As a Sam Houston State University graduate student earning a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in emergency management and coordination, alumna Victoria Miller ’18 is also beginning a new journey as an intern in NASA’s Pathways Program.
The Pathways Program provides an opportunity for current students to work, explore a career, and further NASA’s goals and mission, all while continuing their education. Learn more about the program here.
On August 17, 2020, Miller began working in the Office of Procurement for Operations Support at NASA-Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. Her duties include covering contracts, task orders, and proposals, and analyzing orders for several different departments including flight operations, safety missions, SpaceX, and Boeing.
“My first week at NASA has been unique for sure,” said Miller. “The whole agency is facing new obstacles with everyone being virtual. It’s been fun, busy, challenging, exciting, and eye opening for me. I am constantly learning new material and getting to build new relationships, and I’m very excited to see what the future holds for me at NASA.”
Miller is a 2018 Ferrum College magna cum laude graduate. She received her undergraduate degree in political science with a minor in business administration. During her time at Ferrum, she was a member of the women’s wrestling team, the women’s tennis team, and the Boone Honors Program.
Miller said her experiences at Ferrum College had a lasting impact on her. “I went on an E-term to Mexico City,” she said. “The greatest memory I have from that trip was when we visited an orphanage and we taught the children there how to do different play dough art projects with our cameras. The children were so sweet, kind, and happy to have us there. They danced and sang for us. I remember how happy they were even though they have a difficult life. It was the best experience I have ever had.”
“There are so many things to love about Ferrum,” Miller continued. “Being 1,200 miles away from home, I could always count on my Ferrum friends and family to be there for me. Ferrum gave me experiences I never dreamed of, and the family and friends I’ve always wished for.”
Now, Miller is back in her hometown of League City, TX, just a few minutes from her Pathways internship in Houston. She lives there with her husband Hunter, and their boxer terrier mix Noel. In her free time, Miller enjoys weight lifting, painting, reading books, planting succulents, and playing board games and corn hole with her family and friends.
UPIKE President Burton Webb, UPIKE Provost Lori Werth, Ferrum College Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs Aimé Sposato, and Ferrum College President David Johns.
In July 2020, Ferrum College and the University of Pikeville (UPIKE) entered into an agreement to provide access to a Master of Social Work degree to Ferrum students.
“Those who make social work a career are special individuals, and knowing that our partnership will play a part in helping those students further their education with a graduate degree is very fulfilling,” said Ferrum College President David Johns.
This agreement is the second in Ferrum and UPIKE’s history together. The two institutions began their initial partnership in September 2019, when UPIKE pledged to reserve one seat each academic year in its Doctor of Optometry program for a Ferrum College student who meets all early admissions criteria.
For UPIKE’s Master of Social Work program, the university has again agreed to reserve one seat each academic year for a Ferrum College student who meets all early admissions requirements. UPIKE’s offer of admission is open to Ferrum students who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work, as well as those who have earned a bachelor’s degree in any other field of study, provided that those students have 21 credit hours in liberal studies.
“We are fortunate to have such great partners at the University of Pikeville,” Johns continued, “and we are pleased to collaborate with them again to provide new opportunities for our students. This pandemic has highlighted the important role social workers play in holding together the fabric of our society. I am grateful we will be working together to prepare our students for this critical career.”
“Ferrum College and the University of Pikeville are committed to finding additional ways to grow our partnership,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Aimé Sposato. “Our memorandum of understanding regarding the Master of Social Work program at UPIKE will build yet another pathway for Ferrum College students to excel in their purpose.”
UPIKE’s Master of Social Work program is delivered online with courses offered year-round so that students may continue to work while obtaining their degree. The masters program offers a 30-hour advanced standing option for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in social work, and a 60-hour program for students who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work, or who completed a social work degree in a non-accredited program. All accepted students are required to have at least a 3.0 GPA.
“Our agreement with the University of Pikeville will help Ferrum College graduates press forward in their education to live out our College’s motto, Not Self, But Others,” said Dean of Health Professions and Social Sciences Angie Dahl. “There is a great need for social workers across our region, so we are thrilled to continue building our strong partnership with UPIKE to make these opportunities available to our students.”
“We are very excited by this opportunity to formally connect with UPIKE’s Master of Social Work program,” said Associate Professor of Social Work Martha Haley-Bowling. “Students will have the opportunity to attend a top notch MSW program to further their educational and career goals.”
Learn more about Ferrum College’s social work program here.
Learn more about UPIKE’s Master of Social Work program here.
(August 5, 2020) After COVID . . . What?
What awaits on the other side of COVID-19? We have all thought about it, whether out of weariness or a need to plan ahead. But, while we have imagined it, an answer is nowhere in sight.
It seems premature to ask the question because no one knows where we are on the timeline of the pandemic. If we have a vaccine in early 2021, five or six months from now, then at best we are only half way through. But are we closer to the end of the middle, or God forbid, the beginning? Regardless, it is worth thinking about what lies beyond COVID-19 since, sooner or later, we will be there.
I have two concerns and two hopes as I think about our Post-COVID future.
My first concern is that social distancing will lead to social isolation.
We need to maintain physical distance to slow the spread of the virus. In order to do so, many businesses have sent employees home, schools have transitioned to online instruction, and communities have postponed or canceled events that often bring us together.
But distance leads to isolation when we forget the simple acts of common life. We have learned over the last few months that many of our regular activities and meetings can be conducted virtually. But how can we assure that community life thrives, and how can we be sure we are building a Post-pandemic life worth living?
My second concern is that by the time we reach the other side of COVID-19, we will have become an America fractured beyond recognition. Between daily gaslighting and politicizing this pandemic, a wedge is being driven into an already cavernous divide. The wedge is between two impulses at the heart of the American psyche – compassion for the Other, and individual liberty.
At our best, Americans are generous people. We are present during crises at home and abroad, and we have given much for the sake of others. Yet, Americans can be stubbornly independent, regarding liberty as a license to do anything we want. Generally, we balance both impulses according to circumstance and need, but this wedge causes extremism leaving little room for compromise or restraint.
Yet, in spite of these concerns, I have two hopes.
First, many things that were important a half year ago, seem less so today. The pandemic has kept us close to home, close to family, and close to those things as the center of our lives. Some of what consumed our time and resources, have faded into the background.
It can takes years to achieve the pared down lifestyle thrust upon us in just a few months. While it was uninvited and threw us off balance, we are living reprioritized lives, a little more grounded, and a lot less distracted.
Thus, my first hope is that we maintain this hard eared perspective; if we can, then we will have gained something meaningful in exchange for the havoc this pandemic has brought us.
My second hope is that COVID-19 will renew our commitment to each other and to the common good.
We have been reminded that airborne pathogens do not seek permission before crossing barriers we erect. We have learned that reckless personal conduct causes lasting damage. And, we are learning that simple gestures, like wearing a mask in public, saves lives and slows a virus.
Much of what makes our communities livable, from good roads, to schools and parks, to clean water, to healthcare are goods that benefit us all. Our wellbeing is wrapped up together, so if we want a good life for ourselves after COVID-19, we need to invest in each other. Our lives may run in different directions, but we all breathe the same air.
I’m not sure what lies on the other side of COVID-19, but whatever it is, it will not be something that simply happens to us. That’s not the way the future works. The future is something we create through our passion, our imagination, and our commitment.
So, while it may seem a little early to speculate about what comes after COVID-19, we have work to do now. Allowing isolation and division to flourish will result in a future worse than any pandemic; however, if we stay grounded in what is important and lasting, and if we focus on the goods common to us all, we will build a Post-COVID future worth living.
This column by President David Johns appeared in The Roanoke Times and The Franklin News-Post. President Johns may be reached at president@ferrum.edu.
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.
Director of Athletics John Sutyak has written the following letter to the Ferrum College community announcing Ferrum Athletics’ updated plans for fall 2020:
Dear Ferrum Community,
In conjunction with the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) announcement this afternoon, Ferrum College will not compete in any external athletic competition before January 1, 2021, due to the ongoing health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we will not bring students back for pre-season early in August, Ferrum College intends to move forward with on-campus training, conditioning and practices within our athletic programs to the full extent that will be allowed under NCAA rules and regulations throughout the fall semester. We intend for our fall sport programs to compete in regular season competition in the spring of 2021, alongside our traditional winter and spring sports.
Since last spring, the entire athletics staff has been preparing for the safe return of our student-athletes. We had worked to ensure best practices using a combination of resources, notably the NCAA Core Principles of Resocialization of College Sport. However, with the growing public health threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the new NCAA best practices of how to safely provide a full intercollegiate experience, it became clear that we could no longer adequately deliver the full experience that our student-athletes deserve this semester.
It is important to note that Ferrum is not canceling sports this fall. In working to provide proper training, conditioning and practice opportunities we will continue to utilize best practices that are laid out by the NCAA, CDC and other health agencies. The Ferrum College administration has every intention of having our student-athletes return to competition after the new year as allowed within NCAA and ODAC rules and assuming local, state and national regulations allow us to do so. We will continue to work with our colleagues in the ODAC, and all of Division III, to explore all of the opportunities that will be possible for our student-athletes.
This has been an unprecedented, and challenging year. Like all of you, we here at Ferrum yearn for the return of collegiate athletics, especially here on Ferrum Mountain Road. Although this is a setback that we had hoped would be avoidable, the Ferrum athletics staff will now shift its focus into providing the best student-athlete experience we can this fall, with our eyes on returning to outside competition in the spring.
The greatest joy I have as an athletic director is watching our student-athletes compete and work toward achieving their goals. It hurts that for the second time in the past five months I am delivering the news that we won’t be competing as we had intended. It can be tough to find the silver lining in this news, however I continue to be bolstered and encouraged by the passion and energy of the coaching, athletic training and administrative staff within Ferrum College athletics, as well as all around campus. Despite what seems like the longest “off-season” in the history of collegiate athletics, it is that energy and enthusiasm that encompasses who we are and why we will continue to remain Ferrum Strong!
Stay healthy, stay safe and Go Panthers!
Sincerely,
John Sutyak
Director of Athletics
Despite a spring semester that was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the cancelation of the spring athletic season, Ferrum College is celebrating a substantial increase in unrestricted giving to the Ferrum Fund and to Ferrum athletics.
“We asked our alumni and friends for support, and they responded in an overwhelming way,” said Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Relations Wilson Paine ’07.
For fiscal year 2020 (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020), the College saw a 33% increase in giving to the Ferrum Fund compared to last year, with close to 900 donations totaling over $400,000. Additionally, donations to athletics increased by 40% with gifts exceeding $140,000 from over 500 donors, which is double the donors from last year.
“It is extremely exciting to achieve this accomplishment during such a difficult and unexpected year,” said Director of Athletics John Sutyak, who arrived at the College in January of this year. “I’m continually impressed by our loyal supporter base and their commitment to Ferrum athletics and our student-athletes.”
Along with Ferrum’s dedicated donors and the addition of corporate sponsorship opportunities, Sutyak credits the increase in athletic giving to his coaching staff; Assistant Director of Athletics and Sports Information Director Gary Holden, and the institutional advancement staff, particularly Paine, Director of Development Bart Smith, and Director of Annual Giving Crystal Gibson.
Gifts to the Ferrum Fund go to a variety of programs at the College, including scholarships, academic programs, and student support. Ferrum Fund dollars help provide aid to students who may no longer have the means to continue their education due to financial hardships created by COVID-19.
“This is a great victory for Ferrum College and Ferrum athletics. We are grateful to our alumni, parents, and supporters who made gifts despite the shortened spring season and other challenges,” said Paine.
To learn how to support Ferrum athletics and the Ferrum Fund, and for more information about corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact Wilson Paine at wpaine@ferrum.edu or 540-365-4211.
Learn more about the Ferrum Fund here, and more about Ferrum athletics here.
[rev_slider slidertitle=”communications” alias=”communications”]Ferrum College began communicating with the campus community about the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on March 6, 2020. These communications are archived below. To view more recent communications posted since August 1, 2020, please click here.
August 24, 2020 11:01 a.m.
During this difficult, unsettled time on campus, we want to remind everyone of our shared responsibility to all members of the College community, including those faculty and staff who have children at home.
The College’s policy concerning children in the workplace is as follows: “Ferrum College encourages the families of our employees to participate in College-sponsored activities and be a part of the campus community. However, an adult must accompany children not participating in an organized activity. Employees are not permitted to bring children to work with them due to the interruption it may cause in the workplace and potential liability issues.”
Employees who bring a child to campus for any reason acknowledge, as per our policy, that their child must be accompanied by an adult at all times. In addition, due to the risks of COVID-19, these employees assume all responsibility for their child, including any illness resulting from them being on campus.
Cordially yours,
Chris
August 14, 2020 9:19 a.m.
On August 12, 2020, we received a report of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 on campus. The case involves a staff member who is self-isolating and recovering well after experiencing mild symptoms. The individual shared that they did not think the exposure occurred on campus.
The individual has been self-isolating since Monday, August 10 when symptoms first appeared and has been instructed to remain off campus until cleared to return to work by a physician or testing site and have been cleared by the Office of Human Resources.
The Virginia Department of Health has been informed and will communicate with members of the community who may have been in close contact with the individual who tested positive. Being in ‘close contact’ is defined as living with a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19; providing care for a person with the virus; being within six feet of a person diagnosed with the virus for a least 15 minutes; or having exposure to respiratory secretions (for example, being coughed or sneezed on, sharing a drinking glass or utensils, kissing, etc.).
For the past several months, we have been taking proactive measures with strict, regimented cleaning and disinfecting schedules, and we will continue those efforts. We are grateful that this individual followed the College’s health guidelines, including wearing a face-covering when on campus.
As we prepare for the fall semester, this news is a reminder of the responsibility each of us has in keeping our campus safe and healthy. I encourage you to visit our Stronger Together website where you will learn about our reopening plans, cleaning standards and protocols, and what to do should you test positive for COVID-19. We are updating this site daily and it will serve as our main source for campus updates and new information.
I am deeply grateful for the work we have done to prepare our campus community for this moment. It has become cliché to say that this is an unprecedented time, but it is nevertheless true. But unprecedented does not mean alone. If you have questions related to our return to campus or the plans and procedures outlined on the website, please do not hesitate to reach out to your supervisor or the Office of Human Resources.
Updated: August 13, 2020
Section 18004(c) of the CARES Act requires institutions to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received from Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). Accordingly, the following information must appear in a format and location that is easily accessible to the public 30 days after the date when the institution received its allocation under 18004(a)(1) and updated every 45 days thereafter:
RESPONSE: Ferrum College signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement on May 4, 2020. The College has used no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
RESPONSE: Ferrum College received $836,808 on May 13, 2020 from the Department pursuant to the College’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. This amount represented 50% of the total amount of funds received by the College under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
RESPONSE: The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of August 13, 2020 is $834,472. This has not changed from the June 29, 2020 response.
The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
RESPONSE: The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as of March 13, 2020 was 900.
RESPONSE: The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of August 13, 2020 is 859. This number has not changed from the June 29, 2020 response.
RESPONSE: In determining the grant amount for each student, the College used the following formula:
Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
RESPONSE: All instructions, directions and guidance provided to students concerning the CARES Act Emergency Grants for Students have been posted on this Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates page. See specifically messages dated May 12, June 25, and June 29 from Barbara Hatcher, Vice President for Business and Finance, which are archived here.
Good morning Ferrum Family,
On a note about reopening at Ferrum, we will soon begin slowly releasing our plans. We are being very intentional and watching the data in planning with the subcommittees – this doesn’t always lend well with a quick release but we will do our best to get you all what you need in as timely a manner as possible.
Can’t wait to see you all soon! Wash your hands!
Nicole
Hello Ferrum Family!
Sending so much love! Stay healthy, Ferrum Family!
Nicole
Dear Ferrum College Family,
Effective immediately, all College faculty and staff must follow the following measures concerning the wearing of cloth face coverings:
1. Faculty and staff must have a face covering with them when working on campus.
2. The College strongly encourages faculty and staff who are working on campus to begin wearing face coverings in the workplace on a daily basis and, as much as is feasible, practice social distancing.
3. Faculty and staff must wear face coverings when interacting with others on campus and when at least six feet of social distancing cannot be maintained.
4. Direct any questions regarding the above to the College’s Pandemic Coordinator, Nicole Lenez, or to the Human Resources Office.
Cordially,
Chris
Hello Ferrum Family!
I hope you are doing well ahead of the holiday weekend! I wanted to send you an update on where we are in Virginia and some reminders to keep yourself as healthy as possible.
VDH:
VA total positive cases: 62,203
Roanoke city total positive cases: 438
Roanoke County total positive cases: 253
Henry County total positive cases: 264
Franklin County total positive cases: 91 (avg. 5.1 new cases a day over the last 7 days)
Travel:
Phase 3:
Tomorrow I will share the guidance if you are found in close contact with someone who tests positive and/or if you test positive for our community reference.
Stay safe and healthy everyone!
Nicole
Updated: June 30, 2020
Ferrum’s historic campus is open to the public and guests are welcome to enjoy outdoor spaces as long as they maintain physical distancing standards (6 feet) and avoid gathering in groups larger than allowed by Franklin County and Commonwealth of Virginia laws (currently 25 individuals or less). Guests who would like access to indoor spaces must set up an appointment with the appropriate office they are looking to visit.
Ferrum continues to welcome to campus prospective students and their families. Appointments must be set up in advance by contacting the Office of Admission at admission@ferrum.edu or 1-800-868-9797. When visiting campus, please report to the Office of Admissions (Spilman-Daniel House) upon your arrival. Before and upon arrival, you will be informed about the campus physical distancing protocols and requirements for protective face coverings.
Prospective student-athletes can arrange visits through the appropriate coach. Athletic staff information can be accessed here: https://ferrumpanthers.com/information/directory/index
All visitors to campus should wear a mask when meeting with members of the campus community, including college staff, faculty, or students. If visitors to campus are not meeting with a member of the campus community, they should follow their company’s public safety protocols and the recommended public health guidelines issued by the Virginia Department of Health.
Non-emergency work is prohibited in Clark Hall (summer housing) by outside contractors at this time.
Updated: June 30, 2020
Section 18004(c) of the CARES Act requires institutions to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received from Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). Accordingly, the following information must appear in a format and location that is easily accessible to the public 30 days after the date when the institution received its allocation under 18004(a)(1) and updated every 45 days thereafter:
1. An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
RESPONSE: Ferrum College signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement on May 4, 2020. The College has used no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
RESPONSE: Ferrum College received $836,808 on May 13, 2020 from the Department pursuant to the College’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. This amount represented 50% of the total amount of funds received by the College under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).
RESPONSE: The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of June 29, 2020 is $834,472.
4. The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
RESPONSE: The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as of March 13, 2020 was 900.
5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
RESPONSE: The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of June 29, 2020 is 859. Due to eligibility requirements, this amount has been updated from 865 that was originally reported on the May 12, 2020 post.
6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
RESPONSE: In determining the grant amount for each student, the College used the following formula:
7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
RESPONSE: All instructions, directions and guidance provided to students concerning the CARES Act Emergency Grants for Students have been posted on this Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates page. See specifically messages dated May 12 and June 25 from Barbara Hatcher, Vice President for Business and Finance.
All,
We are preparing for a semester unlike any in the history of Ferrum College. Life on campus will be different than it has been in the past, and each of us will need to do our part in making sure we stay safe and healthy, and that we have the greatest experience possible.
The Panther Nation is resilient and creative, and this will serve us well in the weeks ahead.
In preparation for the opening of campus for the 2020-21 academic year, we reached out to our students with a survey about their return to campus. The survey indicated that students intend to return to campus in August for in-seat instruction with social distancing protocols in place. Our Provost, Dr. Aimé Sposato, has assembled a team to create new opportunities for learning and with the potential for a prolonged period of social distancing required by state and federal agencies. Ferrum College must remain nimble for any eventualities this fall. With this in mind, our first day of Fall semester begins on Tuesday, August 25. The Fall and Spring semesters will be separated into two terms: Fall I and II and Spring I and II.
By dividing each semester into two, 7-week terms and making each course a Hybrid course (50% face-to-face instruction), we are able to meet the needs of all of members of our community and remain as flexible as possible. Every one of our faculty will have completed intensive an Online Teaching Certification so they will be ready to provide a high-quality instruction both in the classroom and online.
To be full-time, a student must be registered for both terms and for a minimum of 12 credits and a maximum of 19 credits spread between the two 7-week terms. Faculty are adjusting students’ schedules so everyone is registered for the appropriate courses. With the Fall semester ending before Thanksgiving, students will be able to register for the 7-week online Winter Term if they wish to catch-up or push ahead. Spring Term classes begin on January 19.
We are committed to the health and safety of our community and are working carefully to adhere to all state and federal guidelines as we modify our classrooms, labs, common areas in the Library, and the Carter Center for Academic Success, performance spaces, and other high traffic areas for social distancing and sanitizing protocols. We are also considering adding teleconferencing and live-streaming capabilities in more of our classrooms.
In the next several days, we will release our comprehensive return to campus plan that addresses everything from athletics, to housing, to social distancing, to quarantine, to campus move-in, to dining, and more. We are following guidelines provided by the Governor’s office, the CDC, and the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia.
We have a task force in place that includes faculty and staff, Aladdin Dining, Tri-Area Community Health Center, Franklin County Public Safety, and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). This team is finalizing our plans for fall.
We are eager to welcome you to campus, whether you have been here for years, or whether you are new to the Panther family. This is a community that takes care of one another, and I am confident that by working together, we will have a fabulous fall semester!
David L. Johns, Ph.D.
President
Dear Students,
We continue to hope that you and your families are well and safe during this uncertain time.
This correspondence is an update to the letter dated May 12, 2020 regarding the disbursement of emergency grants for students as part of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds. Disbursements for eligible full-time students occurred mid-May. Disbursements for part-time students were delayed until June 19, 2020 to allow further review of eligibility status. Upon further review, we determined that some part-time students, including dual enrolled students, were not eligible to receive grant funds. Because our original calculation for the amount each student would receive included these students, we have approximately $2,300.00 of funding available for a few additional small emergency grants.
If you previously received an emergency grant from the College and have had expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care) that exceed the amount that you received from the first disbursement, please send your request for additional funds along with supporting documentation to my attention at the address below. The deadline for submitting your request is August 1, 2020.
Ferrum College
PO Box 1000
Ferrum, VA 24088
Attn: Barbara Hatcher
The amount of each funding award will depend on the number of requests received by the deadline and the supporting documentation of each request. We will send an email to your Ferrum College email account by August 31, 2020, indicating the status of your request.
We are looking forward to welcoming you back to campus in August!
Sincerely,
Barbara Hatcher
Vice President for Business and Finance
Hello Ferrum Family!
*We may begin to see a bit of an increase this week from those who travelled and hung out Memorial Day Weekend*
USA (per CDC):
We have also established a COVID19 task force which will help us determine how to best safely reopen in the fall. This task force is chaired by myself and John Sutyak. We have split into 6 subcommittees which are looking at many areas across campus. I am thrilled to share that the Virginia Health Department and Tri Area are participating with us on those as well!
Hopefully I covered everything but if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Hello Ferrum Family!
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Stay safe!
Nicole
Hello Ferrum Family!
There is a lot of fatigue in the country (and probably the world) around COVID-19 information (information overload?). This is totally normal. No matter what our feelings were at the time this all started, the whole incident and quick nature of this crisis probably caused all of us some level of trauma. If you are feeling fatigued following it all, you are not alone – I will continue to try to update you on the most relevant advances and information as I can without bombarding you daily.
This is also a great time to take some inventory of how you are feeling, and address those. Take a day if you need to or a few days to process and heal and see what your body and brain and heart needs right now. If you need help, want to talk, and/or want to be connected with a resource, please feel free to reach out!
Virginia Department of Health:
Campus:
Food insecurity (Can also be utilized by faculty, staff, students, or loved ones- whoever needs it!):
Nicole
Dear Students,
The CARES Act, signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020, provides $2 trillion in broad-based economic relief in response to the COVID-19 national pandemic. The Act includes $14 billion for all sectors of higher education to provide direct assistance to institutions of higher education to respond to student and campus needs related to the crisis. Ferrum College signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the Department of Education on May 5, 2020. The Act directs that half of the funds received by Ferrum College must be used for emergency grants for students who are eligible for federal financial aid. Ferrum College received $836,808 to distribute as emergency grants for students.
Approximately 900 Ferrum College students were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. Of the approximately 900 students eligible to participate, 865 students will receive the grant.
In determining the grant amount for each student, the College used the following formula:
DOE requires that the student funds be used to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).
Once the College receives the funds from the DOE, we will work diligently to provide the grant to our students in the form of a check. We hope to complete these transactions within the next three weeks.
We hope this emergency grant provides some financial relief to our students and families. We encourage all our students to remain in contact with the College’s Office of Student Life to learn about additional support and resources available. Stay safe and well!
Sincerely,
Barbara D. Hatcher
Vice President for Business and Finance
Good morning Ferrum Family,
I hope this email finds you and your loved ones healthy and safe.
Please, let us know if we can do anything to help you and your family during this time.
Sending lots of love,
Nicole
Hello Ferrum Family!
I hope this email finds you well and wrapping up all that end of the semester stuff!
CDC:
Happy weekend Ferrum Family!
I hope the wrapping up of the semester is going well. If you are like me, weekends weirdly don’t really feel all that weekend-y and you are spending a good part of your days asking “wait, what day is it?” 🙂 Brighter days are ahead!
VA Department of Health
Center for Disease Control
Campus Updates
Please, let us know if we can do anything to help you and your family during this time. Thank you all for your neverending understanding, patience, and for looking out for out community.
Sending lots of love,
Nicole
Hello Ferrum Family,
This is a really great way for you, or someone you know to get easy answers to some of our biggest questions right now! Please share widely!
And your COVID19 numbers update for the day:
VA: 14,339 positive cases, 492 deaths
Franklin County: 20 cases, 3 hospitalizations
Roanoke City: 35 cases, 5 hospitalizations
Roanoke County: 41 cases, 1 hospitalization
Stay at home if you are able, wear a face covering if you need to go out for essential tasks, and wash those hands! We are helping out our hospitals right now by slowing things down!
Hope this email finds you and your loved ones well. Let us know if you need anything!
Nicole
Hello!
We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation in these uncertain times. As you know we have been watching the news diligently and doing our best to keep our community safe. We hope that you and your loved ones are well. This message is for residential students who still have belongings in their residence hall room.
We are beginning to allow students to return to campus for their belongings a few students per residence hall at a time to limit exposure. Please note, students whose belongings are in Clark and Dyer will be invited to return after the semester and move out is complete. There are currently students living in those halls.
Building Access at the time of your appointment:
Check out instructions:
If you have already moved out of your space but forgot to return you key(s), they can be mailed to:
Residence Life & Housing
Ferrum College
PO Box 1000
Ferrum, VA 24088
Any keys not returned will have replacements made and charged to the student’s account.
Please pay attention to the CDC travel guidelines and restrictions of your state or community. If it is unsafe or not allowed for you to travel at this time, we will keep your belongings in your room. Please choose what is safest for you and your loved ones. By no means is this a mandatory event at this time – we simply have had a lot of inquiries about returning for belongings and wish to accommodate those as safely as possible. We appreciate your flexibility and patience. If you have any questions, please contact studentlife@ferrum.edu.
Thank you so much, stay safe, and keep washing your hands!
Student Life & Engagement
We miss you all so much! Wash your hands!
Sending lots of love!
Hello Ferrum Family,
I hope this email finds you and your loved ones well! I wanted to reach out with a few updates and clarifications.
COVID19 (these numbers are cumulative and include those who have been released from quarantine):
CDC
Governor Northam Press Conference yesterday:
Campus:
Sending lots of love to you all! I hope you know how much you are missed!
Wash your hands!!
Nicole
Good Afternoon Ferrum Family,
Happy Saturday Ferrum Family,
I hope this email finds you well and healthy! A few updates today:
Please let me know if there are additional questions or concerns I can help find answers to!
Stay healthy!
Nicole
Good afternoon Ferrum Family,
There hasn’t been much change in information we know, or with our campus procedures since Wednesday but the numbers have changed including another reported case in Franklin County and some new resources from the CDC that I wanted to share.
Stay safe and wash your hands,
Hello, Panthers!
Many of you may be finding this to be a stressful time due to changes in routine, coursework, and social opportunities. Remember, you are not alone–we are here to help. This is not an ordinary situation so our typical ways of coping may be tested. If you are having a difficult time, and would like to talk, Ferrum College Student Counseling Center is available to provide support as well as referral information if needed; just send an email to Jessica Stallard, LCSW at jstallard@ferrum.edu to get started. In addition, we have put together a list of resources with information on managing stress during a pandemic.
Self-care is important anytime but even more during times of increased stress. There are many tips and suggestions online. Here are some resources that address areas of self-care to get you started
Sleep
http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/getting/overcoming/tips
Eating Right
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-03-20/dont-abandon-healthy-eating-during-coronavirus-pandemic
Stress Management
https://www.mcleanhospital.org/news/tips-help-college-students-during-covid-19-pandemic
The Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers has a Covid-19 web section that is full of additional resources:
https://www.naswva.org/covid-19
I cannot stress enough that you are not alone during this time–your Panther community has your back. Make the most of the social opportunities being offered through the Office of Student Life and Engagement.
Good morning Ferrum Family,
Staying in doesn’t have to be bad! – I’ve started a collection of fun free things that you can do at home! Check out my list here and let me know if you learn of others! I also just learned about the app HouseParty where you can play 4 different games with your friends (trivia, pictionary, apples to apples, and ellen’s headsup)! It’s a fun distraction so check it out.
Stay healthy, safe and at home! Wash your hands!!!
Sending lots of love and missing seeing your faces,
Nicole
Ferrum Students,
I hope this email finds you doing well. Campus is not the same without you.
The Career Services Office is here to provide assistance for all Ferrum students and alumni!
I am available to meet with students through email, phone, or video-based conferencing. Email me at lholden@ferrum.edu for assistance or to set up a time to “meet.”
Career services and resources available:
I am sharing a handout from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) entitled Advice for College Students: How to Maximize Your Career Development During Covid-19. I hope you find this advice helpful!
These are challenging times, but together we can persist and be successful.
Leslie Holden
Director of Career Services
I hope you and your loved ones are well.
Finally, thank you to all of you. The Ferrum Family has really stepped up to take care of each other and us and I cannot thank you enough. More information coming soon!
Lots of love! Wash your hands!!
Nicole
Dear Campus Community:
In light of the College’s recent decision to conduct remote teaching for the remainder of the semester, I am writing with an update concerning student Room & Board.
As mentioned in my previous communication to the College, we have permitted students to remain on campus for the duration of the Spring semester assuming they follow the College’s social distancing and travel guidelines. Aladdin, our food service partner, will continue to provide grab and go meals for these students.
For students who have left but still have belongings on campus, please do not return at this time. Your belongings will remain secure in your rooms. We will provide regular updates and let you know when it is safe for you to return for your belongings.
Additionally, while it is College policy to not provide credit for Room & Board following the third week of the semester, we realize that this public health crisis has had an emotional and economic toll on many of our students and their families.
As such, the College will be implementing the following policy for Room & Board to residential students:
How much will this credit be? The College will provide a prorated credit calculated from the date the College announced it would continue virtual teaching to the last day of the Spring semester (March 24 – May 4), or 42 days for a total of $1,000.
Who will receive this credit? All residential students who have left campus AND who have informed the Office of Student Life will be eligible to receive the credit. Students currently on campus must email studentlife@ferrum.edu and leave campus no later than Sunday, March 29 in order to receive this credit. Those who are approved to remain on campus, and those who did not contact the Office of Student Life prior to leaving, will not be eligible for the credit.
How will I receive this credit? Unless you are a graduating senior, you will receive this credit to your student account.
During these turbulent times, when there are questions yet to be answered, it’s important to stand together on those values that make us strong: friendship, compassion, respect, care for each other. Our motto, which we all know so well – “Not Self, But Others” – is more important today than ever. As we work together for the health and safety of our communities, it’s important to take care of ourselves as well. Ferrum Means Iron, and iron is tough and strong, but that doesn’t mean we can do it alone. This community is for you and we are for each other. Be strong, be safe, be well.
David L. Johns, Ph.D.
President
Hello Ferrum Family,
I hope you are all well! Wash those hands!!
Love,
Nicole
Dear Students,
I hope all of you and your families are well! As you all know, all courses will continue to be taught online for the remainder of the semester. I know this has been a stressful transition for you and your families. However, please know that we are here to assist you! You are part of the Ferrum Family and our current circumstances does not change our commitment to you and your educational success.
Many of you are not overly familiar with Brightspace. Maybe you have submitted a paper to a dropbox or downloaded a reading, but that may have been the extent of your interaction with Brightspace. To help you familiarize yourself with Brightspace, you can go to the Student Brightpace YouTube page for a number of tutorials. You can access this page at:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxHabmZzFY6mtggGZAitZ61kmpS-pMIaM
You can also setup notifications in Brightspace to be reminded of upcoming due dates for various assignments. Here is a link to the video tutorial for setting up notifications:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyVYtIzpoI0&list=PLxHabmZzFY6mtggGZAitZ61kmpS-pMIaM&index=5&t=0s
As the semester continues, please keep the following in mind:
Again, we are here to help. Be proactive, ask questions if you are struggling, and stay connected to your courses, professors, and classmates through Brightspace.
Best,
Sandra Via
Director of the School of Graduate and Online Education Studies
Stay healthy! Wash those hands!
Lots of love,
Nicole
Dear Ferrum College Community:
I would like to update you on where we stand in our response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
As you may know, Governor Northam issued an Executive Order yesterday that closed all K-12 schools in the Commonwealth for the remainder of the school year. This order also requires the closure of certain non-essential businesses and it bans all gatherings of more than 10 people. In addition, Franklin County Public Safety is recommending that businesses in the county delay all events until after June 1.
Thus, we will continue to teach all courses online for the remainder of the spring semester and we will also postpone our spring commencement. In light of these local and statewide announcements, it is prudent for us to take these steps so students and families can plan accordingly.
Students who are presently living on campus and wish to continue doing so, should contact the Office of Student Life and Engagement. Aladdin, our food service partner, will continue to provide grab and go meals for these students.
As far as commencement is concerned: we will host a Virtual Commencement on May 9 at 10:00 a.m., in addition to a face to face ceremony likely in the fall, depending on circumstances. You will receive more information soon concerning these events, how to register for them, and how to receive your diplomas.
Rest assured, we fully intend to recognize and celebrate the remarkable achievements of this class, a class that will be talked about for generations–the Ferrum College class of 2020.
For those of you who are not graduating: this is advising week, so please be in touch with your advisor and be prepared to register next week.
For all official College updates and announcements, please see: ferrum.edu/coronavirus
As we all know, Ferrum College is a community that does life together, which is why it is so hard to be apart during this time. There is nothing I want more than for us all to be gathered again, here on campus, embracing each other and celebrating together as one Panther Nation.
These are unprecedented times and we are all making adjustments and sacrifices for our own health and safety as well as that of others. We are all in this together, and we are all here for each other.
Never forget that Ferrum Means Iron, and during these times we have an opportunity to show the world what we are made of.
Respectfully,
David L. Johns, Ph.D.
President
Dear Ferrum College Community,
I hope everyone is doing well and that you and your families are staying healthy during this time. Now that we have transitioned to an online platform, I want to inform you of the PAL tutoring schedule. All tutoring will take place virtually. You need to email the tutor to schedule an appointment (even if it is during their available times) so that they can expect and prepare to work with you. Below is the list of tutors who have agreed to work during this time. Here you will find the tutor’s name and contact information, the course and professor that they work with, as well as days and times that they are available for tutoring:
[table id=ARC /]
Again, please schedule an appointment with the tutor so that they can expect to work with you. This is important because if they do not hear from you in advance, they may no longer be available during the listed day and time. Please contact the Academic Resources Center at arc@ferrum.edu if you have any further questions. Thank you and good luck with your online studies!
Have a great day,
Tyler Brubaker ’13
Academic Counselor
Good afternoon Ferrum Family,
I hope you are taking some time to get out and enjoy the weather if you are able. I wanted to give you just a few updates and reminders today.
A silver lining of all this is that some really amazing things are free right now to keep you entertained, educated, and experiencing culture! Virtual museum, zoo, and aquarium tours, broadway shows, concerts, astronauts reading books in space, etc… I’ve started making a list which you can find at our Coronavirus website.
Stay healthy! Wash those hands!
Lots of love,
Nicole
Good Sunday Morning Ferrum College!
I invite you to check out our Spiritual Life YouTube Sunday worship video. It should post around 11:30 am this morning. Go ahead and subscribe to our Ferrum College Spiritual Life YouTube channel to catch our daily videos.
Blessed Sunday,
Jan
Rev. Dr. Jan C. Nicholson Angle
Dean of the Chapel
Good evening Ferrum Family
I hope your first week of distance learning was as exciting as it was for our team. Learning new skills this quickly really challenges our brains in new ways! I just had a very entertaining Zoom game night with my friends (check out “Codename”.. we were also able to play trivia with a trivia master!)
We are heartbroken to hear about the cancellation of the ODAC season and suspension of internships. If you need any support please reach out.
We have new confirmed cases in Roanoke and Rocky Mount. Our campus rules won’t change, but please be extra vigilant if you are out in the community – hand sanitizer, wash your hands, don’t touch your face, stay a safe distance from other people. If you start to feel sick, stay home and let us know so we can help you with food and plans and medical attention if necessary. They say this virus starts with a sore throat, and the typical symptoms to follow are coughing, fever, and shortness of breath.
If any of today’s announcements change your plans for staying on campus, please don’t forget to let us know at studentlife@ferrum.edu.
To reach the Student Life and Engagement team in this time of social distancing, you can reach us:
We’ve started collecting some fun free things that are being offered so we can still get high quality entertainment so you can check that out here. Justin also has a few things up his sleeve, coming soon.
Stay well and stay safe!
Nicole
It’s not okay to not follow the rules laid out and stay in our community right now. My team works with students – we give second chances when we are able, we try to educate, and we understand needing to learn from mistakes but the things some of you are considering doing right now and/or have been doing put my team, your hallmates, our housekeeping and maintenance staff, our dining staff, and ALL of their family and loved ones in danger. IT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
So once again, here are the rules for those of you staying on campus right now. Violation of ANY policy will result in you not being allowed to stay on campus:
If you indicate that you are staying on campus but decide to leave at any point during the Distance Learning Plan, please email studentlife@ferrum.edu
If you decide(d) to leave campus:
Check email every day to receive updates and instructions from your professors and student life staff
So many of you have been so amazing. You’ve been diligent and flexible, and it has not gone unnoticed. You are protecting yourselves and your families and our Ferrum family. Thank you. Please continue to report any activity that compromises the health and safety of our community.
“In response to the millions of students financially affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, SAGE Scholars has decided to pledge $100,000 in aid. These funds will be awarded as hard dollar scholarships, given directly to students in need at Ferrum College. Any student regardless of whether or not they are in the SAGE network is eligible to apply.
Any student attending Ferrum College can apply for up to $250 in emergency funds. All we need from a student is a completed form, which can be sent to scholarships@sagescholars.com. The form is also available on our company’s website.”
We are planning some incredible virtual student activities, shows, and speakers coming to a computer or phone near you very soon! <3 There are also a ton of places releasing amazing art and literature right now for no charge – I will be collecting some of those resources to add to our coronavirus website as well.
If you need to get in touch with the Student Life and Engagement team we are available by email, zoom, and phone!
I love you all, stay healthy!
Nicole
Dear Students:
Greetings from the Office of the Provost! You are receiving this email because you are currently enrolled in an ETerm course.
Since we have moved to a Distance Learning Plan and all international travel has been suspended at Ferrum College for an unknown period of time, we have made the decision to suspend all international and domestic travel and all seated courses for ETerm.
What does this mean?
Faculty have been working hard to convert their ETerm topics to online courses. Since you will be working online, I have waived the “experiential” requirement for May 2020 due to these extraordinary circumstances. The ETerm schedule remains the same.
Will I get a refund?
Yes. If you were required to pay a travel fee for the course, you will receive a refund for the course fees.
What if my course has been canceled?
Do not fret. We will assist you in registering for another ETerm course. If you are also interested in waiting until May 2121 to complete the ETerm requirement, we are happy to assist you in making those plans.
What are the next steps?
You will be receiving a short survey tomorrow asking you to confirm your interest in taking the same course (but online) for your ETerm requirement.
If you choose to drop the ETerm class, we will complete the paperwork for you. If you are owed a refund, we will initiate the refund process for you.
If you choose to register for the new online ETerm class, we will drop you from the original class, issue you a refund, and reregister you for the new online course.
We will remain in constant communication with you throughout the next few weeks as you make decisions and we complete the necessary registration and refund procedures. We are all learning new techniques and creative thinking throughout this global crisis. I am grateful that Ferrum College students always remain resilient and nimble during challenging times.
With Panther PRIDE!
Dr. Aimé Sposato
Hi Panthers!
Worldwide:
CDC (USA):
Virginia Department of Health:
Dear Students,
Today is the start of online classes. I know this is not ideal and is a difficult transition for you and your professors. Please be patient with your professors and with yourselves. As I mentioned in my email last week, I will be sending out messages to you every few days to check in and provide tips for staying on top of your coursework.
Here are some tips and reminders about online courses:
Please continue to stay proactive and informed during this time. Ferrum College is continually updating the Ferrum College Coronavirus Updates Webpage at https://dev.ferrum.edu/blog/coronavirus/. You can also find all of the information in this email at the Online Learning Resources page at https://dev.ferrum.edu/online-learning-resources/.
Good luck with your classes, and please ask for help if you need it!
Best,
Sandra Via
Director of the School of Graduate and Online Education Studies
Dear Ferrum College Community:
I would like to update you on where we stand in our response to the Coronavirus pandemic. As we all know, the situation is changing rapidly throughout the country and the world. Our team is monitoring the latest developments on a daily basis, and we are implementing recommendations from the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health as they are made available.
While we have established April 6th as the date for resuming normal campus operations, we will reassess this timeline based on information available to us and based upon recommendations from local health and government agencies.
The President’s Cabinet is meeting daily to consider new and updated information, review our responses, and make adjustments as necessary. Most administrative meetings are being conducted via video conferencing or by phone.
We continue to practice social distancing, we have cancelled large gatherings and meetings, and we are discouraging visitors from coming to campus.
We have implemented “grab and go” meals in the dining hall so students are not grouped together at mealtimes.
We will host our first Virtual Admissions Open House this weekend.
We have closed several buildings on campus, limiting access to them, in order to focus and intensify cleaning and disaffecting efforts in spaces that are being used by students and employees.
We are teaching all classes online, beginning today.
We have closed the College Fitness Center and the BRI, and we have reduced library hours for those students who remain on campus.
You may stay up to date with our communications about the coronavirus at: www.ferrum.edu/coronavirus.
It should go without saying that none of us want this kind of semester, but this is the semester we have. As often is the case, the best of who we are comes to the fore when we are faced with adversity and challenge, and this is true about Ferrum College at this time. I am proud of our faculty whose dedication to our students will not be stopped by any obstacle, and I am inspired by the determination of our staff who will not allow even a pandemic to dampen their spirit.
David L. Johns, Ph.D.
President
Ferrum family,
First I want to thank you for your flexibility, grace, and cool heads as we traveled through some uncharted waters this week. I wanted to reach out and give you an update on both the virus and what we are doing on campus.
The President of the US declared a state of emergency this week – this doesn’t change what we know about the virus, just what funds the government can use to help. According to the Virginia Department of Health of the 408 people tests in Virginia, 45 were confirmed. Southwest Virginia still seems relatively untouched and the 3 students you may have heard about that were in isolation at Roanoke College last week tested negative. The CDC does not restrict travel within the US but asks anyone expecting to travel to consider the questions here. We will be continuing to monitor the situation very closely as things are rapidly and quickly changing and will keep you up to date as we adjust and change plans based on CDC and Virginia Health Department recommendations.
What we are doing across the country by canceling all gatherings, events, and face to face interactions is called social distancing. This is a non-pharmaceutical intervention used to stop or slow down the spread of infectious disease. There is some advice I heard to give this technique the best chance of success that I also want to share with you. Now that we have limited our population a bit by allowing students to go home, and ended almost all of our face-to-face meetings, we should pretend we are sick before making any decisions. For example, yesterday my family had puppy training class for our youngest four-legged baby. Before we left, I asked “if we had a slight fever or a cough right now, would we go?”. The answer was no… Not because we are afraid to catch it but because I don’t want to spread it to someone who may be at a higher risk than me, and because I don’t want to bring it to campus. I will ask that you all consider making decisions similarly while this is going on. I’ve attached an easy to understand graphic on social distancing but I must admit, I have no idea who created it to credit the artist.
For now, we have the following rules/procedures in place to help us prevent or slow the spread of the virus should it come to campus:
The dining hall will be on limited hours to ensure deep cleaning between meals
A lot of you have been asking what next. Ideally, in two weeks, this virus will slow enough that it looks like we all overreacted – that is the goal! If it doesn’t slow down, or makes it to Franklin County and our small community I will be in constant communication as we adjust offerings of resources and follow all guidelines of the health department. Some of you probably heard about the quarantines in Wuhan and Italy. We are hoping the self distancing will make it so we don’t need to use those. If we get there, I will let you all know and let you know what that means for us.
These are scary times. If you are anxious, stop watching the news. Only get your information from the CDC and the health departments. The office of student life staff is also available to talk with you, whether on campus or away. Make an appointment by emailing studentlife@ferrum.edu. Our counselor and Chaplin are also available for tele- counseling.
Please let us know if you or a family member get symptoms so we can monitor how everyone is doing.Sending lots of love and wash those hands!!!
Nicole Lenez
Dear campus community,
We have been monitoring carefully the unfolding COVID-19 situation and its impact. As always, the health and safety of our students and employees is our top priority. Thus, while there are no suspected cases of the coronavirus at Ferrum College, we will take the following actions:
In addition to these, the College is implementing the following steps, effective immediately:
Additional information for both students and College personnel will be forthcoming.
We are presented with a public health crisis that has sparked uncertainty, fear, and anxiety worldwide. Yet, I am proud of the extraordinary care, support, and professionalism from the entire Ferrum College community during this time, and I want to express my appreciation to all of you for your commitment to each other.
We recognize that this is a developing situation, which we will monitor daily.
Dear Ferrum College family:
All of us are following with interest news of the Coronavirus situation, which is changing by the hour. We are paying close attention to these developments and planning accordingly. I can assure you that the health and safety of all Panthers–students and employees–is of first concern every day of the week, and doubly so now. While we have no reason to believe there is an immediate threat to our campus, and while there are no cases (at this time) in the Commonwealth of Virginia, we are being proactive and taking additional steps to ensure a safe environment.
I would like to update you about a few of these.
We will act with prudence and caution, but not with fear or speculation. We will monitor the situation daily, communicate with the campus regularly, and maintain contact with the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to Nicole Lenez, Dean of Students, who is heading our Coronavirus Response Task Force (nlenez@ferrum.edu, 540-365-4461).
Sincerely,
David L. Johns, Ph.D.
President
(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.
In fall 2019, Litton received the Distinguished Member award from Nimrod Hall Hunt Club, of which he had been a member for years. In this photo, he stands proudly with his sons Jason (on Litton’s right) and Sean (on his left). John Payne photo.
On June 6, 2020, at the age of 80, former Ferrum College Professor of Biology Sam Litton passed away.
Litton played high school football at Andrew Lewis High School and then enrolled in Elon College where he earned his bachelors degree. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a corpsman and completed a tour in Vietnam as a medic while serving in the Marines. After discharging from the military, Litton earned his Master of Science in biology from Appalachian State University, and then received his doctorate from the University of Virginia. He married Joan in 1972 and began teaching biology at Ferrum College shortly afterward.
Litton, Joan, and their sons Sean and Jason, spent much of their time traveling all over the United States and Canada. They took students on field trips as near as the Virginia mountains, and as far as the Virgin Islands.
“He was hunting in this photo, yes. But he was also teaching,” said John Payne, Litton’s former mentee. “He never stopped teaching.”
John Payne photo.
Litton’s friends and colleagues remember him as a professor who created real bonds with his students. “Sam was gifted at connecting with his students. He took them under his wing and mentored them, not just with academics, but with non-academic issues, also,” said former Ferrum College Professor of Biology Ron Stephens. “To describe him as a ‘father-figure’ isn’t enough. He served as a true friend they could trust.”
Litton freely gave his knowledge and time. In 1979, a Ferrum College student wanted to set up a volunteer firefighting organization at the College. Litton worked with the Forest Service and Virginia Department of Forestry to make the student’s vision come true, and more than 50 Ferrum students were trained. That summer, the Ferrum College organization earned outstanding performance ratings when they helped suppress the 6,000 acre Otay Fire in southern California.
He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. “I always respected and admired his love and knowledge of all things in nature,” said retired Professor of Biology and Horticulture Bob Pohlad. “Sam got the students outside a lot. He enjoyed working with them and helped so many of the students that could relate to his wildlife interests.”
“He particularly liked quail hunting and always had a bird dog or two. We knew every quail covey in the Ferrum area,” remembered Stephens, who used to hunt with Litton.
During his time at Ferrum College, Litton served as president of both the Ferrum Lions Club and the Rocky Mount Rotary Club. After retiring, Litton and Joan moved to Smith Mountain Lake where they entered the real estate business. Litton continued to find daily joy in teaching and learning.
“I am absolutely blessed that my path crossed with Sam’s,” said Litton’s former mentee John Payne, a 1985 Ferrum College graduate. “He was my advisor then and had a real effect on my life. We were friends for close to 40 years. He was truly a passionate teacher. He was the epitome of ‘Not Self, But Others’.”
Read Litton’s obituary here.
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Litton is survived by his wife of 48 years Joan, and his sons Sean and Jason. The family has requested that memorials be made to Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, 65 Rock Ridge Road, Callaway, VA 24067; to Ferrum College, 215 Ferrum Mountain Road, Ferrum, VA 24088; or to Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center, 300 South Main Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151.
