Ferrum College’s Gary Holden was recently featured in the College Sports Information Directors of America 360 magazine for his expansive knowledge in collegiate athletics.
Currently serving the College as sports information director and assistant athletic director for compliance, Holden’s career began in the mid-1980’s as an assistant wrestling coach at Plymouth State University, and grew to include head wrestling coach and residence hall director at the university. Holden joined Ferrum College as sports information director in 1991. Except for a small hiatus as SID to Lynchburg College from 1997-1998, Holden has called Ferrum College his home for almost 30 years. While at Ferrum, he has seen and done just about everything in collegiate athletics, including serving as sports information director, assistant athletic director, compliance director, head men’s tennis coach, interim head women’s tennis coach, and commissioner to the Atlantic Central Football Conference.
“Life as an SID can be a blur sometimes,” Holden remarked. “Add in compliance work and you jump from one thing to the next to keep up. It’s crazy, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
A native of Nashua, New Hampshire, Holden and his wife Leslie reside in Ferrum, and are the parents of two grown sons Taylor and Drew. He is the author of the book Black & Gold, A History of Athletics at Ferrum College, which he wrote and self-published in 2014. Holden was inducted into Plymouth State’s Sports Hall of Fame in October 2015.
Read more about Holden’s career and accomplishments in Will Roleson’s article in CoSIDA 360 here.
The Blue Ridge Institute and Museum of Ferrum College is hosting “Christmas in the Blue Ridge: Open House” on Thursday, December 13, from 4 to 6 p.m. The open house will be held at the Institute on Ferrum College’s campus at 20 Museum Drive, Ferrum, and will include refreshments, vendors selling Christmas gifts, caroling, plus a huge live tree decorated with traditional ornaments. This holiday event is free and open to the community, so please bring the family!
Fall 2018 Chrysalis contributors. Marissa Ruiz of Wake Forest, NC, holds her artwork, “Fall’s Lake.”
On December 4, Ferrum College Chrysalis Literary and Arts Magazine staff revealed the Fall 2018 edition of the magazine in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room on campus. Submissions to the magazine were canvassed from across campus with winners in four categories: visual art, prose, photography, and poetry.
Freshman M’bambi Mbungu, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, received first place in visual art for “Nothing Beats a Mother’s Love.” First place for prose was awarded to senior Taylor Kent, of Hilton Head Island, SC, for “On the Train.” First place award for photography was given to junior Autumn Potkay, of Mayodan, NC, for “Puddle Leaf.” Junior AnnGardner Eubank from Corolla, NC, received the first place award for poetry for “Father and Son.”
Judges included: Ferrum College alumnus Joe Stanley ’93, artist and owner of Upcycled Gifts in Roanoke, VA, who evaluated the visual art category; Ferrum College alumna Emily DeLoach ’96, currently a Montessori teacher in the Hampton Roads area who reviewed the prose category; Cynthia Herrick, a National Geographic travel and wildlife photographer, who judged the photography category; and Sandra Ballard, professor of English at Appalachian State University and editor of Appalachian Journal, who evaluated the poetry category.
This semester’s Chrysalis edition was “a rebuilding one” as both prior student editors graduated last spring, per Ferrum College’s Professor of English and Chrysalis advisor Dr. Katherine Grimes. Grimes edited this semester’s edition.
“[Ferrum College Provost] Dr. Aimé Sposato said of the Reveal, ‘It was inspiring to hear students read their work,’” Grimes reflected. “As I pondered her comment, I thought about how much many students are willing to expose themselves in writing creatively. They write about their families, their experiences, their joys and pain, even their heartaches. A Chrysalis reveal is like almost nothing else on campus, for in plays and concerts, students speak and sing the words of others, and in athletic contests, little about individual players is revealed. But students’ reading from their own works shows a sort of willing vulnerability. To get up and speak before an audience is brave; to let other people judge one’s work is brave, too. But to open oneself to others by reading one’s personal writing takes a special courage.”
Read this semester’s edition of Chrysalis Literary and Arts Magazine here: https://issuu.com/ferrumcollege/docs/fall_2018_chrysalis?e=2565008/66334638.
Samuel Richmond Webb
February 2, 1926 to December 1, 2018
On Saturday, December 1, the Ferrum College community bid farewell to the coach who started the institution’s first competitive football program.
Samuel “Sam” Webb, hailing from Bluefield, VA, was born on February 12, 1926. He graduated from Concord College in 1951 and arrived at Ferrum College in 1955 as the head coach of the intramural six-man football team. Webb began the competitive football program by making recruiting calls from then-Ferrum College President Ralph Arthur’s office. The College also received generous donations of football equipment from University of Richmond; Virginia Tech; Virginia Military Institute; and Washington and Lee University; and Panther football was born.
During his time at Ferrum College, Webb also served as head basketball coach, head baseball coach, and athletic director. Health concerns forced him to resign after the spring of 1957 and he began a career in masonry and sales at Riverton Corporation in Salem, VA. Tom Berry, a 1957 Ferrum College alumnus, described Webb as “a mentor, friend and father figure to us all. He wore so many hats: football coach, basketball coach, baseball coach and athletic director. I don’t know how he did it all. It’s hard to describe the impact he’s had on my life. He was such a good person.”
Gary Holden, Ferrum College’s sports information director, along with President David Johns, visited Webb in Salem two days before he passed. “I got to know Sam fairly well a couple of years back when I was writing a book,” remarked Holden. “He was so humble and cared about others. I was able to talk with him privately a couple minutes before we left. I needed to say some things to him and I’m glad I did.”
Webb is survived by his son, Charlton Webb of Knoxville, TN, and his daughter and son-in-law, Whitney Webb Maddox and Rob Maddox, of Vinton, VA.
Read more about Coach Webb on Ferrum College’s athletics page here: https://www.ferrumpanthers.com/general/2018-19/releases/20181201gi3cb2 and at The Roanoke Times here: https://www.roanoke.com/sports/colleges/founding-father-of-ferrum-football-passes-away/article_a367d610-5fc4-5ad6-b4f6-19d104d89eee.html.
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Congratulations to Greg Winge who gave a gift to the Ferrum Fund for #GivingTuesday 2018 and was this year’s Panther Prize Pack winner! His prize included our exclusive Panther Blend coffee roasted by Rocsato Coffee Roasters, two coffee mugs, a garden flag, a Panthers baseball cap, and more!From teaching high school English and Spanish, to working in criminal justice, to serving as a youth pastor, to playing professional football, Ferrum College students were eager to tell the world the vision of their future. By doing so, they helped promote this year’s #GivingTuesday at Ferrum College.
“The success of Giving Day was dependent on the students wanting to get involved and understanding what their gift meant to Ferrum College, and for that we can’t give enough gratitude to them,” said Ferrum Fund Officer Paige Brookshier.Ferrum College celebrated #GivingTuesday on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, by inviting donors to support the promise of tomorrow for current and future Ferrum College students with a gift to The Ferrum Fund.
“Our donors are crucial to building a successful future for the College. Your gift to the Ferrum Fund empowers our students to dream big, discover their potential, and make a difference in their communities,” said Ferrum College President David Johns.
The Ferrum Fund provides current and future students with:
#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.
Poster designed by student Rachel Hancock.
On Sunday, December 2, the Ferrum College Office of Spiritual Life and the Music Department will present a Christmas concert, “Through Song, May We Know Christ”, at 6 p.m. in Vaughn Chapel on campus. Featuring the Concert Choir, Collegiates, Fresh Wind Gospel Choir, and the Handbells Choir, the concert will tell the Christmas story through song beginning with the prophecies in the book of Isaiah through the incarnation told in the book of John. The event is open to the public with free admission. Non-perishable donations for St. James UMC Food Pantry will be accepted.
Jacob Wilson ’21 photograph.
The past two weekends were filled with celebrations at Ferrum College—the 45th annual Folklife Festival, Homecoming, and the inauguration of a new president. These events recognized the rich culture of the region, the College’s history, and the new directions Ferrum will be taking in the coming months.
Ferrum College has been a vital part of this region since its founding in 1913, and although the College is changing and growing, one thing is clear: it plans to continue being part of the revitalization of this area. In his inaugural address, President David Johns said, “Service to community is our heart and soul; we have always been grounded in Appalachia and committed to southwest Virginia, even as we extend our reach far beyond this corner of the world.”
While students from across the U.S. and from several countries attend Ferrum College, about three quarter come from Virginia and the surrounding areas. Because of this, President Johns said, “We have a responsibility to pay attention to needs in this region, and give students the tools they need to succeed.”
He said that graduates need to be entrepreneurs, no matter their major. “Students must do more than seize opportunity for themselves, they need to create opportunity for others.” This is a practical application, Johns explained, of the College’s motto, Not Self, But Others.
To better serve its students and prepare them for meaningful and productive lives, Johns said, “We are reallocating our resources to invest in programs and services that help our students succeed, in college and through the rest of their lives.” For perspective, Johns added, “A student who begins college this year will retire around 2065. Obviously, we need to change in order to compete and be relevant in a world that will change considerably during the lifetime of our students.”
And Ferrum College is making strides in serving its students. During the spring, students met with the president in three Town Hall meetings to offer their comments and suggestions. “We asked our students how we could improve,” Johns said, “and they told us!” Over the summer and during this semester, College staff and faculty have made a number of changes, from building renovations and food venue changes, to upgrading internet capacity and modifying the College’s first year student program.
In July, Ferrum College joined the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, one of the nation’s largest NCAA Division III conferences. “This is an incredible opportunity for our many student-athletes,” Johns pointed out. “The level of competition in our match-ups with ODAC-member schools brings a new level of excitement for all Panther fans. In addition, the close proximity to Ferrum of the other ODAC schools means our students will not need to spend as much time traveling, and it is far easier for family members to attend games.”
But it all comes back to service.
There is a great need for professional development in our area to enhance the existing workforce. “Talking with community leaders is helping as we plan our next steps and focus our efforts,” said Johns. To meet the growing demand in the region, Ferrum College is strengthening its offerings in high demand areas such as health care and recreation leadership, and will soon begin offering graduate programs in forensic investigation and teacher education.
“The kind of education that has the power to transform,” Johns stated in his inaugural address, “is the kind that gets its hands dirty, the kind that digs into the challenges of our world.”
Ferrum College has been a vital part of this region for over a century, changing lives and improving communities, and it is making the changes necessary for the next 100 years. “I am enthusiastic about the future of Ferrum College,” Johns remarked. “With passion, imagination, hard work, and the grace of God, anything is possible.”
VAS Conference Presentations
Ferrum College hosted the Virginia Academy of Science Fall undergraduate research meeting on campus on November 3, during which 35 undergraduate students from 13 different Virginia colleges and universities competed for research funding. Among the competitors were three Ferrum College students: Caitlin Hodges, a junior from Moneta, VA; Kyle Haley, a senior from Troutville, VA; and Jared Williamson, a senior from Hardy, VA. Dr. Carolyn Thomas, professor of environmental science and biology at Ferrum College, gave the keynote address.
For the competition, students presented posters which outlined their research projects and judges selected the top nine presenters, who each received $750 to assist in their research and a 2019 VAS student membership. Williamson received an honorable mention for his presentation.
The Virginia Academy of Science (VAS), first established at the College of William and Mary in 1923, promotes the advancement of science in the Commonwealth of Virginia by providing financial support for research projects and by providing a platform for dissemination of research results. Exemplary programs have included Flora of Richmond and Vicinity (published in 1930), the first comprehensive multidisciplinary studies of the James River Basin and the Great Dismal Swamp, volunteer research assistance to Virginia in the instance of the kepone pollution disaster, and leadership in establishing the Science Museum of Virginia. VAS research grants, awards, scholarships, and assistantships are made possible by corporate and individual donors. Read more about VAS grants here: http://vacadsci.org/about-vas/.
Ret. Chief Petty Officer Debra “Robin” Haas will speak during the Veterans Day Program on Nov. 12, 2018, which will be held in Vaughn Chapel at Ferrum College beginning at 11 AM. In addition to the keynote address given by Haas, the event will include the presentation of the colors by the Franklin County High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps; the playing of the National Anthem by the Ferrum College Marching Band; and special recognition of veterans, active reservists, military dependents, and other veterans. Senior Fox Yates will sing America the Beautiful as a special tribute at the end of the event. The program is free and open to the public.
Students and faculty should follow the “Midday Special Programs” class schedule: www.ferrum.edu/midday.
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry, currently distinguished professor of public theology at the Wesley Theological Seminary, will give a talk at Ferrum College at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 14, in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room in Franklin Hall on campus. Instead of a formal lecture, the format of the presentation will be more conversational with Dr. David Howell, dean of the School of Arts & Humanities and professor of religion, serving as McCurry’s partner asking him a number of questions. Sponsored by Spiritual Life and the Religion Department, the event is free and open to the public.
McCurry, a veteran political strategist and spokesperson with nearly four decades of experience in the nation’s capital, is a partner at Public Strategies Washington, Inc., where he provides counsel on communications strategies and management to corporate and non-profit clients. He also serves on numerous boards and advisory councils, and is a member and former co-chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates, which sponsors the general election debates between presidential and vice presidential candidates.
Read more about McCurry on Wesley Theological Seminary’s website.
Ferrum College announced that late this fall and during winter break, a variety of online courses will be offered through the College Consortium, a network of accredited colleges and universities that share online course offerings. The Fall and Winter Terms reflect Ferrum College’s commitment to ensuring students have access to the courses they need to complete their degree. The terms also provide students with the opportunity to get ahead in coursework or to repeat a course to improve their grade point average.
For more information about current College Consortium online classes, CLICK HERE.
If you have questions or concerns regarding accommodations or need academic support please FILL OUT THE FORM HERE and a representative will respond to you within 48 hours.
© Kate L Photography | www.kateLphotography.com
Flutist Sarah Shin will perform in Vaughn Chapel at Ferrum College on Monday, November 5 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pianist Kelly Lin will accompany Shin. The recital is open to the public. From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Shin will also offer a masterclass open to Ferrum College and local high school students. Registration is required for the masterclass here. Both events are free.
During the recital, Shin will give renditions from various artists, to include Bach, Charles Griffes, Michael Colquhoun, Georges Enesco, Eldin Burton, and Frank Martin. Her resume includes performances in Symphony Hall in Boston, Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York City, John F. Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Gewandhaus Theatre in Leipzig Germany, and in concert venues throughout Seoul, South Korea. Shin has also participated in music festivals such as Round Top Festival Institute (TX), Brevard Music Center (NC), Colorado College Music Festival (CO), and Opera in the Ozarks (AR) as principal flute.
For additional information about the event, please contact Dr. Sixto Montesinos, director of bands and assistant professor of music at Ferrum College, at (832) 574-8162 or smontesinos@ferrum.edu.
More about Sarah Shin: Shin received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in flute performance from Carnegie Mellon University School of Music, and her master’s in flute performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, as a Barbara and David Jacobs Scholar. She is currently finishing her Doctorate of Musical Arts at Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts. Read more on Shin’s website.
