Left to right: Susan Johns, Quentin Montgomery, President David Johns, Mark Kellam, Chantal Aaron, Joshua Wright, Leya Deickman, Katherine Anderson, Provost Aimé Sposato, and Program Director and Professor of English Lana Whited.
On April 28 during a banquet held in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room on campus, Ferrum College celebrated six Boone Honors Program seniors set to graduate on May 11: Chantal Aaron of St. Catherine Parish, Jamaica and of Suffolk, VA, who will earn a Bachelor’s of Science in pre-professional science; Katherine Anderson of Mechanicsville, MD, who will earn a Bachelor’s of Science in environmental science; Leya Deickman of Fayetteville, NC, who will earn a Bachelor’s of Science in psychology; Mark Kellam of Springfield, VA, who will earn a Bachelor’s of Science in environmental science; Quentin Montgomery of Ararat, VA, who will earn a Bachelor’s of Science in environmental science; and Joshua Wright of Stuart, VA, who will earn a Bachelor’s of Science in mathematical science.
After a welcome from Lana Whited, the program’s director and professor of English at Ferrum College, 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 seniors’ time at Ferrum College as they progressed through coursework. There were hugs, some tears, and lots of laughter. Provost and Vice President of 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 here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ferrumcollege/albums/72157708180238905.
FERRUM, VA. April 30, 2019 — Ferrum College Assistant Professor of Art Jacob (Jake) Smith participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by Roanoke Parks and Recreation, welcoming his new giant bike statues at the entrance to Mill Mountain Park in Roanoke, Virginia on April 22. The Big Ol’ Bikes were permanently fixed at this location on April 9.
The idea for the giant bikes was hatched by Patrick Boas, recreation manager for Roanoke Parks and Recreation. He found sponsors to fund the project and teamed up with Smith to create the bikes. Although similar in their vast size, each bike is a bit different: one is geared to trail enthusiasts; the other, to road-bikers traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Smith worked on the project for nearly a year, beginning construction in May 2018. He enlisted the help of his fiancée, Kathleen Tyler Herndon, along with others, particularly for the construction of the tires. “This was a complex procedure that required placing flexible tubing around the rims and using fiberglass to coat them,” explained Smith. “During this process I relied on a lot of people who helped out grinding, sanding, and painting. It took longer to do this than it took to weld together the structure.”
In addition to Big Ol’ Bikes, Smith has worked on other massive-scale projects: a 60-foot-tall bowling pin located in Fredericksburg, Virginia; a 16-foot-long fish for a Maryland pier; faux concrete panels for a concentration camp exhibit at the Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, IL; a circus-themed children’s exhibit about human parasites; and a six-foot-tall medal of honor for the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes.
Read more about the April 22 ribbon cutting ceremony on the Roanoke Parks and Recreation website: https://www.playroanoke.com/new-bike-statues-at-home-on-mill-mountain/.
In the bottom photo: Jake Smith and Kathleen Tyler Herndon, with Tim Pohlad-Thomas ’08, who works in the recreation leadership field in Roanoke.
Learn more about Ferrum College’s art program here.
The campus community celebrated Ferrum College students during its annual Academic Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 12, 2019 in Vaughn Chapel.
After Dean of Chapel Jan Nicholson Angle offered the invocation, President David Johns welcomed students and their families, faculty, and staff, and expressed his pleasure in “celebrating today students who are not content with doing the minimum—meeting basic expectations. These students know that to be successful means stretching and daring to do a little more.”
“I am proud of our honorees,” continued Johns. “Let’s do more than congratulate them today; let’s thank them—because when they strive for and achieve excellence, they inspire us to do the same.” He closed by presenting the President’s Cup to senior Alexandria Dixon who is about to receive her bachelors degree in business administration with concentrations in management and finance, and a minor in philosophy. Awards were then presented to students by the dean of their school and their professors.
Provost Aimé Sposato bestowed special awards and closed the ceremony with these words of encouragement: “In just a few weeks, you will be walking across the Commencement stage — ready to take on the world. As you begin your next journey, carry a little bit of Ferrum College in your heart as you reach for the stars. We are honored to call you Panthers!”
A list of award recipients and honor society members follows.
See photos from the event here.
The Iron Blade Editor Commendation
AnnGardner Eubank
The Chrysalis Editor-in-Chief Award
AnnGardner Eubank
The Chrysalis Staff Member of the Year Award
Leya Deickman
The Eric Lee Baker Award for the Outstanding Student in English
Heather Ellis
The Outstanding Student of Russian Award
Suzanne Maines
The Spanish Award
Olivia Webster
The C.P. Minnick Award
Lorrie Ellis
The Acey-Wood-Rose Award for Excellence in Religious Studies
Christian Haley
The Jasse Scholarship in History Awards
Christian Haley
Pedro Arrocena-Jacuinde
Jack Sheehan
Jennifer Stough
Erica Tuck
The Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar in History Award
Claire Bailey
The Art Department Award
Atenoya Morris
The Theatre Arts Achievement Award
Sierra Pearson
Jasmine Williams
Lacey Matthews
The Dance Achievement Award
Sierra Pearson
Malcolm McRae
The Outstanding Music Student Award
Sierra Pearson
Corey Sutphin
The Agricultural Sciences Award
Sean Trollinger
The Biology Award
Quentin Montgomery
The Chemistry Award
Christina OubkeoThe Environmental Science Award
Katherine Anderson
Tamiah Palmer
The Environmental Studies Award
Caitlin Spencer
The Health Sciences Award
Taylor Atkinson
Hayden Storms
The Pre-Professional Health Sciences Award
Jared Williamson
The Pre-Professional Science Award
Chantal Aaron
The Mathematics Award
Joshua Wright
The Award for the Outstanding Student in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Chantal Aaron
The Management Award
Noah Collins
Alexandria Dixon
The Finance Award
Christian Cromer
Jake Martin
The Decision Support Award
Emma Grammer
The Marketing Award
Chanté Elam
The Hamblin Accounting Award
Sierra Roach
The Outstanding Student Researcher Psychology Award
JC Hazelwood
The Outstanding Student in Psychology Award
Rachael Ellis
The Health and Human Performance Award
Anton Traquair
The Recreation Leadership Award
Samantha Davis
The Jane Addams Social Work Achievement Award
Guy RamseyThe Outstanding Social Work Student Award
Alexandra Young
Taylor Woods
The 2019 Dr. Ken McCreedy Outstanding Criminal Justice Graduating Senior Award
Koby McMahon
The Dr. Betty N. Bailey Silver Weaver Award
Bethany Fletcher
The Delta Kappa Gamma Outstanding Woman in Education Award
Cheyenne Strickland
The Charles A. and Marion C. Skinner Award for Excellence in Education
Elementary Education
Molley Massey
Rachel Lowe
All-Level
Kelsey Mosley
Joshua Grimard
The Frank Benjamin Hurt Award
Matt Wright
The Rising Star Award
Gabrielle Reichard
Model United Nations
The Most Effective Delegate
Zachary Bullard
Model United Nations
The Most Effective Delegation
Zachary Bullard
AnnGardner Eubank
The Advisor’s Choice Award
Zachary Bullard
President’s Cup
Alexandria Dixon
The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards
Student Recipient
Mark Kellam
Faculty Recipient
Dr. Delia Heck
Non-Student Recipient
Dr. Ed Cornbleet
The Lillie Warwick Slaven Award
Alexis Hatcher
The James T. Catlin Citizenship Award
Lawrence BaranskiChantal Aaron
Pedro Arrocena-Jacuinde
Katherine Anderson
Taylor Atkinson
Claire Bailey
Lawrence Baranski III
Zachary Bullard
Noah Collins
Christian Cromer
Samantha Davis
Leya Deickman
Alexandria Dixon
Chanté Elam
Heather Ellis
Lorrie Ellis
Rachael Ellis
AnnGardner Eubank
Bethany Fletcher
Emma Grammer
Joshua Grimard
Christian Haley
Alexis Hatcher
JC Hazelwood
Mark Kellam
Rachel Lowe
Suzanne Maines
Jake Martin
Molly Massey
Lacey Matthews
Koby McMahon
Malcolm McRae
Quentin Montgomery
Atenoya Morris
Kelsey Mosley
Christina Oubkeo
Tamiah Palmer
Sierra Pearson
Guy Ramsey
Gabrielle Reichard
Sierra Roach
Jack Sheehan
Caitlin Spencer
Hayden Storms
Jennifer Stough
Cheyenne Strickland
Corey Sutphin
Anton Traquair
Sean Trollinger
Erica Tuck
Olivia Webster
Jasmine Williams
Jared Williamson
Taylor Woods
Joshua Wright
Matthew Wright
Alexandra YoungChantal Aaron
Bryce Beard
AnnGardner Eubank
Dakota Fletcher
Suzanne Maines
Nancy Shoaf
Victoria WagnerTaylor Brown
Samantha Combs
Kevin Ramirez
Charissa Reter
Satin Alicia Lee WilliamsMarquis LeeHallie ChappellOlivia Fox
Amber Scott
Mallory ScottMegan Allen
Renee Alleyne
Elina Baltins
Ametria Booker
Makenna Carden
Graham Doucette
Mikayla Floyd
Dominique Harper
Brady Hentz
Danielle Johns
Lauren Jutras
Abigale Light
Morgan McCoy
Kenzie Mosley
Amber Osborn
Hunter Tharpe
Ayanna Virgin
Carissa WilliamsAbigail Baker
Lawrence Baranski III
Katelin Benton
Hunter Berrier
Cayla Berry
Ysabella Bettilyon
Matthew Boyd
Mia Brower
Ashley Charters
Kimberly Clements
Samantha Combs
Taylor Darnell
De’Asia Darrington
Leya Deickman
Dakota Fletcher
Christian Haley
Rachel Hancock
Clifford Harrison
Caitlin Hodges
Sarah Peyton Hodges
LaErica Hubbard
Jonathan Iraggi
Jenna Janicki
Zack Jones
Gabriella Kermon
Rachel Knick
Lindsay Koogler
Allison Kurfees
Kayla Lentini
Alexzondra Mattson
Mikayla Moreno
Atenoya Morris
Autum Murray-Burns
Christina Oubkeo
Tamiah Palmer
Addison Philpott
Casey Raggett
Gabrielle Reichard
Destiny Roane
Davon Robinson
Amber Scott
Morgan Scott
Natasha Shelton
Cayla Stephens
Victoria Wagner
Brittany Warren
Grant Welch
Haley Yates
Rebecca YearyJamecia SmithPedro Arrocena-Jacuinde
Nancy Shoaf
Erica TuckLeya Deickman
Sierra Helton
Mallory Hall
Brianna Martin
Christopher RodriguezKathryn Bonner
Ametria Booker
Susan Cook
Leya Deickman
Kayla Divers
Daishi Dudley
Chanté Elam
Koby McMahon
Autumn Potkay
Mary Stoudt
Jasmine WilliamsJasmine Agee
Mark Allen
Jason Anstice
Max Baker
Cayla Berry
Jacob Blaukovitch
Tanner Brooks
Taylor Brown
Tucker Brown
Sianna Burgos-Altman
Mikayla Cannaday
Henry Carkhuff
Antonio Carrabotta
Chris Clarke
Dominick Claxton
Kimberly Clements
Noah Collins
Bailey Cooper
Taylor Darnell
Konner Deeds
Leya Deickman
Alexandria Dixon
Taylor Dodson
Moore Dolue
Miranda Dougherty
Alison Ford
Benjamin Foster
Tyler Fullem
Abigael Germeroth
Raekwon Giggetts
Courtney Gosslin
Hunter Goulart
Nick Helton
Anitria Henderson
Layura Henley
Shannon Johnson
Alicia Jones
CJ Kaashif
Lindsay Koogler
Breanne Kretzer
Allison Kurfees
Brooke Lewis
Michael Lyons
Brian Mann
Jake Martin
Alex Mattson
Ashley McAllister
Koby McMahon
Kevon McNeil
Hailey Meyer
Vicki Meza
Kiani Mohica
Christian Mosier
Travis Murray
Tim Ortega
Sirena Pangelinan
Austin Pennington
Matthew Poirier
Kevin Ramirez
Sierra Roach
Courtney Rudd
Samantha Sabater
Brendon Schrantz
Kali Setzer
Jack Sheehan
Kasey Sheets
Nancy Kathryn Shoaf
Brett Sommers
Cheyenne Strickland
Payton Stuart
Brandon Turner
Victoria Wagner
Shane Walker
Jasmine Wilson
Gloria Wood
Robert Ziehfreund
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.
Blue Ridge Institute and Museum Director Roddy Moore, circa 1983.
Arriving just one year after the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum was founded at Ferrum College in 1973, Roddy Moore has been the driving force of the institute, creating events, choosing direction, and collecting relicts. Today, he retires as director, although he plans to stick around to help with current endeavors such as fundraising and the famous Blue Ridge Folklife Festival in October.
“It is impossible to calculate the magnitude of Roddy’s impact on this region,” said President David Johns. “He has helped to preserve the beauty and genius of the folk arts and folk ways of the Blue Ridge and he has introduced us to forgotten treasures that still influence our lives. All of us at Ferrum College are grateful for Roddy’s many contributions throughout his long career here.”
Read more about Moore’s career in this Roanoke Times article.
Mary Carter Bishop, author of “Don’t You Ever: My Mother and Her Secret Son.”
Mary Carter Bishop believed she was an only child all her life. Well into adulthood, while applying for a passport that required a copy of her birth certificate, she discovered her mother’s secret: she was not her mother’s only child. Bishop had a half-brother named Ronnie, the product of her mother’s affair with a married man.
Eventually, Bishop was able to track down her half-brother and was shocked to discover Ronnie’s childhood was vastly different from her own, the effects from which he still suffered. Born out of Bishop’s experience came Don’t You Ever: My Mother and Her Secret Son.
On Monday, April 1, Ferrum College will host Mary Carter Bishop in a panel discussion regarding her experience, her resulting book, and how women’s options have changed since her mother’s unexpected pregnancy in 1935. This free event is open to the public and will take place in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room in Franklin Hall on campus, beginning with book sales at 6:30 p.m. and discussion following at 7 p.m. Additional panelists include Dr. Sharon Stein, professor of psychology; Dr. Allison Harl, associate professor of English; and Leya Deickman, a Ferrum College senior.
Don’t You Ever has received glowing reviews, called “brave and terrific,” by an Atlantic Journal-Constitution reviewer, and described as “lay[ing] bare the cancer of shame and its often devastating results,” by Publisher’s Weekly. Beth Macy, author of Factory Man, Truevine, and Dopesick, stated Bishop’s book is an “open-hearted and unflinching look at a family history that is equal parts love story and requiem for a brother she barely knew. [Bishop] turns her formidable investigative journalism skills inward to unearth long-simmering class and culture divides in bucolic rural Virginia.”
Bishop is a Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist and graduated from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. She was a long-time reporter for The Roanoke Times and won a George Polk Award for her series on pesticide poisonings and fraud by exterminators. Additionally, Bishop was part of the Pulitzer-Prize winning Philadelphia Inquirer team that covered the 1979 nuclear leaks at Three Mile Island, Pa. She lives in Roanoke.
Dr. Benjamin Beckham was president of Ferrum Training School from 1913-1934.
Madison Cogle, currently a senior at Washington High School in Jefferson County, West Virginia, will be the first-ever Beckham Presidential Scholarship recipient at Ferrum College.
The new Beckham Presidential Scholarship, named for Dr. Benjamin Beckham, the College’s first president (1913-1934), is awarded to students for their exemplary academic classroom achievements, leadership, and/or community service. Recipients must have a GPA of at least 3.5, with an SAT score of 1080 or higher, or an ACT score of 21 or higher. The scholarship will cover tuition and room and board, and is renewable for an additional three consecutive years.
Currently, Cogle is president of her high school’s Future Farmers of America chapter and vice president of the National Honor Society. She is also a member of Key Club, marching band, concert band, wind ensemble, percussion ensemble, and 4H. Cogle will arrive at Ferrum College in fall 2019 to study animal science. She will be a member of the College’s marching band and plans to eventually become a veterinarian.
“I learned about Ferrum at a local college fair,” explained Cogle. “It was difficult to find colleges there because my major – animal science – is so rare. I planned to come down for a Panther Preview and that day I found out about the scholarship competition.”
Cogle was drawn to Ferrum College “because of its small size but ample opportunity.” She explained, “I learn best with hands-on experiences, so I was very excited about the farm and agricultural center, as well as the study abroad opportunities. After finding out that I had received the scholarship, I felt a strong feeling that God had opened the proper doors for me to be able to attend Ferrum. This scholarship was a true blessing that I feel led me to the school that is best for me.”
Dr. Beckham once wrote to a prospective student in an undated letter, stating, “We have a wonderful school at Ferrum and it will be worth more to you to graduate at Ferrum than it would be to inherit a fortune of thousands.” His belief in Ferrum College’s students continues to live on through incoming freshman Madison Cogle.
Visit here to learn more about scholarships and financial aid at Ferrum College.
More about Dr. Benjamin Beckham: Dr. Beckham founded Ferrum Training School in 1913.Throughout his 22 years of service to the school, he maintained a compassion for students’ needs, particularly financially. In fact, he borrowed money in his and his wife’s names when Ferrum Training School desperately needed funds. In the 1920s, he traveled with glass photographic slides and a projector to showcase the school’s accomplishments; he was a true fundraiser. Dr. Beckham returned to ministry in 1935 but continued to financially support Ferrum Training School for years.
On Sunday, March 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ferrum College invites members of the community to enjoy homemade soup and bread served in
handcrafted ceramic bowls during the Empty Bowls event in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room in the College’s Franklin Hall, 215 Ferrum Mountain Road, Ferrum. For $15 (or $10 with a valid student ID), attendees are invited to choose a bowl to fill with soup, enjoy fellowship with others, and take their special “empty bowl” home. Proceeds from this event support the Panther Packs program at Ferrum Elementary School, which sends qualifying children home for the weekend with backpacks stocked with nutritious, non-perishable food.
Students, faculty, professional potters, and other area volunteers made hundreds of unique bowls for this year’s event. In addition, there will be a silent auction featuring original works of art, including paintings, jewelry, quilts and pottery, generously donated by Blue Ridge Potters Guild members and other talented local artists.
“This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Empty Bowls event,” said Nell Fredericksen, local potter and jeweler and co-coordinator of the event. “It is a true partnership between the College and the community, working to provide much needed food to children right here in our own neighborhood. I, along with Josh Manning, Ferrum College ceramics professor and Jake Smith, Ferrum College art professor, would like to express our gratitude to the students that helped make bowls, the group of professional potters that came and helped throw close to 200 bowls, all the artists that have so generously donated to the silent auction, and the sponsorship of the Blue Ridge Potters Guild. This event would not be the success it is each year without so many in our community coming together to make a difference.”
The Empty Bowls event raises over $6,000 each year and is the sole fundraiser for the Panther Packs program. It is designed to educate Ferrum College students about how they can make a positive difference in their communities through service.
To learn more about the Empty Bowls event, please visit here and here.
Senior Oliver Flood, a financial management major, assists a VITA client.
Twenty-seven Ferrum College accounting students have received training to assist with STEP’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which will be available on campus through April 11. Tax Day is April 15.
VITA, an IRS-sponsored program, provides free tax preparation assistance to those whose annual income is $55,000 or less. Sessions will be available on the Ferrum College campus in Beckham Hall, rooms 201 and 204, on Wednesdays from 4 to 9 p.m. and Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m., with the exception of March 6 and 7 when the students are away for spring break. To schedule an appointment, call STEP at 540-483-5142.
“Our students have put in a tremendous amount of effort to learn the new tax laws and regulations to properly prepare tax returns for our clients,” explained Sadie Wallace, assistant professor of accounting and VITA program director at Ferrum College. “As a whole, the group has prepared around 200 tax returns this tax season so far, with that number to increase substantially by the time April 15th arrives. This program would not be successful without the countless hours of commitment and dedication the students put in to help serve the Ferrum College community and the surrounding areas.”
Those taking advantage of this volunteer program should bring all tax-related documents, including W-2’s, photo identification, last year’s tax return, and social security cards for themselves and dependents.
Check out this Franklin News-Post article to learn more about the VITA program offered in Franklin County. Read more about STEP here.
Ferrum, VA, February 25, 2019 — Former Broadway star Brad Bass spent a month working with Ferrum College’s theatre arts students to choreograph upcoming performances of Pippin, the story of a young prince in search of true happiness and fulfillment. Performances will be in Schoolfield Hall’s Sale Theatre on campus, 305 State Route 602, Ferrum, on March 13, 14, and 15 at 7 p.m. and on March 16 at 2 p.m.
Bass is now a musical theatre artist in residence at Averett University and is on faculty at Orbit Arts Academy. Ferrum College theatre arts students and Bass worked every weekend for the past month to choreograph Pippin.
“We are overjoyed to have Brad Bass share his experience with our students,” said Giuseppe Ritorto, assistant professor of dramatic and theatre arts and musical theatre at Ferrum College. “He brings a warmth and joy to this process of directing that can only be found in someone who shares a love of teaching the theatrical skills to the next generation of performers.”
Theatre arts students have gained a new perspective through Bass’s presence on campus. “Outside of rehearsal, students have loved picking his brain about his time on Broadway in Wicked and Memphis,” Ritorto remarked. “Brad has been more than happy to indulge them.”
Brought to life by Roger O. Hirson’s book and set to music with lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Pippin is the winner of four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, and has captivated audiences throughout the world.
Ticket cost for Pippin is $5 for non-Ferrum College students and senior citizens, and $15 for adults. To reserve tickets, visit here.
Please note: this production occasionally contains strong language and adult situations that may be unsuitable for children.
Click here for a list of upcoming theatre arts performances, and here to read more about the theatre arts program at Ferrum College.
About the photograph: Brad Bass worked with theatre arts students to choreograph Pippin.
More about Bass: Brad Bass was born and raised on a tobacco farm in Ringgold, Virginia. After high school he moved to New York City, where he trained at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. He joined the Chicago production of Wicked and not long after, made his Broadway debut in the production. His other Broadway credits include the original casts of Memphis and Jersey Boys. He was in the feature film Memphis, and sang on the original cast albums of Memphis and Andrew Lippa’s A Little Princess. Bass has performed on Good Morning America, CBS Morning Show, The View, and the Tony Awards. After performing for 14 years, he realized that teaching and writing were his new creative passions. He obtained faculty positions at Averett University and Orbit Arts Academy and received a master’s in creative writing with a focus in libretto from Goddard College. He is co-writing three musicals: The Collins Boy, The Gathering of Waters, and Learning to Fly. Bass was also commissioned to write the music and lyrics for a new film adaptation of Hansel and Gretel, entitled Gretel + Hansel.
On April 1, alumnus Wilson Paine ’07 will take on his new role as vice president of Institutional Advancement at Ferrum College. Paine is no stranger to the campus; since 2009, he has served on Ferrum College’s Board of Trustees and its Alumni Board of Directors in various roles, including president and vice president.
“I’m honored to be joining President Johns and his leadership team during this exciting time at Ferrum College,” Paine remarked. “As a proud alumnus, I look forward to ‘returning home’ and working with a dedicated and talented team of alumni, faculty, staff, and friends to advance Ferrum’s mission and instill a renewed spirit of collaboration and support throughout the Ferrum community.”
“I am pleased Wilson Paine will be joining our administrative team this spring,” President David Johns said in a statement. “All of us are working to position the College for a new and exciting future; Wilson’s strategic thinking, personal integrity, gracious personality, and above all, his love for Ferrum College will make him an excellent partner as we build the relationships and resources necessary to support our students.”
Paine arrives at the institution after substantial public affairs work, most recently as a social investment officer of workforce development and director of strategic partnerships at Stand Together, a community revitalization non-profit based in Arlington, Va. He was a 2016 participant in the Sorensen Institute Political Leaders program and served as a research assistant for the General Board of Church and Society for the United Nations. Paine founded the “Service for Heroes Charity Open,” a United States Tennis Association-sponsored tennis tournament, that raised funds for veterans and their families and won the 2013 USTA Military Tennis Award.
Paine graduated summa cum laude from Ferrum College with a degree in history and holds a masters in theological studies from Harvard University. While at Ferrum College, he studied abroad at Imperial College in London, England; at Beijing Normal University in Beijing, China; and at Southern African Wildlife College in Kruger National Park, South Africa. As a student, Paine was also named First Team Academic All-American by ESPN, The Magazine and a National Scholar Athlete by Intercollegiate Tennis Association. He has received the Arthur S. Owen’s Leadership Award; the Don Scalf Award for USA South Conference Student Athlete; and the President’s Cup Award for Best Scholar-Athlete.
“Ferrum College played a transformative role in shaping my own personal, professional, spiritual, and intellectual growth, and paved the road that guided me well beyond my four years as a student,” said Paine, who looks forward to furthering the mission of the institution that gave him so much.
Read more about Paine in The Roanoke Times article here.
Gospel Fest 2019 will take place on Saturday, February 9 at 5 p.m. in Vaughn Chapel on the Ferrum College campus. This concert is open to the community and admission is free.
The event is headlined with fresh gospel music from Grammy Award contemporary gospel and R&B recording artist Rudy Currence, and emcee Chris “Minster P” Pritchett, featuring the talents of Ferrum College’s very own Fresh Wind Gospel Choir (pictured); the United Voices of God and East New Hope Church dance team, both of Danville, VA; and Longwood University’s Brothers and Sisters in Christ (B.A.S.I.C.) Gospel Choir.
Read more about Ferrum College’s Office of Spiritual Life here.
