Ferrum College alumna Brianne Scott is living her dream career as a forensic autopsy technician in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Roanoke, VA.
A May 2018 graduate and native of Ferrum, VA, Scott majored in biology and minored in chemistry and forensic science at the College, and began working in the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in November 2018. “From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to do something in science, specifically forensics,” explained Scott. “When I started at Ferrum, I decided I wanted to be a forensic DNA analyst and my ultimate goal was to work at the forensics lab in Roanoke.”
Then, Scott took the class the changed her career course. “I took human anatomy and physiology with Dr. [Katie] Goff. I loved the cadaver experience and I knew then that I wanted the hands-on experience of doing autopsies, especially on the forensics side.” Scott was eager to do her own independent research, which she completed during her time at Ferrum College.
Now, between leading a youth group at her church, reading forensic and mystery books, and working as an assistant site director for YMCA youth, Scott often returns to her old stomping grounds to speak with Goff’s human anatomy classes, as well as the Minds-N-Medicine students, a club dedicated to supporting each other’s experiences as early career students of health professions. “I am so thankful for the chance to come back to my Alma Mater to speak about something I am so passionate about,” noted Scott. “I enjoyed these experiences very much!”
Katie Goff, associate professor of biology at the College, fondly remembers her time with Scott. “I’ve had the pleasure of instructing Brianne during her college days, and now working with her as a partner in teaching my current human anatomy and Minds-N-Medicine students,” remarked Goff. “She has proven to be a dedicated and capable instructor, offering expert insight into her everyday work. Current students find her stories fascinating and want her to come back again as soon as possible!”
On Friday, May 3, Scott returned to Ferrum College’s cadaver lab to talk with students about her work.
Pictured from left to right: Amy Chattin, Brianne Scott ’18, Tina Young, and Katie Goff.
Read more about Ferrum College’s biology program here.
Per their website, “the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is responsible for determining the cause and manner of deaths that occur under certain circumstances in Virginia.” Read more about their work here.
Alumna Alexis Hatcher ’18.
Ferrum College alumna Alexis Hatcher ’18 has received a full tuition scholarship to the competitive Master of Divinity program at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. Originally hailing from Richmond, VA, she was Ferrum College’s 2018 homecoming queen and earned her Bachelor of Arts and Humanities as a religion major and psychology minor from the College this past December. As a current student at Wesley Theological Seminary, she plans to pursue pastoral ministry by earning her Master in Divinity with a focus in the missional ministry program, which helps to advance those serving in leadership positions in entrepreneurship and mission ministry.
“I plan to continue to honor God with my life and spread his legacy wherever I go,” said Hatcher. “My prayers and well wishes will always be with Ferrum. I’m a proud alumna.”
Visit here to learn more about Ferrum College’s religious studies program.
Samantha Smith-Herndon
In addition to being named a 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni recipient by Ferrum College in a September 22 ceremony, Samantha Smith-Herndon ’12 has been selected as a Middle Border Forward Fellow and invited to participate in the Leadership Southside program through the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce.
As an October 2018-September 2019 MBF Fellow, Smith-Herndon will participate in “a year-long leadership development program designed to introduce emerging leaders to the opportunities and challenges within the Middle Border region, encourage civic engagement and create a network of grassroots leaders poised to make a change where they live and work,” according to MBF’s website.
Smith-Herndon will also take part in the September 2018-April 2019 Leadership Southside class which will focus on developing leadership skills and strengthening roles of individuals, professionals, and community members. She was one of 18 chosen participants.
A 2012 Ferrum College graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture, Smith-Herndon is currently employed by The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research as a research associate. She volunteers at Southern Virginia Career Choice Expo where she actively engages more than 4,000 students to career choices in the Southwest Virginia communities. She is a remote pilot-section 107 licensed agriculture drone operator with a passion for UAV technology, horticulture, plant sciences, agriculture and education. Additionally, she spent several summers with Ferrum College’s Water Quality Program as an associate of the Virginia Department of Health’s Marina Education Program, an initiative which seeks to educate recreational boaters regarding the detrimental effects negligent boating practices have on public waterways. She is currently working on her master’s degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, with hopes to continue her studies of conservation practices in Appalachia.
Mark Gignac, executive director of The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research stated, “We proudly congratulate Samantha on her achievements and appreciate the talent, professionalism and passion she brings to her work day in and day out. We benefit tremendously from her leadership of our drone program, which positively impacts precision agriculture as part of our regional economic transformation efforts.”
Read more about Smith-Herndon’s achievements here.
Paul L. Harris, Jr. ’65, was awarded the Benjamin M. Beckham Medallion, the College’s highest alumni honor, during commencement on Saturday, May 5. Named after the College’s first president, Dr. Benjamin M. Beckham, the Medallion is awarded to an alumnus or alumna who exemplify in an exceptional manner the Ferrum motto, “Not Self, But Others.” Harris was introduced to Ferrum College in 1963 by a pastor at his church in Richmond, Virginia. Classes for his first semester that fall were delayed as workers rushed to complete Chapman Hall and then, while making up for this lost time during Thanksgiving break, the campus, the nation, and the world were stunned by the assassination of President John Kennedy.
Despite this adverse beginning, Harris, who described himself at that time as “an indifferent student”, was inspired to become active in campus life, play for Colonel Bud Skeens’ first Panther tennis team, and achieve his Associates of Arts degree in 1965. He believes that his Ferrum experience helped him learn how to assume a role of leadership, gain self-confidence, and prove to himself that he could achieve higher goals than he had ever thought possible.
Harris went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Richmond, serve as a staff sergeant in the US Air Force -Virginia Air National Guard, and work for Price Waterhouse in Washington, D.C. where he began an illustrious international career in business and financial management. He was vice president of finance at Universal Restoration from 1973 to 1976 and completed the European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD) Advanced Business Management Program in Fontainebleau, France in 1986. Recruited by British Aerospace North America, he and his family spent several years in London, England with their Commercial Aircraft Division. He returned to the states in 1992 to take on the role of Senior Vice President and General Manager responsible for the company’s investments in North America. He retired from British Aerospace in 2000 after 25 years of service.
As a former member of the United Christian Parish in Reston, Virginia, Harris served as chair of the Finance Committee. He is currently a member of Bethany United Methodist Church in Reedville, Virginia. His community involvement includes a position as commodore at the Virginia Yacht Club and board service for British Aerospace North America, Inc., Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club, Cheshire Homes of Arlington, Reflectone, Inc., the National Aviation Club, and the Washington Dulles Task Force. He has been a member of the Financial Executives Institute and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Harris joined the Ferrum College Board of Trustees in 2000 and in 2005 became the first alumnus to be named Chair. During his tenure he spoke of witnessing the same dedication from faculty and staff that he had experienced as a student and continuously expressed in pride in the College and its growth. His words are as relevant today as they were then, “To the current students at Ferrum I would hope that you will take advantage of all the opportunities that student life offers. Ferrum will always be a part of you and you will always remember your experiences, your friendships, and lessons learned. I still remember mine.”
In 2001, Harris and his wife established the Ferrum College Paul L. Harris ’65 and Susan Lee Harris Endowed Scholarship. The financial aid generated from this fund benefits Ferrum College students from Washington, D.C. and Fairfax or Northumberland Counties in Virginia. As endowment donors, the Harrises are members of the Ferrum College Beckham Society as well as the Arthur Society for their generous annual support of College programs and the Ruth Society for their consistent financial assistance.
Despite his impressive achievements, Harris remains humble and a man of character, generosity, and integrity – a worthy recipient of the 2018 Ferrum College Beckham Medallion.
Mika Smith graduated from Ferrum College in 2016 with a B.S. in Chemistry and minors in both Forensic Science and Criminal Justice. A Dean’s List student, she was also a member of the softball team and of Alpha Chi, the National Honor Society.
Regarding Mika, Professor of Chemistry & Physics Jason Powell shared that, “It was a great pleasure for me to be able to work with her as she made the decision to transition from being a criminal justice major to a chemistry major with criminal justice and forensic science minors to better position herself for graduate work in forensic science. I also got to see her skills firsthand while she was working on a project funded by NASA where we developed formulas to make steel more resistant to corrosion. I am proud of what she has already accomplished since she graduated from Ferrum and look forward to seeing where life takes her.”
Mika is currently a candidate for a M.S. in Forensic Science degree in the class of 2018 at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her thesis work entails the analysis of commercially available vaping products through the use of Direct Analysis Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS) and Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).
Earlier this month Mika presented her research to a gathering of students, faculty, and staff for the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Friday Seminar. After her lecture entitled “Forecast for Life after Ferrum: Cloudy with a Chance of Vaping”, we caught up with her for a brief interview.
Do you have a favorite Ferrum College memory?
My favorite Ferrum memory really isn’t one single memory but more of a collection of them over the course of my senior year at Ferrum. The memories ranging from completing my senior seminar presentation to spending time with friends during “grad week” to the start of my current relationship and of course the feeling of graduating with a Bachelor’s degree. Ferrum is a place that will forever hold a place in my heart because of the many memories and accomplishments it holds.
Did you have a favorite professor at Ferrum College?
Ferrum has so many great faculty members but I would have to say Dr. Jason Powell because he mentored me throughout my years at Ferrum and still continues to be a point of reference. He is always willing to help his students succeed and challenges students to be their absolute best.
Do you have any advice for current Panthers?
Always take advantage of every opportunity that you have. Every activity on campus is there to make you a better student and a better person.
What’s your next step?
I want to take all my education and experience and work in a laboratory as a forensic scientist specializing in toxicology and controlled substances.
Phyllis Q. Karavatakis ’76 has been elected president of Carter Bank & Trust by the bank’s Board of Directors.
Karavatakis has been employed with Carter Bank & Trust for 38 years, most recently as executive vice president and chief lending officer.
Karavatakis currently serves on the boards of trustees for several entities, including The Launch Place in Danville; Ferrum College, where she is chair of the audit committee; and the Virginia Bankers Association School of Bank Management. She is a former chair of the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce, a founding board member of the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber’s Partnership for Economic Growth, and was the 2009 recipient of the Heck Ford Award, the highest leadership honor awarded by the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber.
# # #
