Pictured from left to right: CFMH Manager of Materials Laura Yerkey; Director of Nursing Tracy McCown; Ferrum College Natural Science Division Chair & Professor of Environmental Science Delia Heck; Health Professions Division Chair & Associate Professor of Biology Katie Goff; and CFMH Vice President & Administrator Carl Cline.
During the first week of Ferrum College’s distance learning program put in place to combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), Adjunct Professor and former Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Jinnie Garrett had an idea.
“Listening to the news reports of hospitals lacking personal protection equipment [PPE], I thought about all the supplies I know are sitting in academic and research labs around the country,” said Garrett. “I felt we should try to redirect those to the medical community while the supply chain is ramped up.”
Garrett contacted Ferrum College’s Natural Science Division Chair and Professor of Environmental Science Delia Heck, who put the idea into action. After Provost Aimé Sposato’s approval, a team of several faculty members, staff, and one student formed to gather PPE from various locations on Ferrum’s campus.
“[Laboratory Assistant] Eileen Maher and I went around Garber and collected [PPE],” said Heck. “It was like an Easter egg hunt going to various classrooms and labs to find ‘hidden’ locations. [Nursing Division Chair] Kim Brown also picked up supplies from our location at the Franklin Center in Rocky Mount. [Dean of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Chemistry] Jason Powell helped collect supplies from the labs.”
The team also included Health Professions Division Chair and Associate Professor of Biology Katie Goff; sophomore and recreation leadership major Benton Heck; and Lab Supervisor Carol Love.
The PPE that was gathered included 16,000 gloves, 450 protective surgical masks, 200 head coverings, 200 foot coverings, and 75 lab coats, and was delivered on Friday, March 20, to Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital (CFMH) in Rocky Mount. The supplies were received by Carl Cline, vice president and administrator at CFMH; Tracy McCown, director of nursing; and Laura Yerkey, manager of materials.
“Carl Cline’s first response was that he was ‘flabbergasted’ by the offer of the PPE,” said Heck. “When we dropped it off we were only close together for about 30 seconds to take the picture so we were not putting each other in danger.”
CFMH will use the supplies within their system where the need is greatest during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For Ferrum College, those resources were not going to their highest use-value. By donating them, they moved from shelves in empty buildings to meeting the needs of our community, exemplifying our motto of ‘Not Self, But Others’,” said Heck.
Read more about the donation in this Franklin News-Post article.
Read more about the School of Arts and Sciences here, and the School of Health Professions and Social Sciences here.
Dr. Bob Pohlad photo.
Ferrum College President David Johns announced today in an email communication to campus that courses will continue to be taught online for the remainder of the spring semester, and that spring commencement would be hosted virtually.
The College’s decision comes after yesterday’s Executive Order from Governor Ralph Northam, which closed all K-12 schools in Virginia for the remainder of the school year due to the coronavirus outbreak across the country.
“In light of these local and statewide announcements, it is prudent for us to take these steps so students and families can plan accordingly,” Johns wrote in the email.
The College initially moved to an online distance learning plan effective last Wednesday, March 18, with the intention to reassess the option to have students return to campus to finish coursework after April 6.
Students who are currently living on campus will be allowed to stay. They will continue to receive grab-and-go meals from the cafeteria and will participate in the same online instruction as those who chose to leave campus.
Ferrum College will host a virtual commencement ceremony on May 9. Johns indicated that an in-person ceremony may take place during the fall, depending on the circumstances. “Rest assured, we fully intend to recognize and celebrate the remarkable achievements of this class,” he wrote.
“These are unprecedented times and we are all making adjustments and sacrifices for our own health and safety as well as that of others,” Johns wrote, closing his email. “We are all in this together, and we are all here for each other.”
To view Ferrum College’s official updates and announcements, please visit www.ferrum.edu/coronavirus.
Above photo, from left to right: Ferrum College Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Aimé Sposato; Ferrum College President David Johns; Virginia Western President Robert Sandel; and Virginia Western Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Elizabeth Wilmer. Virginia Western photo.
Today, Ferrum College and Virginia Western Community College entered into an agreement guaranteeing admission into Ferrum College for Virginia Western students who have received an associate degree. Ferrum College also pledged to these students to provide a pathway to receive a four-year degree within two years of transfer to Ferrum, as part of the College’s Ferrum Promise initiative which was rolled out in November 2019.
“Our economic landscape is constantly evolving,” said Dr. David L. Johns, President of Ferrum College, “and our education needs to evolve with it. We are excited to partner with Virginia Western Community College to prepare students to enter the workforce and to contribute to their communities. This agreement is a commitment from both our institutions to make education accessible and affordable, and to build a strong future for Virginia.”
“We are fortunate to have such a strong partner institution in Ferrum College and we are thrilled to share this new initiative with our students,” said Dr. Robert Sandel, President of Virginia Western. “Students who transfer from Virginia Western to continue their education tend be among the highest achievers at four-year colleges and universities. The Ferrum Promise initiative will give those students a fantastic opportunity at an affordable, high-quality degree.”
The memorandum of agreement states that acceptance at Ferrum College will require Virginia Western 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, Virginia Western students must have earned either an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree prior to acceptance at Ferrum.
The agreement was signed on the Virginia Western campus by Sandel and Johns, along with Virginia Western Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Elizabeth Wilmer, and Ferrum College Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Aimé Sposato.
“This articulation provides a seamless pathway to degree completion in four semesters so that Virginia Western Community College students can hit the ground running when they transfer to Ferrum College,” said Sposato.
Learn more about the Ferrum Promise here.
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This situation continues to evolve. Click here to read the latest updates.
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.
Alumna Caitlin Menefee ’09 with her husband Earl and daughter Ella.
Alumna Caitlin Menefee ’09 owns and operates Forget Me Not Flowers, a quaint flower shop located in the small but bustling town of Somerville, VA. “It’s kind of a thoroughfare,” she explained in a Fauquier Times article. “From the beginning, people have seen our sign and stopped on their way home to pick up flowers.”
After graduating from Ferrum College in December 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in general agriculture and a minor in history, Menefee opened Forget Me Not Flowers in 2011 in Grove’s Store in Somerville. “I worked in flower shops throughout high school and college, and knew it was something I was good at,” said Menefee. “I learned a lot from my experiences at each flower shop and with a family background of small business, I decided to give it a try.” The store, originally established by her great-grandfather in 1908, has been continuously family owned and operated since opening. Menefee and her mother manage Grove’s Store in the historic building which now includes a small contract post office and a convenience store.
Forget Me Not Flowers has been very successful. After opening her first location in Somerville, she then expanded to include a Remington location in 2012. Running two shops was time consuming, but Menefee managed without trouble. “At the time, I had several employees and was able to maintain both locations. Over the years, not only has the flower industry changed, but so did my life. I married my husband Earl in 2016 and we had our baby girl Ella in 2018,” she said.
This past January, Menefee consolidated her two shops into just the Somerville location to provide a more streamlined service for her customers. She hires part-time help during the busy holiday and wedding seasons, but otherwise runs the shop herself. Ella accompanies her mother to work most days: “She’s 19 months old and the happiest baby you’ll ever meet. Everyone knows Ella’s sweet smile, and she’s the light of our life,” said Menefee.
Forget Me Not Flowers serves the entire southern Fauquier County area along with the towns of Warrenton and Culpeper. Visit Forget Me Not Flowers online at www.forgetmenotva.net.
Read more about Menefee and her flower shop in this Fauquier Times article.
(March 4, 2020) There is a lot of talk in Richmond and Washington, D.C. these days about the need for a skilled workforce. Without a doubt, there are gaps in trades and professions that must be filled if we are to build a good future for ourselves and for our children, and must be filled if our country is to be a global economic leader.
To hear some of the discussion, what we need to do is simply to train young people for specific high-demand jobs. In fact, a national campaign is underway, led by the Ad Council, in close association with IBM, Apple and the White House, to promote this very idea and to encourage alternatives to college. We have statewide incentives to fund workforce development, which very often means programs that teach specific skills to match the needs of industry at the present moment.
This is important. However, a skilled workforce is not the same as a prepared workforce.
In all the clamor for skills training something is missing, and that something is a demand that colleges of all types prepare students to be responsible citizens. Women and men who are informed, involved, who act with civility, humanity and who care about the future, they are crucial for the health of our country. Although education may be preparation for good work, it is so much more.
And yet, nearly every day I hear someone questioning or dismissing the value of education (even from among some talking heads who have Ivy League degrees!). It is true, of course, that one can make a living without going to college, although an average college graduate will earn $1 million more in his or her career than an average high school graduate. And yes, $1.5 trillion in student loan debt is too much; however, very few folks seem concerned about the overall amount of consumer debt, which is nine times higher and often leaves us little to show for it.
At the end of the day, if we do not take care of our democracy then having a robust economy is meaningless. Who benefits, after all, if many of our skilled workforce are denied an opportunity to learn about our history and about the ideals that gave rise to this great nation? Who benefits if only a handful of areas of study pay attention to preparing citizens? Who wins if we reject the importance of education that forms such people?
For the benefit of us all, our society needs as many people as possible who can think critically and ask questions, who understand where we came from, and who care about how a free nation should act in order to remain free.
This is why one of the goals of our strategic plan at Ferrum College is to “prepare citizens committed to integrity and service.” It’s because citizenship is the work of us all, and not the work of a few. Every one of our faculty, staff, and students can tell you that we are serious about our motto, “Not Self, But Others,” and that we believe it teaches us how we ought to live.
So, let’s build a strong workforce. Let’s provide women and men the skills necessary to build good lives and a strong economy. And, let’s be sure that our skilled workforce is also a prepared workforce, ready to live free and ready to live as responsible citizens.
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.
Ferrum College Director of Athletics John Sutyak has announced the resignation of Head Football Coach Rob Grande, who has accepted a position with Iowa State University’s football program. Grande’s new title with the Cyclones will be Executive Offensive Analyst.
Grande served the past four seasons as Ferrum’s head coach, compiling a 23-17 record, including a 6-9 mark in Ferrum’s first two seasons of Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play. In 2018, Ferrum was the only team in the league to defeat ODAC champion and NCAA participant Randolph-Macon College, beating the Yellow Jackets in Ashland, Virginia.
“Coach Grande has been an extraordinary member of our coaching staff and of the Ferrum College community,” stated Ferrum College President, Dr. David Johns. “During his four years at the College, he has been a great mentor to his players, an active participant in campus life, was involved in the national search for our new athletic director, and he led us into our first two seasons in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. He is a respected leader among his peers at the College. We hate to see him leave, but wish him the very best with this new opportunity.”
Under Grande’s guidance, Ferrum has had an All-American in three of his four years as the head of the Panther program: defensive lineman Montel Lee in 2017, running back Brian Mann in 2018 and offensive lineman Jordan Patti in 2019. Mann is Ferrum’s first-ever student-athlete to earn both All-America and Academic All-America honors.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be the head football coach at Ferrum,” said Grande. “The history, tradition, alumni, staff, and players have made this a great four years for me and my family. We look forward to a new chapter in our lives at Iowa State University and will always root for the Black Hats.”
Ferrum had 13 All-Conference selections in the ODAC in the past two seasons. In Grande’s first two seasons as head coach, Ferrum competed in the USA South Athletic Conference, earning 17 All-Conference honors and four Player of the Year awards, two each on offense and defense.
“I am extremely happy for Rob, and his family, for this tremendous professional opportunity,” said Sutyak. “Although I have only worked with Rob for a short time, I have appreciated his leadership and guidance within this department. Getting to know him during his time on the athletic director search committee and through the last month and a half in my time on campus, it is clear that Rob has had a profound impact on Ferrum football, his student-athletes and the entire athletic department. We’ve been fortunate to have him here and wish the whole family continued success.”
Ferrum Defensive Coordinator Marshall Doss has been named Interim Head Football Coach while the College conducts a national search. Sutyak and the College intend to move quickly in naming Grande’s permanent replacement.
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.
Ms. Loretta McGhee, Dining Services Cashier
Loretta McGhee is best known to the Ferrum College community as “Ms. Loretta.” She was hired in the College’s salad room in the cafeteria in 1986. An injury forced her to begin working at the front door as the dining services cashier. Ms. Loretta remained at Ferrum College for 32 years and retired in May 2019 at the age of 87. She still resides in the area with her son.
“Every day at Ferrum was my favorite memory,” said Ms. Loretta. “I counted every day as a blessing to be there. I didn’t go in complaining because I got to see all those students and teachers, and they were all so sweet. Everyone in the cafeteria was. Every now and then a student would come in and not be so nice. But I kept speaking to them and hugging them and they got out of acting like that!”
She specifically remembers working with Jeff Gring and Mike Ferguson: “Mike is one of the nicest people in the world. He and Jeff always helped me when I didn’t understand something. I don’t know what I would’ve done without the two of them.”
Ferrum College is a special place, made even more special because of people like Ms. Loretta.
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.
