8/19/2021
Dr. Ed Hally
Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Administration Ed Hally has been appointed to the position of Boone Honors Program (BHP) assistant director. He will serve alongside Professor of English Lana Whited, who has directed the program for the past 13 years.
“With a keen intellect and a heart for service, Ed Hally is an ideal candidate for honors education,” said Whited. “I am delighted about his appointment and grateful for his willingness to take on this new role.”
“I have a soft spot for honors programs, in general,” said Hally. “They were an important part of my own college career and development as a scholar.”
The BHP, an interdisciplinary program committed to challenging students, and the college campus as a whole, to strive for excellence, has continued to grow since its 2001 inception under the leadership of now-retired Dean of Arts and Humanities and Religion Professor David Howell. In May 2021, the program graduated 14 honors medallion recipients, its largest-ever group. This fall, BHP will welcome its largest entering class of 25 honors students. (An SAT score of at least 1200 and a GPA of at least 3.5 are required to join BHP as a Ferrum College freshman.)
Hally has worked closely with BHP for more than a decade, and has taught the introductory honors seminar (Honors 100) eight times. His role as BHP assistant director will evolve over time as the program’s needs are determined, but will mostly involve program assessment, mentorship, service on the BHP steering committee, and continuing to teach the Honors 100 seminar.
In 2020, Hally began directing the College’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), which seeks to engage the student body in ways that will lead to even more student success. He will continue directing the QEP as he navigates his new role as BHP assistant director.
“The students are the main reason to work so closely with the BHP,” said Hally. “The classes are always rewarding to teach because the students always surprise and impress me with their creativity, their talent, and their ability to work as a team.”
Read more about the Boone Honors Program.
4/23/2021
Dr. Lana Whited, BHP director and English professor at Ferrum College, stands with 15 BHP graduating seniors.
On Thursday, April 22, 2021, members of the Boone Honors Program were honored during a banquet held in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room from 6 – 8:30 p.m. Special recognition went to the fifteen graduating seniors, the largest group of graduates in the program’s two-decade-long history (the previous record was ten in 2014). Of the fifteen seniors, twelve are or have been intercollegiate athletes and some competed in multiple sports. Their names are listed below.
After a welcome from BHP Program Director and Professor of English Lana Whited, President David Johns greeted guests and thanked the seniors for their efforts during their time at the College. Each senior chose a professor, not necessarily in their field of study, to share comments about the senior’s time at Ferrum College as they progressed through coursework. There was lots of laughter with a few tears. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Aimé Sposato closed the program with heartfelt well wishes.
The Boone Honors Program was established in 2001 under the direction of David Howell, dean of arts and humanities, professor of religion, and director of faculty development, and is named in honor of former Ferrum College President Jerry Boone and his wife, Shirley.
See photos from the event on the College’s Flickr album.
Elina Matilda Baltins ’21
Bachelor of Science in pre-professional health sciences, emphasis in pre-med
swimming, track and field
Bryce Daniel Beard ’20 (December graduate)
Bachelor of Science in chemistry
Cayla Morgan Berry ’21
Bachelor of Science in criminal justice, emphasis in criminology
women’s soccer
Jacob Alan Blaukovitch ’21
Bachelor of Science in pre-professional health sciences, emphasis in pre-med
Bachelor of Science in biology
Bachelor of Science in chemistry
Samuel Ammon Chappell ’20 (December graduate)
Bachelor of Science in environmental science
swimming
Robert Sean Grande, Jr. ’21
Bachelor of Science in political science
football
Dakota Alexander Fletcher ’21
Bachelor of Science in computer information systems, emphasis in computer networks and cybersecurity
Jenna McKenzie Janicki ’21
Bachelor of Science in health and human performance, emphasis in exercise and sport studies
women’s soccer
Suzanne Huiwen Maines ’21
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
Camden Vinson Mariotti ’21
Bachelor of Science in health and human performance, emphasis in exercise science
football
Alexzondra Lena Mattson ’21
Bachelor of Science in pre-professional health sciences, emphasis in pre-med
women’s soccer
John Francis Sheehan, IV ’21
Bachelor of Science in social studies
men’s lacrosse, football
Nancy Kathryn Shoaf ’21
Bachelor of Science in environmental science
swimming
Hannah Elizabeth Smith ’21
Bachelor of Science in environmental science
swimming
Victoria Katherine Wagner ’20 (December graduate)
Bachelor of Science in pre-professional health sciences, emphasis in pre-therapy
swimming
