontay Wimbush ’22, of Bassett, VA, was awarded the James T. Catlin, Jr. Citizenship Award, named in honor of the late James T. Catlin, Jr. of Danville, VA, and presented annually to the student who has best demonstrated qualities of citizenship and general leadership ability as judged by vote of the faculty.
Following the awards presentations and her introduction of the keynote speaker, Beth Macy, Professor of English Lana Whited joined President Johns in presenting Macy with an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa.
After receiving her honorary degree, Macy addressed the graduates, telling them, “You’ve spent four years or so honing your own distinctive voices. You entered this university with promise, and you’re leaving now with purpose. It’s time for the world to hear you.”
Next, Student Government Association President Mikayla Floyd ’22, of Chesapeake, VA, introduced Senior Class President Andre Williams ’22 of Virginia Beach, VA, who presented the senior class gift to Dr. Johns, and then introduced Kajuan Madden-McAfee ’22 of Harrisonburg, VA, as senior class speaker.
Madden-McAfee congratulated the class of 2022 and thanked them for the honor of being asked to speak. He spoke about their shared experiences at the College and told a biblical parable about a young boy and his boat that has inspired and guided his life.
Next, Johns and Reilly conferred and awarded the graduate and undergraduate degrees. The ceremony closed with the singing of the College’s “Alma Mater.”
A celebratory picnic lunch followed on Franklin Hall quad for all in attendance. The weekend events also included a traditional Baccalaureate service on Friday evening in Vaughn Chapel.
See commencement photos for the class of 2022 here.
To view the archived video of the commencement ceremony, please click the on-demand tab here.
Ferrum College is pleased to announce that journalist and bestselling author Beth Macy will be the keynote speaker for its 106th commencement ceremony on April 23, 2022.
Beth Macy is the author of the critically acclaimed and New York Times-bestselling books, Factory Man, Truevine, and Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America. Macy served as Executive Producer and writer on the acclaimed Hulu limited television series, Dopesick, which was based on her book and starred Michael Keaton, who won a Golden Globe for his performance as Samuel Finnix.
A longtime reporter who specializes in outsiders and underdogs, Macy has won more than a dozen national journalism awards, including a Lukas Prize for Factory Man, multiple shortlist and best-book-of-the-year honors for Truevine, and a Nieman Fellowship for Journalism at Harvard University for her newspaper writing.
A frequent speaker, teacher, and essayist, Macy has been published in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, Oprah Magazine, and Parade.
Her upcoming book, Raising Lazarus: Hope, Justice, and the Future of America’s Drug Crisis (August 2022), focuses on solutions to the opioid crisis and the heroic efforts of frontline workers applying harm reduction practices on the streets of America.
Macy was a reporter for The Roanoke Times from 1989 to 2014. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University and her master’s degree in creative writing from Hollins University.
The Ferrum College commencement ceremony honoring the class of 2022 will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Adams Stadium on campus. For more information, click here.
