President’s Cup recipient Brian Mann; Arthur S. Owens Leadership Award recipient Layura Henley; and Senior Academic Excellence Award recipient Chris Stone.

Last month, three members of the class of 2020 received top senior awards.

Brian Mann, of Pearisburg, VA, was named as the 2020 President’s Cup recipient; Layura Henley, of Wytheville, VA, received the Arthur S. Owens Leadership Award; and Chris Stone, of Ferrum, VA, was honored with the Senior Academic Excellence Award.

The President’s Cup is awarded annually to a senior who exhibits excellence in academics, athletics, campus and community leadership, and character. Candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.2.

Mann earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration, graduating on May 9 with Magna Cum Laude honors. He was also a Panther football standout during his time at the institution, and was the first ever Ferrum College student-athlete to earn All-American and Academic All-American honors.

The Arthur S. Owens Leadership Award recognizes civic leader and humanitarian Arthur S. Owens who served Franklin County and the Roanoke Valley as a member of the Institutional Advancement team at Ferrum College. This award is presented to a senior with an excellent academic record, who best exemplifies the qualities of leadership, initiative, honor, and outstanding character. The recipient must also have participated in extracurricular activities and shown creative initiative in making Ferrum College a better place to study, work, and live. 

Henley received degrees in pre-professional health sciences, biology, and health sciences. During her time at Ferrum, she was also a member of the Boone Honors Program and the volleyball team, and served as senior class vice president.

Both Mann and Henley were nominated for Old Dominion Athletic Conference Awards – Mann, the Joplin Award; and Henley, the Berkley Award – which recognize member institution seniors who exhibit the highest achievements in athletics, academics, and extracurricular activities. 

The Senior Academic Excellence Award is based on the academic achievement of a full-time student enrolled at Ferrum College for four years who has earned a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Stone earned a Bachelor of Science degree in liberal studies. He will have his name inscribed on a permanent plaque displayed outside of the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in John Wesley Hall. 

Click here to view a full list of this year’s Academic Award recipients.

Ferrum College junior Brian Mann from Pearisburg, VA, has been named to both the 2018 American Football Coaches Association Division III All-American Team, and the 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-American NCAA Division III Football Team.  He is the College’s first ever student-athlete to earn academic and athletic All-American recognition.

Mann, who is majoring in business administration and financial management, was named to the All-Conference first team by the Old Dominion Athletic Conference this season, and is one of only two ODAC players named to the 2018 AFCA All-American team.  Mann earned a place on the Academic All-District V first team in November, which made him eligible for Academic All-American.  He ranks as Ferrum College’s seventh Academic All-American and the second in Panther football.  Currently, Mann holds 14 school records, received an ODAC nod in 2018, and was USA South Offensive Rookie of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017.

Read more about Brian Mann’s athletic and academic achievements here and here.