The cover design of fall 2019’s “Chrysalis” is by Ferrum College senior Anthony Wilson, Jr. ’20.
On Tuesday, December 10, 2019, Ferrum College Chrysalis Literary and Arts Magazine staff revealed the fall 2019 edition of the magazine in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room on campus. Submissions to the magazine were canvassed from across campus with winners in four categories: visual art, prose, photography, and poetry.
Senior Heather Ellis from Hardy, VA, received first place in poetry for “Signed, A Silent Onlooker” and in prose for “A Never-Ending Cycle.” First place for photography was awarded to senior Amber Scott of Stuart, VA for “Blue Skies.” First place award for visual arts went to junior Ashlynn Willoughby of Wilmington, NC for “Growth.” The Chrysalis cover photo is by senior Anthony Wilson, Jr., from Woodbridge, VA.
Judges included Ferrum College alumnus Mike Dunavant ’93, who evaluated the photography category; Ferrum College alumna Amanda Cholko ’14, who reviewed the poetry category; local artist Jane Lillian Vance, who evaluated the visual art category; and journalist and author Janine Latus, who evaluated the prose category.
The Chrysalis staff is comprised of Ferrum College students: editor-in-chief Heather Ellis; photography and visual art committee members sophomore Chloe Fisher (chair) and freshman Kristina Cossa; poetry committee members senior Kathryn Bonner, junior Abigail McGovern, and junior Jacques Moore-Roberts; and prose committee members senior AnnGardner Eubank (chair) and sophomore Shela Muriel. Chrysalis advisor is Ferrum College Professor of English Katherine Grimes.
Read this semester’s edition of Chrysalis Literary and Arts Magazine here.
Students show their appreciation to Ferrum College donors.
Ferrum College celebrated #GivingTuesday on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, by inviting donors to show their #FerrumHeartofGold with a gift to the Ferrum Fund which supports current and future students. The day was an immense success with gifts totaling over $50,000 from nearly 150 donors.
“We are grateful to our alumni and friends who made this year’s #GivingTuesday the College’s best ever,” said President David Johns. “I am proud of our Ferrum College family for its generosity, its commitment to our students, and for its willingness to pitch in and make a difference. Every dollar we raised will help students realize their dreams and build a future of hope and promise.”
The Ferrum Fund provides current and future students with:
To support students with a gift to the Ferrum Fund, please visit here.
#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.
A beautifully decorated live Christmas tree is on display during the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum’s December 12 Open House.
This season, Ferrum College invites the community to enjoy a variety of holiday events on campus and in nearby Rocky Mount.
The Blue Ridge Institute and Museum is offering a Homeschoolers’ “Blue Ridge Holiday” Day Camp on Thursday, December 5, from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Children will make decorations and participate in blacksmithing, caroling, card making, and more. Learn more and register here.
Theatre Arts at Ferrum College will present three performances of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol: December 5 at 7 p.m., and December 7 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The performance will take place in Sale Theatre on campus, 305 State Route 602, in Ferrum. Admission is $5 for non-Ferrum College students and senior citizens, and $10 for adults. Reserve tickets here.
On Friday, December 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the annual Holiday Bazaar will be held in the Panthers Den in lower Franklin Hall, 215 Ferrum Mountain Road, Ferrum. Local vendors will be on site. This event is free to attend and open to the public.
Also on Friday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m., the Ferrum College Chorale will perform at the Franklin County Library in Rocky Mount during the annual “Come Home to a Franklin County Christmas” event. This event is free and open to the public.
On Sunday, December 8, Ferrum College’s Marching Band will participate in the Franklin County Christmas Parade from 3–6 p.m. in downtown Rocky Mount. The parade is free to attend.
The Neverending Story: A Reflection of Jesus’ Teachings and Birth will be presented on Sunday, December 8 at 7 p.m. in the College’s Vaughn Chapel, 40 Wiley Drive, Ferrum. This performance is free and open to the public, and features music from the Ferrum College Chorale, Concert Choir, and the Fresh Wind Gospel Choir.
On Monday, December 9 at 7 p.m., Ferrum College Mountain Winds will offer a fall concert at Sale Theatre, 305 State Route 602, Ferrum. Admission is free and the concert is open to the public.
The Blue Ridge Institute and Museum’s annual “Christmas in the Blue Ridge Open House” will take place on Thursday, December 12, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Institute and Museum, 20 Museum Drive, Ferrum. Enjoy a beautifully decorated live tree, homemade cookies and cider, caroling, and a variety of vendors selling Christmas gifts. The event is free and open to the public.
On Monday, November 11, 2019, Ferrum College unveiled its new Craddock Veterans Lounge in Stanley Library on campus. The lounge is specifically designated as a space for veterans on campus, and was made possible by Army veteran and Ferrum College alumnus Greg Craddock ’92 and members of the Craddock family.
“It was a pleasure to unveil the Craddock Veterans Lounge today. My hope is that this lounge provides a place of peace for Ferrum’s veterans on campus to study, relax, and spend time together,” said Greg Craddock.
“We are grateful to the Craddock family for their generosity which has made this veterans lounge possible,” said Ferrum College President David Johns. “As we all know, courage, sacrifice, and selflessness are the qualities of a veteran, and we owe a great deal to those who give so much in defense of freedom. The Craddock Veterans Lounge is one way will be able to honor the heroes who are part of our Ferrum College community.”
A veteran of the U.S. Army, Craddock has over 20 years of experience in special operations, intelligence, and security operations. He was among the first boots on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq. He graduated from Ferrum College in 1992 and holds a master’s degree in business administration from Liberty University. Craddock now serves as the chief executive officer of Patriot Group International (PGI), Inc. Under Craddock’s leadership, PGI earned over $10 million in revenue within two years of operation and was named to Inc. Magazine’s “Fast 500” in 2014. In 2017, PGI was selected as the Government Contractor of the Year in the $25-75 million category.
The Craddock Lounge unveiling followed a special Veterans Day ceremony honoring veterans, soldiers, and reservists, held in Vaughn Chapel on campus. Craddock was the keynote speaker.
See photos from the Craddock Veterans Lounge unveiling and special Veterans Day Program here.
Ferrum College alumnus and former professional baseball pitcher Billy Wagner was inducted to the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in a weekend celebration over November 1-2, 2019. The ceremony was held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Wagner credits much of his success to Ferrum College: “Going to Ferrum was the greatest thing that ever happened in my life,” Wagner said in an article that appeared in the October 30 edition of The Roanoke Times.
Wagner spent three years at Ferrum College until he was recruited by Houston in the 1993 Major League Baseball draft. His professional career includes stints with the Houston Astros (1995-2003); Philadelphia Phillies (2004-2005); New York Mets (2006-2009); Boston Red Sox (2009); and Atlanta Braves (2010). Wagner now coaches high school baseball at The Miller School in Albemarle County.
“There is absolutely no way somebody that hasn’t been to Ferrum could understand the beauty of Ferrum and what it entails,” Wagner concluded during the interview.
Learn more about Wagner’s athletic achievements here.
Read more about Wagner in this Roanoke Times article.
Ferrum College invites the community to a special 10 a.m. Veterans Day Program to be held on Veterans Day, November 11, 2019, in the College’s Vaughn Chapel, 40 Wiley Drive, Ferrum. The program, which is free and open to the public, will honor veterans and reserve soldiers.
Ferrum College alumnus and U.S. Army veteran Greg Craddock will be the keynote speaker. Craddock has over 20 years of special operations, intelligence, and security operations experience. He was a member of the Ferrum College football team and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1992. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from Liberty University.
Craddock now serves as chief executive officer of Patriot Group International (PGI), Inc. PGI was founded in 2005 by former special operations and intelligence professionals to offer services to select clients within the intelligence, defense, and private sectors. In 2009, Craddock led a group of private investors to acquire PGI. Under his leadership, PGI earned over $10 million in revenue within two years of operation. In 2014, PGI was named to Inc. Magazine’s “Fast 500” which recognizes the 500 fastest growing privately owned companies in the United States.
During his Army service, Craddock served as a ranger and Special Forces soldier, and was among the first boots on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq. Prior to joining PGI, he served as an Anti-Terrorism Force Protection (ATFP) consultant to the United States government.
Following the Veterans Day Program in Vaughn Chapel, the community is also invited to attend the Craddock Veterans Lounge unveiling in Stanley Library, made possible by the generosity of Greg Craddock and his family. Light refreshments will be served.
Read more about Patriot Group International, Inc. here.
Talum Smith ’20 (center) stands with President David Johns and Head Women’s Wrestling Coach Breonnah Neal at the October 30 Wrestle Like A Girl Gala.
Ferrum College senior and member of the women’s wrestling team Talum Smith was honored Wednesday, October 30, 2019, during the Wrestle Like A Girl Fourth Annual Gala. The gala was held in Washington, D.C. at the National Museum for Women in the Arts.
Out of 427 nominated student wrestlers, Smith was chosen to receive the Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston Courage Award presented by Tiffany and Co. The award was created in 2016 by the Wrestle Like A Girl Foundation to honor Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston, who moved from Iran to the U.S. and became the first woman in America’s history to win a wrestling medal for the U.S. at the 1989 World Championships. The Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston Courage Award honors athletes who have to use immense personal courage to participate or compete in sports, even when participating could put them at great risk.
“I feel deeply humbled and honored to receive this award. It feels amazing to know that I can inspire other people, especially young girls, and be a great role model to them,” said Smith. “I want to thank Wrestle Like A Girl for hosting this event and everything that they are doing to empower and invest in women.”
“Her award is fitting,” explained Ferrum College President David Johns. “Talum is one of the most courageous young women I know, in all aspects of life.”
“She is hardworking, dedicated, and a great leader who always has a smile on her face and produces positive energy,” said Ferrum College head women’s wrestling coach Breonnah Neal. “Talum is well-deserving of this award because of all of the obstacles she has faced.”
A criminal justice major hailing from Washington, D.C., Smith did not initially plan on pursuing higher education due to the expense and having to move away from her siblings. In spite of the odds, she made her way to Ferrum College and began working a full-time job to pay for school.
In her sophomore year at the College, she came out for the women’s wrestling team, showing up at every practice that didn’t interfere with her full-time job. Also in her sophomore year, at age 19, Smith was diagnosed with leukemia.
“I was blindsided by the news,” said then head women’s wrestling coach Jessica Medina. “As she told me this, she had a smile on her face. She didn’t want anyone to pity her or worry.”
Throughout treatment, Smith continued to work and go to class with an oxygen tank in tow. She took summer classes to raise her GPA. She was determined to wrestle for Ferrum College. In fall 2018, Smith received the happy news that the disease was in remission.
In January 2019, with her doctor’s permission, Smith competed in the Tornado Open. “She wrestled her heart out that day, inspiring our entire team,” said Medina. “Because she wanted to compete on her college team, she pushed herself in the classroom to have the opportunity.”
“Talum embodies the spirit of Ferrum College–determined, focused, and courageous,” said Johns, with pride. “She is an inspiration to us all.”
Read more about Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston here, and about the Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston Courage Award here.
Learn more about Wrestle Like A Girl here.
Learn more about Ferrum College’s women’s wrestling here.
The Blue Ridge Institute and Museum announces the 46th annual Blue Ridge Folklife Festival on Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., rain or shine, at the Institute on Ferrum College’s campus, 20 Museum Drive, Ferrum. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children (ages 6 – 14), and $5 for senior citizens (55 and over). Children 5 years old and younger are admitted free.
Always the fourth Saturday in October, the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival features authentic regional folk music, craftspeople, draft horse and dog handlers, car builders, tractor restorers, country cooks, moonshine tale tellers and much more! Called “thoroughly authentic” by The New York Times, the festival is coordinated by the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum at Ferrum College and is a major venue on the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.
Order advance tickets by calling (540) 365-4412. Visit here to learn more, view a schedule of events and ticket packages, or register a car for the car show.
Learn more about the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum here.
Author, speaker, and domestic violence educator Janine Latus will visit Ferrum College’s campus on Monday, October 28, 2019, at 7 p.m. in the Panthers Den of Franklin Hall. She will present “You Know What’s Really Scary? Relationship Violence.” A reception will follow the presentation. This event is free and open to the public.
Janine Latus had recently left an abusive marriage and was attending a conference when she learned that her youngest sister, Amy, was missing. In April 2002, Amy had taped a note to the inside of her desk drawer. “Today Ron Ball and I are romantically involved,” it read, “but I fear I have placed myself at risk in a variety of ways. Based on his criminal past, writing this out just seems like the smart thing to do. If I am missing or dead this obviously has not protected me…”. Two years later, Amy’s former boyfriend Ron Ball was sentenced for her murder.
These experiences led Latus to launch a campaign against relationship violence, and today she is a widely sought-after teacher, author, and speaker who regularly conducts workshops for clients in the corporate, educational, and military sectors, as well as professional athletics. Her talks have inspired thousands of people to recognize relationship abuse, break free, and heal.
Dr. Lana Whited, professor of English and director of the Boone Honors Program at Ferrum College, describes Latus’s previous visit to the Ferrum campus: “I have seldom heard the undergraduate students on our campus quieter than when Janine Latus was speaking to them. Janine is generous with her time and talents and unwavering in her crusade to spare others what she and her sister Amy endured. Her message resonates long after she has gone.”
Visit Latus’s website to read the first chapter of “If I Am Missing or Dead” or to listen to Latus’s 2017 Tedx talk.
Latus’s appearance at Ferrum College is sponsored by the Office of Student Life, the Boone Honors Program, Stanley Library, and the campus chapter of Help Save the Next Girl.
Event details submitted by Dr. Lana Whited.
Members of the Ferrum College Chorale pose for a photo in Vaughn Chapel on campus.
The Ferrum College Chorale will perform at Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium in New York City on April 25, 2020.
The invitation to perform came to Ferrum College’s Adjunct Instructor of Theatre Arts Adam McAllister, from Josh O’Dell. O’Dell is the choir director at Thrasher United Methodist Church; a part-time music professor at Radford University; and the creator of Voices of Appalachia, a select 50-person chamber choir of which McAllister is a member.
O’Dell was recruited by Mid-Atlantic Productions, a resource for film and television production professionals, to form his own choir to conduct at Carnegie Hall. The choir will be made up of approximately 125 singers mostly from the Roanoke and New River Valley areas.
“This will mark the first time in history that a musical ensemble from Ferrum College performs at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall,” said McAllister.
The invitation came at an appropriate time, as the College began offering a new Bachelor of Arts in music this fall. “It’s an exciting opportunity for our students and a wonderful way to celebrate the availability of our new Bachelor of Arts degree in music,” McAllister added.
“We are thrilled that Ferrum College and its music department will be represented in New York City at the most prestigious concert stage in the country and perhaps the world,” said Ferrum College’s Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music Sixto Montesinos. “We are excited to announce that our music majors will have opportunities to perform at places like Carnegie Hall in the future.”
Ferrum College Chorale members have been working hard to fund the cost of the trip by hosting 50/50 raffles and accepting “love offerings” from churches at which they sing. “I love the moment when everyone’s voices fit together perfect,” said sophomore Chorale member and computer science major, Eric Mathews. “It’s hard work, but it pays off when we see the audiences’ faces.”
“I toured Carnegie Hall in high school when we went to New York for a choir competition,” explained Ferrum College senior and member of the Chorale Jamie Gilbert. “I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to sing there. As a musical theatre major, my dream is to perform on Broadway in New York. But if that doesn’t work out, at least I will have been able to sing at Carnegie Hall!” Gilbert will graduate from Ferrum College in May 2020.
Learn more about Ferrum College’s music department here.
The total cost per Ferrum College Chorale student (including transportation and lodging) is $1,049.00. If you would like to make a tax-deductible gift to help fund a Chorale student’s trip to Carnegie Hall, please visit here, click on “program support” and then type “Ferrum College Chorale” in the “program to support” field.
Members of the Scott family cut the ribbon commemorating the Leo H. Scott Educational Pavilion.
The Blue Ridge Institute and Museum at Ferrum College celebrated the completion of the Leo H. Scott Educational Pavilion with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Blue Ridge Farm Museum on Wednesday, October 16, 2019.
Leo Scott was often called the backbone of the Ferrum community.
Named for the late Leo Hamilton Scott, a Ferrum local who was often described as the backbone of the community, the pavilion was made possible by his wife Geraldine Scott and her grandchildren Chase and Kelli. The Scott family is a longtime presence in the town of Ferrum and strong supporters of the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum, and Ferrum College.
“The educational pavilion is my special gift to Leo,” said Geraldine. “It means a great deal to me for everyone to be able to use it, from school children, to the Ferrum community for reunions and parties, to college students. I can’t wait to see it in use.”
Scott was a 1951 graduate of Ferrum Junior College. In 1953, he founded Leo Scott Cabinets and employed many local father and son pairs to custom-make cabinets that were shipped throughout southeast Virginia. Scott was active in the Ferrum community; he founded the Ferrum Rescue Squad and Ferrum Volunteer Fire Department. In 2001, Ferrum College awarded Scott the Benjamin M. Beckham Medallion, the most prestigious alumni award named after the College’s first president. He was also named Franklin County’s Farmer of the Year in 2013. Scott passed away in February 2017 at age 84.
“We are so grateful to the Scott family for this generous gift to the 1800s farm museum,” said Bethany Worley, director of the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum. “We’ve needed an educational facility for decades to serve our growing numbers of school tours, homeschooling events, and for the annual Blue Ridge Folklife Festival. The Leo H. Scott Educational Pavilion will also be instrumental in our community fellowship. Everyone can be a part of Ferrum College.”
“The Leo H. Scott Educational Pavilion will be a center for learning, recreation, and reflection for years to come,” said Ferrum College President David Johns. “It will stand as a lasting memorial to a beloved member of this community. We are grateful to Geraldine Scott for her gift to Ferrum College and to the Village of Ferrum.”
Read more about Leo Hamilton Scott in this Franklin News Post article.
Learn more about the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum here.
Six Ferrum College seniors will present their own research regarding a wide variety of topics during the Natural Sciences Friday Seminar on October 25, 2019, from 1:25 – 2:45 p.m. in Garber Hall #106. Read below to learn more about the seniors’ presentations.
Andrew Calohan – “Creatine Monohydrate, Like Coffee for Your Muscles”We all love coffee and we all love that boost of energy that caffeine gives us. What if there is something similar that you could use to feed your muscles every day? Creatine is the best known fitness supplement out on the market. It not only gives the muscles energy, it also helps them recover and be ready for the next day. If you want one of the best ways to build muscle – not from something that can be found in macaroni (steroids) – then creatine is the road for you.
Caitlin Hodges – “Synthesis and Utilization of Polyoxometalate Compounds as Antimicrobial Agents”Due to the ever increasing problem of antibiotic resistance, there is an acute need for a new class of antibiotic drugs. Since many current antibiotic agents are derived from bacterial cells and other living organisms, there is reason to believe that inorganic compounds such as polyoxometalates may exhibit greater specificity and reduced risk of resistance. Current studies suggest that polyoxometalates are promising compounds that can be used in an antiviral, antifungal, and even anticancer capacity.
Andrew Holden – “Importance of a GMO Tomato”Tomatoes are one of the most popular and important vegetables in the world, with over 182,000,000 tons produced across the globe in 2017 (Food and Agriculture Organization statistic). Tomatoes are also subject to many plant pests and diseases, making it necessary to breed tomatoes that give the best defense against pests/pathogens as well as yields. The benefits of the use of genetic modification of tomatoes is reviewed and discussed in this presentation, with a focus on pest and disease resistance.
Kateri Smith – “The Rationing System and the Sustainability of British Agriculture in WW2 and Beyond”The situation of agriculture during World War II in England was founded on the idea that the country could produce all its food regardless of a German blockade or other factors. They created a model system by using all available labor sources as well as keeping accurate data, while shifting production to produce necessary goods and foodstuffs, and having overlapping organizations that would monitor and maintain the system.
This presentation will include a discussion of the treatments of Lupus Nephritis in adults.
Jessie Worley – “A1 Versus A2 Milk”Milk is a widely used product across the world. Whether milk itself is consumed or mixed in yogurt, cakes, or cheeses, billions of pounds of milk are consumed by Americans alone on a daily basis. Who thought that there would be “kinds” of milk, though? A1 and A2 milk are two different types of milk and they are different due to proteins. Throughout my paper I will discuss what the milks are, the difference, why they are different, and the impacts each milk has on human health.
