Ferrum College has accepted an offer to join the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. The Panthers will become the newest member of one of the nation’s largest NCAA Division III conferences.
Ferrum has been a member of the USA South Athletic Conference since the fall of 1988. The Panthers will leave the USA South at the end of the 2017-18 academic year, their 30th overall and final year, and will begin competition in the ODAC in Fall 2018. Ferrum has competed as an ODAC associate member in men’s and women’s swimming the past two years.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Ferrum and our student-athletes,” said Interim President Dr. Jennifer L. Braaten. “We have aspired to be a part of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference for years and feel our commitment to academics and athletics make us a perfect fit for the league.”
Beginning in the fall of 2018, Ferrum will become the 15th full-time member in the ODAC. Ferrum sponsors 21 varsity sports, 15 of which compete in the USA South, and one club level program. The field hockey team has competed in the Southern Athletic Association, the men’s lacrosse team has competed in the Southeast Intercollegiate Lacrosse Championship, and the men’s wrestling team has competed in the Southeast Wrestling Conference. Ferrum’s women’s wrestling program is the lone varsity program with no league affiliation.
Ferrum has been highly competitive in a number of athletic programs, sending teams or individuals in four sports to NCAA postseason competition in recent years. The women’s basketball program participated in three straight NCAA Tournaments from 2012 through 2014, hosting first- and second-round games in 2014. The softball team earned NCAA playoff berths in 2012 and 2016. Ferrum sent a wrestler to the NCAA Tournament in 2014, two in 2016 and three in 2017. The Panther mat men won the NCAA Div. III Wrestling East Regional in 2017, had one All-American in each of the past two years and had a wrestler close out the year as national runner-up. Ferrum also sent a golfer to the NCAA Tournament in 2017. Ferrum’s baseball team shared USA South regular season crowns in 2014 and 2016.
Ferrum has been well-represented on the USA South Academic All-Conference team, posting its highest number last summer with 121 honorees. A number of student-athletes have earned Academic All-District honors in recent years, three of which have been named Academic All-America in 2012, 2015 and 2016.
“Membership in the ODAC has been at the forefront for years,” said Director of Athletics Abe Naff. “We are pleased to be offered this great opportunity and look forward to this partnership with the other 14 institutions.”
Founded in 1913 and related to the United Methodist Church, Ferrum is a four-year, private, co-educational, Liberal Arts College related to the United Methodist Church. The College offers nationally recognized bachelor’s degree programs ranging from business and environmental science to teacher education and criminal justice.
Last week, 260 Ferrum Elementary students joined Ferrum College students, faculty and staff to plant the Giving Garden at the Ag Center. Working in two shifts, the students helped plant beans, tomatoes, peppers, squash, corn, eggplant and other vegetables. Among the students helping were (left to right) Dr. Glen Steven’s daughters, Ursula and Flora; Coach Ryan Brittle’s daughter, Cooper; Dr. Angie Dahl’s daughter, Finley; and Dr. Allison Harl’s son, Eli.
PSY 298 Pre-Professional Placement E-term students helped coordinate the event with Enactus Club member Ricardo Pierre. Teaching the elementary students about gardening and nutrition was one of the goals set by Pierre and his fellow Enactus Club team members as part of a broader Giving Garden project. Their work is supported by a $1,500 Unilever Bright Future Project Accelerator grant they received earlier this year. Many of the seedlings that were planted were grown this spring by Plant Propagation students.
Photo Specialties is the official graduation photographer for Ferrum College. Each student will receive a photo taken as they are handed their diploma. A free color proof will be sent to the student’s current mailing address, which includes a password for online viewing.
***Emailed proofs are sent about a week after graduation. Paper proofs are usually mailed within two weeks of graduation.***
You are under no obligation to purchase prints. To receive an email notification the moment your photos are online, please visit www.photospecialties.com to pre-register. If you do not receive a proof within a week of the ceremony, please contact info@photospecialties or call 1-800-722-7033.Ferrum College celebrated its 101st graduating class on Saturday, May 6, 2017, with cool, breezy weather in Hart International Plaza. 228 graduates received their diplomas during the commencement exercises, which included the presentation of faculty and student awards and a keynote address by Olivia Pavco-Giaccia, founder and CEO of LabCandy and an award-winning author.
Vice President of Academic Affairs Gail Summer opened the commencement ceremony to welcome the crowd of family, friends, faculty and staff on hand to celebrate the graduates’ achievements. “Commencement is always such a wonderful juxtaposition of joy and sadness. Each year, it is with joy that we celebrate accomplishments of our graduating seniors. But then, it is also with sadness that we send them on their way. We are certainly proud of the growth each graduating senior has experienced, and we wish them well as they move on to follow their goals. We look forward to having them back for alumni events in the future,” said Summer.
President Jody Spooner thanked those gathered in Hart Plaza for persevering the elements so that there was space to bring everyone together. “This is the Ferrum community. Each and every person who stands witness to this great moment of celebration. This is what makes our College extraordinary, this is what makes our College distinctive, this is what makes this experience exceptional. I ask that each and everyone of you who are graduating today go forward with great pride that you have contributed so much to forming and shaping this extraordinary community,” said Spooner. “I hope above all else you graduate today feeling a great honor to be part of such an extraordinary community.”
Faculty and student awards were presented next. Dave Sulzen, associate professor of accounting, received the Exemplary Teaching Award, which was established by the Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church to recognize one person on each United Methodist college and university campus who demonstrates excellence in teaching; civility and concern for students and colleagues; commitment to value-centered education; service to students beyond the classroom; service to the institution; and service to the community beyond the campus.
Among the students receiving awards, Anna S. Richardson ’17, of Henry, Va., received the Senior Academic Excellence Award, which is based on grades earned in all college courses by a full-time student, including those taken at Ferrum, as well as those received in transfer from other colleges or universities
Michael Gauldin ’17, of Collinsville, Va. was recognized as the student who earned the second highest G.P.A. in all college coursework, both transfer and at the College.
Brianna Carel ’17, of Palmyra, Va., and Andrew Todd ’17, of Harrisonburg, Va., were each awarded the James T. Catlin, Jr. Citizenship Award, named in honor of the late James T. Catlin, Jr. of Danville, Va., which is awarded each year to the students who have best demonstrated qualities of citizenship and general leadership ability as judged by vote of the faculty.
Following the awards presentations, President Jody Spooner introduced Olivia Pavco-Giaccia as the commencement speaker. Pavco-Giaccia, who graduated with honors from Yale University in 2016, is the founder and CEO of the social venture, LabCandy, whose mission is to focus young kids’ (especially girls’) interest in science. In her address to the students, Pavco-Giaccia spoke of the momentum of a first step, saying “At this point in our lives, we have room for steps in new and different directions, even if those steps are backwards and others are completely off the charts. That’s the beauty of first steps: it’s not about direction, it’s about momentum.”
Pavco-Giaccia went on to talk about the power of intentional listening and the importance of building a community that you are grateful for. “As young people in an increasingly divided nation, we’re often told that we need to engage with different viewpoints, but we’re given little practical advice about how to actually do so. For me, it’s been about learning how to listen. To listen to those whose experiences are not our own, to ideas and opinions that are different than what we’re comfortable with, to listen to those ways of thinking that are unpopular or laughed off by our friends. And not only to listen, but to do so intentionally, with an open heart and mind,” she said.
“As you graduate and leave behind the classrooms of Ferrum, don’t leave behind the values of this community. Embrace the motto of “not self, but others.” Make it more than a symbol of good intentions; make it a conscious part of the many choices that life will soon demand of you,” Pavco-Giaccia concluded.
After Pavco-Giaccia’s address, Student Government Association President Cutler Blankenship ’18, of Keeling, Va., introduced Senior Class President Galdino Prado ’17, of Amherst, Va., who presented the senior class gift to Dr. Spooner and then introduced the senior class speaker, Samuel Belcher ’17, of Willis, Va.
After congratulating the class of 2017 and thanking them for the honor of being asked to speak, Belcher spoke to them about the importance of working hard, being honest, and caring for people. “Work as hard as you can, not because you have to but because you are able. Don’t just work hard in your career or grad school, work hard in your relationships and work hard at being honest. Work hard in every area of your life; don’t settle for mediocrity. You owe yourself more than that,” said Belcher.
“As you move forward and figure out what your next step will be, I urge you to the the advice of Frederick Buecher who said, ‘Find the place where your deep gladness meets the world’s deep hunger,’ continued Belcher, who also advised, “Find a career that brings you the most joy and helps the most people. Once you’ve found it, stay there and thrive.”
Once the bachelor degrees were awarded to the graduates, the ceremony was followed by a picnic lunch on the lawn for all in attendance. The weekend celebration also included a traditional Baccalaureate service on Friday evening in Vaughn Chapel followed by a candlelight ceremony at Hart International Plaza to symbolize the light of knowledge that the new graduates will carry forth into the world.
Olivia Pavco-Giaccia, founder and CEO of LabCandy and an award-winning author, will deliver the keynote address on Sat., May 6, 2017 during the 101st commencement at Ferrum College. The College will award degrees to 227 graduates, including 53 with honors, during the ceremony that will be held at Hart International Plaza beginning at 10 a.m. A picnic lunch on the lawn for graduates and their guests will follow the ceremony.
Pavco-Giaccia is an award-winning children’s book author whose focus on the synergies between science, entrepreneurship, and girl-centric activism is impacting both local and national dialogs. She graduated with honors from Yale University in 2016 with a B.S. in Cognitive Science and was awarded the Henry E. Ellsworth Memorial Prize for significant research in the social sciences. In addition, she is the founder and CEO of the social venture, LabCandy, whose mission is to focus young kids’ (especially girls’) interest in science. Selected as the youngest-ever Fellow at Yale’s Entrepreneurial Institute, Pavco-Giaccia led a successful Kickstarter campaign that brought LabCandy’s brightly colored lab coats, kid-sized sparkly lab goggles, and science adventure storybooks to kids around the world.
“We need to knock down early the persistent stereotypes that say STEM isn’t for girls. I founded LabCandy to encourage young girls to imagine themselves as scientists – collaborating, creating and having fun. Our cool lab gear and storybooks take us one step closer to making that goal a reality by making science more relatable and approachable for young girls,” says Pavco-Giaccia on her website (www.labcandy.com.)
Named as a national innovator for positive change by NationSwell, Olivia Pavco-Giaccia ’s first book “Ava & The Copper Key” was awarded a Gold Medal in Moonbeam’s Children’s Book Awards. She was selected as one of Glamour Magazine’s Top 10 College Women of 2015, along with being tapped as one of HerCampus’s “22 Under 22 Most Inspiring College Women.” She is the recipient of the 2016 Upstart Award from Bustle Magazine recognizing recent graduates “who are poised to make a difference in business, arts, fashion, beauty and beyond.” She currently serves on the Champions Board of the National Girls Collaborative Project, one of the country’s largest non-profit organizations committed to girls in STEM, and is co-chair of the Young Girls’ Advisory Board there. Pavco-Giaccia’s infectious enthusiasm for this work has led to a number of speaking opportunities and community leadership roles, including participation in the White House Science Fair, the International STEM Education Association, and Net Impact’s Think Social, a Yale think tank dedicated to exploring innovative ideas for positive social impact. In high school, she was selected as a semi-finalist in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology for her neurobiology research at Stanford University.
In March of 2017, Discovery’s Science Channel honored Pavco-Giaccia and her work by naming her as one of their Science Super Heroes. Working with Discovery/TSC, Olivia was featured online in NowThis Her, TIME Magazine for Kids, and The New York Times.
Last month, Ferrum College Delta Chi fraternity members helped package and deliver 256 pairs of new shoes and new socks to each student at Ferrum Elementary School in Ferrum, Va. The gift of shoes and socks was made possible through the partnership of Convoy of Hope Rural Compassion, Endicott Assembly of God Church, Endicott Assembly of God Women’s Ministries, and Tri Area Community Health Office Manager Martha Puckett. Delta Chi members bagged each pair of shoes matching the correct name with the correct size, grouped them by teacher, and then helped deliver the shoes and socks to the students.
“Delta Chi seemed to have such a great time living up to the Ferrum College motto, ‘Not Self, But Others,'” said Ferrum College Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Blue Ridge District School Board Member Julie Nix.
In the photograph, left to right, are Brenda Shively, Endicott Assembly of God member; Rev. Calvin Hickson Endicott Assembly of God pastor; Linda Hickson, Endicott Assembly of God member and wife of Rev. Calvin Hickson; Sherrie Hickson, Endicott Assembly of God member and daughter of Rev. Calvin Hickson; Max Harper, Delta Chi member; Zach Anderson, Delta Chi member; Chasity Berry, Tri Area Community Health clinical manager; Martha Puckett, Tri Area Community Health office manager; Julie Nix, Blue Ridge District School Board member and Ferrum College assistant director of financial aid; and Larry Meadors, Tri Area Community Health Board member.
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Ferrum College partnered with Harvester Performance Center in Rocky Mount to present Michael Ray in a benefit concert on Wednesday, April 5. More than 650 attended the concert, which raised $4,810 for the Panther Packs program, which provides food for hungry Ferrum Elementary School children.
“What a night of excitement and entertainment. This was a great event with an even greater cause to support,” said Ferrum College Director of Student Leadership & Engagement Justin Muse after the concert. “Using the concert proceeds to benefit the Panther Packs program is a great way to continue to live out the College motto of ‘Not Self, But Others.'”
Panther Packs is a program at Ferrum Elementary School that sends qualifying children home for the weekend with backpacks stocked with nutritious, non-perishable food.
About the photograph: (L-R) Harvester Performance Center Assistant General Manager Sheila Silverstein, Ferrum College Director of Student Leadership & Engagement Justin Muse, Michael Ray, and Tri Area Community Health Office Manager Martha Puckett.
Sirena Pangelinan ’18 won second place in the American Criminal Justice Association (ACJA) National Student Paper Competition, which was held in Austin, TX this past March. In addition to a certificate signifying her accomplishment, she was awarded a $100 prize. This recognition signifies excellence in research and writing.
Sirena’s paper was originally an assignment in her Deviance and Social Control class during the Fall 2016 semester entitled “The Criminal Justice System and Its Impact on Prisoners.”
“Sirena wrote a well researched paper with an insightful thesis. I liked her conclusion about how we need to reform the institutions instead of the individuals…..you don’t see this viewpoint very often. Sirena’s background in psychology has provided her with a more humanistic framework which is commendable,” said Professor and Criminal Justice Program Coordinator William N. Osborne, who suggested she submit to the ACJA Student Paper Competition.
Sirena is double majoring in Psychology and Social Work with a minor in Sociology and anticipates graduating in May 2018.
Eric Lee Baker Award for the Outstanding Student in English
Rachel Swyhart
Raven Walker
Outstanding Student of Russian Award
Tori Akers
Kala Brubaker
Nicol Martins
C. P. Minnick Award
Samuel Belcher
Theatre Arts Achievement Award
Bobbi Guire
Zachary Reyes
Dance Achievement Award
Zachary Reyes
Outstanding Music Student Award
Zachary Reyes
Jasse Scholarship in History Award
Claire Bailey
Tanner Brooks
Brett Sommers
Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar in History Award
Codie Parker
Agricultural Sciences Award
Agribusiness – Spencer Irby
Agronomy – Hunter Wade
Horticulture – Jasmine Boardwine
Animal Science – Anna Richardson
Chemistry Award
Tori Akers
Environmental Science Award
Emma Topper
Thomas Bianchi
Environmental Studies Award
Caitlin Johnson
Forensic Science Award
Tori AkersHealth Sciences Award
Sara Underwood
Pre-Professional Science Award
Tori Akers
Outstanding Student in the School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Tori Akers
Computer Information Systems Academic Award
Brandon Garland
Management Award
Jesse Delph
The Finance Award
Summer Smart
Marketing Award
Christopher (CJ) Asmus
The Decision Support Award
Ethan Mills
Karl Fink
Sports Management Award
Hannah Harris
Hamblin Accounting Award
Ethan Mills
Outstanding Student Researcher Psychology Award
Sirena Pangelinan
Outstanding Student in Psychology Award
Emily Hargrove
Health and Human Performance Award
Michael Gauldin
Sarah Hendrix
Recreation Leadership Award
Justin Torbert
Jane Addams Social Work Achievement Award
Kemani Crawford
Outstanding Social Work Student Award
Alexis Witcher
Dr. Ken McCreedy Outstanding Criminal Justice Graduating Senior Award
Emily Hargrove
Dr. Betty N. Bailey Silver Weaver Award
Kelsey Carlton
Delta Kappa Gamma Outstanding Woman in Education Award
Briana Farmer
Charles A. and Marion C. Skinner Award for Excellence in Education
Tana Heath
Courtney Cox
Jesse Wall
Frank Benjamin Hurt Award
Andrew Todd
Model United Nations – Most Effective Delegate
Charles Chenault
Matthew Wright
Model United Nations – Most Effective Delegation
Charles Chenault
Michael Moneymaker
Advisor’s Choice Award
Charles Chenault
Matthew Wright
President’s Cup
Billie Quesenberry (female)
Logan Meister
Lillie Warwick Slaven Award
Sam Belcher
Arthur S. Owens Award
Nashiem Bryant
Algernon-Sydney Sullivan Award
Jesse Delph
Jeff Gring (Non-Student)
Most Valuable Staff Member Iron Blade
Kaitlin Roeper
Patrick Duggan
Most Valuable Staff Member Chrysalis
Dina Prado
Most Valuable Staff Member Ferrum Radio
Joseph Pace
Tori Akers
Christopher Asmus
Claire Bailey
Samuel Belcher
Thomas Bianchi
Jasmine Boardwine
Tanner Brooks
Kala Brubaker
Nashiem Bryant
Kelsey Carlton
Charles Chenault
Courtney Cox
Kemani Crawford
Jesse Delph
Patrick Duggan
Briana Carel Farmer
Karl Fink
Brandon Garland
Michael Gauldin
Bobbi Guire
Emily Hargrove
Hannah Harris
Tana Health
Sarah Hendrix
Spencer Irby
Caitlin Johnson
Nicol Martins
Logan Meister
Ethan Mills
Michael Moneymaker
Joseph Pace
Sirena Pangelinan
Codie Parker
Dina Prado
Billie Quesenberry
Zachary Reyes
Anna Richardson
Kaitlin Roeper
Summer Smart
Brett Sommers
Rachel Swyhart
Andrew Todd
Emma Topper
Justin Torbert
Sara Underwood
Hunter Wade
Raven Walker
Jesse Wall
Alexis Witcher
Matthew WrightHenry Carkhuff
Dorothy Carroll
Victoria Meza
Andrew ToddSierra Booth
Dorothy Carroll
Jesse Delph
Bethany Fletcher
Patricia Flora
Sarah Garland
Brandon Garland
Michael Gauldin
Sarah Hendrix
Kimberly Keller
Breanne Kretzer
Molly Massey
Taylor McConaghy
Monica McGhee
Morgan McPherson
Victoria Meza
Codie Parker
Billie Quesenberry
Nicholas Sink
Summer Smart
Cheyenne Strickland
Latoya Tucker
Brandon Turner
Casey Turner
Sara Underwood
Crystal Wright
Kaitlin YachemKatie Delph
Samantha Grandle
Hannah Harris
Emily Hargrove
Taylor McConaghy
Caitlyn VaughtMorgan Brown
Malcolm MacRae
Mariah Banks
Jasmine Williams
Kathleena Accillean
Fox Yates
Lacey Matthews
Lechelle Smith
Darrian Marshall
Kathryn Bonner
Kahla Messenger
Tori AkersAnna Richardson
Patricia Flora
Emily Nelson
Jasmine Boardwine
Spencer Irby
Hunter WadeLaura Angle
Ashley Boyd
Taylor Brashear
Katherine Blundell
Kelsey Carlton
Amber Coffin
Brianna Carel (Farmer)
Krista Farrell
Patricia Flora
Tana Heath
Tyler Keesee
Jessica Pruitt
Amanda Roberts
Cheyenne Strickland
Victoria TaylorJason Anstice
Katherine Bonner
Matthew Boyd
Autum Murray-Burns
Dakota Crouse
Taylor Darnell
Leya Deickman
AnnGardner Eubank
Aubrey Fletcher
Hailee Green
Breonna Hall
Layura Henley
Sarah Hodges
Diamond Hudson
Peyton Johnson
Haley Ledbetter
Marquis Lee
Kayla Lentini
Brian Mann
Morgan Scott
Natasha Shelton
Bethany Short
Taylor WoodsKara Agee
Jessica Price
Courtney Rudd
Alexis WitcherClaire M. Bailey
Tanner L. Brooks
Courtney N. Cox
Jonathan C. Dickey
Matthew A. Parker
Matthew J. PoirierHenry T. Carkhuff
Dorothy M. Carroll
Victoria N. MezaIsabella Bermudez
Rachel M. Ellis
Emily Hargrove
Billie Quesenberry
Charissa C. Reter
Lauren Shewski-Higgs
Kenya M. Smith
Ashley Nicole WilesLaura Angle
Jevonte Blount
Katie Blundell
Sierra Booth
Whitney Clifton
Seleste Cowie
Samantha Grandle
Ashley McAllister
Jessica Pruitt
Victoria Taylor
Raven Walker
Kaitlin YachemChantal Aaron
Cheyenne Lemus
Hunter Maxey
Chelsea McConnell
Katie SheetsZachary Anderson
Alex Armstrong
CJ Asmus
Alek Ayer
Michael Barrett
Daniel Batong
Jordyn Bauman
Thomas Betts
Thomas Bianchi
Paul Biggs
Sierra Booth
Dustin Boothe
Jacob Boswell
Marcus Boyer
Frank Boxley
Joshua Brent
Jesse Briggs
Tucker Brown
Jordan Brown
Dustin Browning
Kala Brubaker
Nashiem Bryant
Emily Bucklew
Sianna Burgos-Altman
Mikayla Cannaday
Henry Carkhuff
Jordan Carmony
Dorothy Carroll
Dillon Christian
Christopher Clarke
Amber Coffin
Ty Comer
Bailey Cooper
Cody Cooper
Jabbar Coward
Krista Cox
Hunter Crews
Christian Cromer
Alexandria Dixon
Jacob Drake
Rebecca Forsyth
Morgan Funck
Catelyn Gamble
Graceanne Gershner
Lindsey Slover
Summer Smart
William Smith
Mark Smoot
Brett Sommers
Rashawn Speas
Hannah Stacy
Hayden Storms
Cheyenne Strickland
Samuel Suite
Chase Tallon
Ryan Tesler
Andrew Todd
Jessica Turner
Brandon Turner
Jans Valdespou
Jesse Wall
Dillon Weaver
Megan Webb
Rachel Wells
Maggie Wilbourne
Chelsea Wingate
Austin Winkles
Kaye Woods
Kaitlin Yachem
Bryanna Zent
Robert ZiehfreundChantal Aaron
Zachary Anderson
Jevonte T. Blount
Sierra Margaret Grace Booth
Nashiem Bryant
Emily Bucklew
Jodie Rebecca Byrd
Dorothy Carroll
Peyton Chattin
Tabatha Chitwood
Christopher James Clarke
Justin Costley
Jesse Delph
Kaitlyn Delph
Briana Carel Farmer
Sarah Garland
Graceanne Gershner
Anitria Henderson
NiJee Unique Kaashif
Tyler Keesee
Amber Dawn Moser
Billie Quesenberry
Joshua Sanders
Nicholas Sink
Summer Smart
Cheyenne Strickland
Andrew Todd
Keanah Turner
Sara Underwood
Allison Usry
Tyler Griffin
Brittany Hall
Emily Hargrove
Claire Harris
Hannah Helbert
Anitria Henderson
Sarah Hendrix
Keegan Howver
Michael Hunter
Jacob Irvin
Alicia Jones
Seth Jordan
CJ Kaashif
Chet Kinney
Anthony Konieczka
Breanne Kretzer
Cheyenne Lemus
Aiyana Lew
Kayla Lindsay
Alexandra Madden
Jake Martin
Meghin Martin
Clay Massie
Heather Mayberry
Ashley Mcallister
Koby McMahon
Logan Meister
Hailey Meyer
Victoria Meza
Tyler Morgan
Monica Morris
Christian Mosier
Emily Nelson
Sirena Pangelinan
Karlee Pendleton
Jake Perkins
Danielle Persson
Matthew Poirier
Billie Quesenberry
Kevin Ramirez
Audrey Ramsey
Anna Richardson
Easton Riggs
Chris Roberson
Amanda Roberts
Courtney Rudd
Kelly Savage
Rachel Scott
William Sharp
Laurel Skinner
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Next week, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine will travel to Central, Southern and Southwest Virginia to discuss jobs and the economy, education, and other issues impacting local communities. President Trump’s proposed budget drastically cuts federal investment in rural infrastructure and economic development, which would reduce rural Virginians’ access to clean water, safe roads and bridges, well-funded public schools, and quality, affordable health care. Kaine’s roles on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and Senate Budget Committee give him a platform to share the conversations he has around the Commonwealth as he advocates against these cuts in the Senate.
Kaine’s itinerary includes a Wednesday, April 12 stop at Ferrum College where he will address students, faculty and staff in Vaughn Chapel from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. His remarks will include his plans to work with his colleagues across the aisle to rewrite the Higher Education Act to make it easier for first generation college students, like many of those who attend Ferrum, to have access to an affordable, high-quality education. Kaine’s address will be available to watch live online here beginning at 9:25 a.m. His archived remarks will be available for viewing after the event by selecting the “On Demand” tab here.
The Higher Education Act (HEA) was created in 1965 and was a sweeping law governing federal higher education programs. The law has been rewritten eight separate times. The current HEA was set to expire at the end of 2013 but was extended through 2016 while Congress worked on the next reauthorization. Among the issues that likely will be included in the final bill are affordability and college costs; access, persistence and completion; better information for consumers; student loan programs; accreditation and oversight; innovation; and the burden of federal regulations. Two bills to amend the HEA were recently introduced on the floor of the Senate and referred to the HELP Committee, one by Sen. Gary Peters [D-MI] and the other by Sen. Bernard Sanders [I-VT].
Ferrum Panthers Men’s Basketball program cover from the 1994-95 season includes (seated, L-R) Albert Hobbs, John Breedlove, and Kevin Keatts; and (standing, L-R) Louis Westbrook, Paul Rivera, and Chuck Ellis
James Johnson ’93
Former Ferrum Panthers teammates Kevin Keatts ’95 and James Johnson ’93 recently reunited at North Carolina State after Keatts, who was named the new NC State men’s basketball coach in March, hired Johnson to be one of his assistants. Keatts and Johnson were part of the only Ferrum College men’s basketball team to ever advance to the NCAA Division III tournament (1992). The long-time friends each played for and coached under Bill Pullen, head coach for the Panthers from 1985-96. Prior to their coming together at NC State, Keatts was head coach for UNC Wilmington and Johnson was the director of men’s basketball operations at Miami.
Read more in Mark Berman’s article in The Roanoke Times here.
Ferrum Panthers Men’s Basketball During Johnson & Keatts Years
A 2016-17 Psi Chi Spring Undergraduate Research Grant was awarded to Sirena Pangelinan for her proposal entitled “Adventure therapy’s effects on anxiety and mood in college students”. Her proposal was in the top eight of all applicants received, resulting in a total award amount of $3,000. Sirena is double majoring in Psychology and Social Work with a minor in Sociology. She is a senior who anticipates graduating in May 2018.
Students participated in a Model United Nations Security Council at Ferrum College on Saturday, March 18. A role-playing experience designed to convey the full richness, complexity, drama, and importance of international affairs, the Model United Nations Security Council is an annual event at Ferrum College that has been ongoing for more than 25 years. The Political Science, International Studies, and History Departments host the event.
“The event allows students from any major the opportunity to engage in real world events through a simulated Model United Nations Security Council meeting. The students have the opportunity to role play as one of the current country delegations sitting on the Security Council. The event is designed to broaden students’ understanding of world events, enhance their critical thinking and research skills, and develop their oral and written communication skills through the drafting and presentation of resolutions presented to the entire body. Students also engage in negotiation, debate, and diplomatic dialogue,” explained Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Studies Program Coordinator Dr. Sandra Via.
“Students are given the opportunity to request a country that is currently represented on the UN Security Council from a list provided. However, the assignment of a delegation is on a first come, first serve basis. There are always 15 countries represented on the Security Council. Ten of those delegations rotate, and five are considered permanent members (also known as the P5) of the Security Council. The P5 countries are the US, UK, France, China, and Russia. These are typically the most coveted delegations,” continued Via.
“The topics of the Model UN change each year. We (the advisors) typically try to highlight three significant security problems occurring in the world. We also see what issues the UN Security Council is monitoring at the time the tentative agenda is created for the students. However, items can be added to the agenda. For instance, North Korea’s recent missile launches occurred after the tentative agenda was sent out to students, but several students wrote resolutions pertaining to the topic and added it to the agenda for discussion. Ultimately, participation in the event requires that students keep up with current events and be prepared for any possible situation,” Via concluded.
