Last month, Ferrum College’s Nursing Division Chair Kimberly Brown was selected to share her presentation, The Impact of Academic Nurse Leaders’ Toxic Behaviors on Faculty, during this fall’s Virginia Nurses Association’s virtual conference. The conference, held September 23-24, 2020, carried the theme, Ending Incivility, Bullying, & Workplace Violence.
This was Brown’s first time as a presenter at the VNA conference; however, she has attended many times in years past. She described the conference as a “robust time of growing the knowledge of nursing – each event has a theme and content experts facilitate presentations and discussion around topics that are presented.”
Brown’s presentation focused on incivility in the workplace. “As it relates to nursing or healthcare, peer to peer incivility and student to faculty incivility is well documented in scholarly literature,” she said.
“Incivility and bullying in leadership ranks is an area where there is a gap in the information. The research team identified this gap, and based on personal past experience at various institutions, we agreed that toxic or uncivil behavior among academic nurse leaders is a phenomenon that should be studied for further understanding,” Brown explained.
Because of COVID-19, the 2020 conference was held virtually and all presentations were pre-recorded.
“‘Eating our young’ is unfortunately something that nursing has been known for,” said Brown. “As an academic nursing leader, it is my goal to nurture not only students but peers and faculty alike such that they embrace growth, feel valued, and flourish into all they can be in whatever role they are in.”
Learn more about the fall 2020 VNA Conference and its presenters here.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Brown.
Learn more about Ferrum College’s nursing program here.
After holding at least eight different positions over 43 years of service to Ferrum College, alumnus and – most recently – former Director of Residence Life and Housing Chip Phillips ’77 retired at the end of June 2020.
“I will never forget all the students, co-workers, faculty, staff, and summer guests that I met and got to know over the years,” said Phillips. “I built some lifelong relationships and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work at Ferrum as long as I did.”
Phillips arrived at Ferrum College in 1973 as a Carroll County High School graduate. He earned his associates degree in 1975 and then a bachelors degree in leisure services in 1977. As a new alumnus and member of Ferrum’s second four-year graduating class, Phillips immediately stepped in to a position as residence hall director at the College.
That was when Phillips started dating his future wife, Martha Arnold. Martha, who received a bachelors degree in social work, was the very first Ferrum student to graduate in 1976 with a four-year degree from the institution.
“Martha and I knew each other as students, but really didn’t start ‘hanging out’ together until we both had graduated. Martha had been working at Ferrum for a year and I had just graduated and began working right after,” remembered Phillips.
The couple married in October 1977, bought a house on Arthur Circle, and raised their two daughters, Jennifer and Sydney, steeping their small family in Ferrum’s genuine, close-knit community.
Over the years, Phillips held various positions at the College: director of traffic and parking; director of campus safety; director of administrative services, which included telephone services, cable television, and student employment; emergency services; campus safety; director of summer programs; and director of Residence Life and Housing, “with some additional responsibilities and titles in between,” added Phillips.
On June 30, 2020 Phillips retired from his most recent post as director of Residence Life and Housing.
“We are so grateful for Chip’s leadership in the Office of Student Life, and at Ferrum College for the past 43 years,” said Dean of Student Life Nicole Lenez, who worked with Phillips for three years. “His wisdom and work ethic have been invaluable! Transitions can sometimes be painful, but Chip has left us with so much knowledge to continue doing our good work. We all wish him and Martha the best and hope that they make many memories on the beach with their grandbabies.”
“I’ll never forget the time Martha and I spent on campus,” Phillips said. “We’ve really enjoyed Ferrum athletics, especially Ferrum football. We’ve attended many of the games over 43-plus years! And we’re still in Ferrum, so we’ll continue to support the College in any way that we can.”
View photos from Phillips’ retirement celebration here. Photos are by Bob Pohlad.
The “Chip Phillips Scholarship Fund” has been created by the Office of Student Life and Engagement to honor Phillips’ years of service to the College. As a member of the Tri-Area Community Health Center Board of Directors, Phillips discovered the need for quality nurses; therefore, the scholarship seeks to support a deserving student(s) who plans to enroll in Ferrum College’s nursing program and hails from Franklin, Carroll, Floyd, Patrick, or Grayson counties.
To make a donation to the “Chip Phillips Scholarship Fund”, please visit www.ferrum.edu/giving/give-to-ferrum-college/, click the “Give Now” button, select “other” in the gift designation drop-down box, and type “Chip Phillips Scholarship Fund” in the box to designate a tribute gift.
Ferrum College is exited to announce the launch of the Appalachian Music program and its new music ensemble, Orchestra Appalachia, during a Facebook Live event on Friday, August 7, 2020 at 2 p.m. Visit Music at Ferrum College’s Facebook page here to view the recital.
The virtual recital will feature Jake Blount, Uma and Giri Peters, and After Jack’s Emily and Rachel Blankenship-Tucker. Performances will showcase the living tradition of modern old-time music.
Ferrum College’s new Appalachian Music Program, under the direction of Emily Blankenship-Tucker, welcomes all musicians, vocalists, and dancers, of any skill level, to join and celebrate the region’s rich Appalachian heritage and music while also recognizing the present time and place. The program is open to students, faculty, staff, and community members. Email ebtucker@ferrum.edu to learn more.
Dr. Ed Chappell, on right, at the Public Armoury in Colonial Williamsburg, 2010. Photo courtesy of Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
On Saturday, July 25, 2020, architectural historian and Ferrum Junior College alumnus Edward A. Chappell, Jr. passed away at the age of 71. He leaves behind his wife Susan.
Chappell was born in Farmville, VA on October 16, 1948. After graduating from then-Ferrum Junior College in 1969, Chappell earned a bachelors degree in history from the College of William and Mary in 1972, and then received his graduate degree from the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia.
As a young architectural historian, Chappell traveled through Virginia and Kentucky, mapping and recording historical sites for the Virginia Landmarks Commission and Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources. In 1980, he was hired as the Shirley and Richard Roberts director of Architectural Research and Archaeology at Colonial Williamsburg. He and other historians added numerous buildings including Charlton’s Coffeehouse, the Public Armoury, and the Market House.
When Chappell retired in 2016 after 36 years of service, he held an endowed chair at the Architectural Research Department and continued to share his expertise with other historical preservationists at Monticello, Mount Vernon, Prestwood, Drayton Hall, the Historic Charleston Foundation, and Historic Annapolis.
He was a world traveler, visiting countries like Russia, the Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Bali, China, Europe, and more. On his visits, he made drawings and notes of buildings and later donated them to the Virginia Historical Society. He imparted architectural knowledge to review boards for colonial Williamsburg as well as the College of William and Mary, eventually receiving the highest stewardship award as a token of the college’s gratitude.
Former Ferrum College Board of Trustees Chair Bob Todd offered insight on Chappell’s informed yet unassuming nature: “If you met Ed, you would not assume he was an internationally known expert on architectural history. He was soft spoken and humble and never seemed to seek the spotlight. However, when engaging him about his area of expertise, one immediately recognized his mental energy and that he was someone with highly special knowledge and experience. He also possessed a wry sense of humor and an appreciation for life and inquiry. His passing will leave a huge void here in Williamsburg and beyond. We lose a lifetime of stored knowledge, not to mention a most wonderful, down-to-earth person.”
Read Chappell’s obituary in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, here.
Ferrum College is excited to announce the creation of the Michael T. Christian ’63 Center for First-Year Experience, made possible by a generous contribution from alumnus Michael Christian.
“I made some friends at Ferrum who were serious students. As a result I became serious about succeeding in college and beyond,” said Christian, who graduated from Ferrum Junior College in 1963.
The Center will serve all incoming freshmen, including those who are the first in their families to attend college. Its goal is to integrate first-year students into college life by connecting them to an academic and social network of professors, mentors, and classmates to help them have a successful college experience. Students will also be connected to other resources at Ferrum College such as clubs, campus engagement, and career services.
“The transition from high school to college can be daunting, especially for the approximately 25 percent of our student body who are the first in their family to attend college,” said Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Relations Wilson Paine. “The Michael T. Christian ’63 Center for First-Year Experience is designed to make sure our first-year students won’t feel lost as they begin their college journey.”
“The Michael T. Christian ’63 Center for First-Year Experience is the perfect location to study and gather with other students. FYE provides students with a variety of resources to help them perform to their highest potential. These include academic coaching, events, Gateway and Freshmen Orientation courses, and much more,” said First-Year Experience Coordinator Michelle Carter.
After graduating from Ferrum Junior College, Christian went on to earn his bachelors degree from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He then commissioned into the United States Army as a second lieutenant and later discharged as a captain. After his military service, he became executive vice president of Nations Bank, now Bank of America, and served as president and chief executive officer of three additional community banks. He also chaired two United Way campaigns and was chairman of the board for Tusculum College. Christian remains involved as a consultant to an east Tennessee regional financial services company and has participated in other civic activities, including previously serving on the board of directors for the Federal Reserve Bank (Nashville branch) and the Tennessee Bankers Association.
“I attribute much of my success to Ferrum,” said Christian. “What I gained there is worth much more to me than the monetary donation I made to the school.”
“We are immensely grateful to Mike for his contribution to the Center,” said Paine. “Every day, he lives by our motto, ‘Not Self, But Others’, and is a true champion for Ferrum College students.”
Read more about the Michael T. Christian ’63 Center for First-Year Experience here.
(July 9, 2020) The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission has awarded Ferrum College $40,000 over the course of one year to help fund a cybersecurity Internet of Things (IoT) lab project for the College’s Computer Information Systems program.
“Our computer technology and information systems program has always trained students in software interfacing, network security, and hardware troubleshooting, explained Dean of Arts and Sciences, and Professor of Chemistry and Physics, Jason Powell. “By upgrading our computer hardware laboratory to the IoT Laboratory with the help of a $40,000 grant from the TRRC, Ferrum College will be able to expand training opportunities to include certificate programs and courses in human interfaces with emerging technologies in systems of interconnected devices.”
“The IoT are devices – most likely sensors, like security or smart home systems, smart cars, thermostats, even vending machines – that collect and exchange data without human-to-computer or human-to-human interaction. That data is then fed to machine-learning algorithms which convert it into knowledge to support decision-maker systems,” explained Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems Omar Darwish.
The IoT lab project will focus on designing, programming, and debugging sensors, robots, and embedded systems that can operate and interact with humans in unstructured environments.
How does this happen? “Students will learn how to attach different types of sensors to drones and rovers to explore unreachable areas,” said Darwish, who will facilitate the program’s lab work, under the direction of Dean of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Chemistry and Physics Jason Powell. “Sensors will gather data and send them to specialized processing units that have models which are built using machine learning algorithms. Finally, the model makes a decision to do specific action.”
The program is aimed toward computer science students, but students in fields such as physics or chemistry may also want to participate. If necessary, the theoretical portion of the course can be administered online; however, the practical portion must involve classroom or lab study.
“As our world becomes more and more connected the need for experts in computer technology and cybersecurity will only increase. It’s important that we take advantage of the opportunities this growing field can bring to Southern and Southwest Virginia and this program helps ensure that we are able to do so,” said Tobacco Commission Chairman Delegate Terry Kilgore.
“We are thrilled to receive such a generous grant from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Aimé Sposato. “With technology continuously progressing, this program is a must for Ferrum College’s Computer Technology and Information Systems students. We look forward to working with the Tobacco Commission to do our part in advancing cybersecurity.”
Learn more about Ferrum College’s Computer Technology and Information Systems program here.
Learn more about the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission and its work here.
Legendary Coach Hank Norton
Through gifts from family, friends, and former football players of Coach Wilbert Henry “Hank” Norton, an endowment honoring Coach Norton’s 34 years of service to Ferrum College has been established.
The endowment will support The Norton Outdoor Adventures, formerly known as Ferrum Outdoors, and will pay tribute to his love of the environment. Norton was an avid fly-fisherman and enjoyed the great outdoors in addition to coaching and mentoring student-athletes.
The program encompasses activities such as disc golf, hiking, camping, caving, skiing, biking, and paddle sports that focus on getting outside and enjoying nature, with an emphasis on safety and learning.
“Throughout our lives, Dad had a reputation as a highly respected football coach. What excites us about the establishment of this [program]…is that it honors his actions as a leading citizen-advocate for clean water and a clean environment,” wrote Norton’s children, Pattie Norton Gunter, Will Norton, and Jack Norton, in a statement of support.
“I am incredibly grateful for Coach Norton’s family as well as his former players and friends who came together to make this happen,” said Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Relations Wilson Paine. “The Norton Outdoor Adventures is a fitting tribute to Coach Norton’s contributions to Ferrum College outside of football, and this endowment solidifies Ferrum’s commitment to providing our students the opportunity to explore the natural environment and develop a deeper appreciation for the outdoors.”
Norton, who passed away on January 16, 2019 at the age of 91, has been described as tough but caring, leading Ferrum College into post-season playoff runs, winning titles, and coaching 46 All-Americans during his career at the College.
Learn more about Norton Outdoor Adventures here.
Learn more about Coach Norton here.
If you would like to donate to the Norton Outdoor Adventures program, please visit www.ferrum.edu/giving, or contact the Office of Institutional Advancement by calling 540-365-4211 or emailing advancement@ferrum.edu.
Freshman Kayla “Redd” Anderson and senior Darrian Marshall collaborated on Marshall’s single, “Dance With Me”, released on February 28.
Kayla “Redd” Anderson is a freshman from Charlotte, NC, majoring in mass communications and minoring in journalism. At the age of 18, she produces music for artists under her record label, Code Redd Records. She also distributes her own music on all platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, and more.
Anderson began doing audio work when she was in high school. “I made music but never really wanted people to hear it,” she explained. “I was 15; I just did it for me to listen to it.” Although she enjoyed making music, her passion was basketball: “I wanted to play basketball, so I put music behind me because the future looked bright for playing basketball.”
Unfortunately, Anderson lost her position on the basketball team right before Thanksgiving during her senior year in high school. To fill her time, she began working at a fast food restaurant but wanted to do more. She offered to produce music for other students at her high school which reignited her passion for doing audio work.
At Ferrum College, Anderson completed a mixtape dubbed Redd’s World in the fall of 2019. “It was just a bunch of songs that I made and then I thought to just turn it into a mixtape,” said Anderson. “It was mainly about where I’m from and having fun; just being positive.”
Recently, she worked with Ferrum College senior Darrian Marshall ’20 to compile his first album which includes a variety of musical genres such as pop, dance, R&B, and New Orleans bounce. Although Marshall’s album isn’t available yet, his single, Dance With Me, was released on February 28, 2020.
“We made the song within three hours,” explained Anderson. “Darrian made the process very easy. He was already prepared and very professional. I’m looking forward to working on more projects with Darrian and our fellow peers.”
“Working with Redd has been such a breeze. The recording process for my whole album is so much easier when a producer like Redd knows exactly what I want. Within the first hour of recording Dance With Me, Redd and I felt as though we had been working with each other forever,” said Marshall.
Anderson’s work doesn’t end there. She’s also releasing another mixtape, CODE REDD, on all platforms on March 15, 2020.
Hear Anderson’s audio work on Marshall’s new single, Dance With Me, here. Dance With Me is also out on Apple Music and Spotify.
Director of Athletics John Sutyak
Director of Athletics John Sutyak reflected on his first two months in his new role with a letter of introduction to Ferrum College alumni.
Dear Ferrum Panther Alumni,
As I sit in the Norton Center, it is hard to believe that I have been here now over two months as the Director of Athletics at Ferrum College. It is also unfathomable that I would be sitting here in the last half of March with no contests being played and the season suspended indefinitely. The events in our world due to COVID-19 have certainly forced us to reevaluate how we live and work. It has been a life altering experience for all.
With that said, I couldn’t be more thankful to be a part of the Ferrum family during these turbulent times. The welcome I have received from alumni, faculty, and staff upon my arrival was nothing short of tremendous and has only solidified the feeling I experienced when I first came to Ferrum on my interview. This truly is a special place and I am so glad to have joined the Ferrum community.
My initial days on Ferrum Mountain Road were filled with an enormous amount of support from campus leadership, faculty, and staff. It is clear how important the intercollegiate athletic experience is on campus and I am honored to have the opportunity to work with so many talented coaches and staff members. I have been intentional in engaging our athletics and campus staff, faculty, and student-athletes to learn what it is that makes the Ferrum athletic experience special. Additionally, I have learned how we can further enhance our work as a department, and college, in delivering a student-athlete experience that is second to none.
Being present as Ferrum announced the start of a track and field program was a great way to begin my tenure here and I am thankful for the work that Head Cross Country Coach Mark White and Interim Athletic Director Gary Holden did in getting that program started. Since then, I had the privilege to experience some fantastic performances on the playing surfaces. I was able to witness numerous school records in the pool at the ODAC swimming & diving championships, observe Alisha Elizalde ’20 become our first all-American in women’s wrestling, see the men’s wrestling team win a fifth consecutive Southeast Wrestling Conference championship (and have two men qualify for the NCAA championship), watch men’s basketball advance to its first ever ODAC playoff at the Salem Civic Center, and experience the softball team achieve a national top-25 ranking. I have no doubt that with the support of the campus, and you all as our alumni, we will continue to witness great things out of future Panther teams in the years to come.
I won’t lie: the last few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster. While we all know that suspending the season under the blanket of a global pandemic was the right thing to do, it has been difficult for all of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff to see the spring season suspended indefinitely. Despite the current disappointment, I have been inspired by the level of resilience and perspective of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff. They all know that it is OK to be disappointed at a season being disrupted, but they also haven’t lost sight of the seriousness we face as a world right now and that the health and safety of everyone is of the utmost importance.
Our President, Dr. David Johns, likes to remind us that “Ferrum” means “iron”. And it is in that vein that I remind us that all Ferrum Panthers – past, present and future – are resilient, strong, and tough as iron. My pledge to you is that we will work nonstop to continue to the proud tradition of Panther athletics, even in these tough times. As things go back to a more normal pace in the near future, my hope is that I will have the opportunity to interact with all of you, our alumni. I look forward to meeting many of you and learning about your Ferrum experience in the coming months.
Stay safe and healthy out there and Go Panthers!
John Sutyak
Director of Athletics
Ferrum College and NRCC signed an articulation agreement today to offer a pathway to four-year degrees for NRCC transfer students. Pictured from left to right: Ferrum College Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs Aimé Sposato; Ferrum College President David Johns; NRCC President Patricia Huber; & NRCC Vice President for Instruction & Student Services Peter Anderson. NRCC photo.
Ferrum College and New River Community College (NRCC) signed an agreement on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, guaranteeing admission into Ferrum College for NRCC students who have received an associate degree. In addition, as part of the Ferrum Promise initiative which was rolled out in November 2019, Ferrum College also pledges that these NRCC students will be able to graduate with a four-year degree in their field of study within two years of transfer to Ferrum, or tuition for their remaining coursework will be free.
“Ferrum College is delighted to begin working with New River Community College to provide a pathway for NRCC students to obtain a bachelor’s degree in two years as our Ferrum Promise guarantees,” said Ferrum College President David Johns. “Both our institutions are committed to our students’ futures and to providing the resources they need for innovative and meaningful work.”
“NRCC is pleased to partner with Ferrum College to provide this new opportunity to our local students. In addition to our existing articulation agreement with Ferrum that allows NRCC students to transfer easily, the Ferrum Promise goes one step further to help students stay on track and be successful on their journey to earn a four-year degree,” said NRCC President Pat Huber. “Today is an exciting day for NRCC students, and this is a great way for them to complete their pathway to success.”
The memorandum of agreement states that acceptance at Ferrum College will require NRCC students to have maintained a cumulative overall GPA of 2.3 or higher, and earned a grade of “C” or higher in required courses applicable to the program they choose to enter. Additionally, NRCC students must have earned either an Associate of Arts and Sciences or an Associate of Applied Science degree prior to acceptance at Ferrum.
The agreement was signed on the NRCC campus by Huber and Johns, along with Vice President for Instruction and Student Services Peter Anderson, and Ferrum College Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Aimé Sposato.
“Our partnership with New River Community College illustrates both of our institutions’ commitment to our students,” said Sposato. “Higher education is changing and our methods of providing a top-notch education must also change to help our students start making a difference in the world sooner than later. We are honored to partner with NRCC for this opportunity.”
Learn more about Ferrum College’s Ferrum Promise here.
Learn more about New River Community College here.
On Monday, February 10, 2020, the Tri-Area Community Health Center opened its new facility on Ferrum Mountain Road across the street from Ferrum College. The facility will serve the local community as well as Ferrum College students.
Previously, the health center was housed in the basement of Vaughn Chapel on the College’s campus. The new $6 million facility is 17,000 square feet with 15 patient rooms, two treatment rooms, X-ray capabilities, and a pharmacy. It was partially funded by a $1 million grant under the Health Infrastructure Investment Program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The rest of the financing will be provided through the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office.
“The larger clinic and pharmacy space will allow us to see more people and provide more services,” said Tri-Area Community Health Center’s chief executive officer James Werth, Jr. “The staff here are committed to making a positive difference in people’s lives. We are looking forward to continuing to serve Ferrum, Franklin County, and surrounding communities for decades to come.”
Visit Tri-Area Community Health Center’s website to learn more.
Read more about the new facility in this Franklin News-Post article.
A group of Ferrum College alumni and friends will travel to Rome, Italy this July 24 – 31, 2020.
The group, consisting of about eight to twelve people led by Ferrum College’s Assistant Professor of Religion Eric Vanden Eykel, will arrive in Rome on July 23. Their exploration of the Eternal City will begin on July 24, with authentic cuisine and visits to museums, archaeological sites, and churches.
Vanden Eykel has visited Rome before and will serve as the group’s tour guide. At Ferrum College, he teaches courses in biblical studies, archaeology, the historical Jesus, and world religions. He received his Ph.D. in Judaism and Christianity from Antiquity from Marquette University in Milwaukee in 2014. He also holds a Master of Art in biblical studies from Marquette and a Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta.
Priority registration for alumni began on January 31, 2020. Registration to all interested parties will open on March 1, 2020.
To register, visit here.
Learn more about the trip here.
See photos from Vanden Eykel’s May 2019 trip to Rome here.
