The Ferrum College Theatre Arts Department will present Cabaret at 7 p.m. March 30 and 31, and April 1 at 7 p.m., and at 2 p.m. on April 2 in Sale Theatre on campus. Cabaret is a musical based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for seniors and non-Ferrum College students. Admission is free to all Ferrum College faculty, staff and students with current ID. Tickets may be ordered online here.

The scene is the Kit Kat Klub, a nightclub in Berlin, as the 1920s are drawing to a close. The Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience to the show and assures them that, whatever their troubles, they will forget them at the Cabaret. Cliff, a young American writer, meets Ernst, a German who surprises Cliff by putting his briefcase among Cliff’s luggage at the German border. Musical numbers include Willkommen, Cabaret, Mein Herr, Maybe This Time, The Money Song and Two Ladies. When we revisit the Klub at the end, much is changed, and show ends with a stark foreshadowing of things to come.

Cabaret contains very strong adult language and situations and is not intended for children under 17. For more information, contact Giuseppe Ritorto at gritorto@ferrum.edu.

Five students and two staff from Ferrum College took an Alternative Spring Break trip last month to Virginia Beach where they assisted two families who are recovering from the effects of Hurricane Matthew, which struck the Virginia coast in October 2016. The team included Stephanie Gibbs, a senior majoring in Health Sciences; Alexis Hatcher, a junior majoring in Religion; Mark Kellam, a sophomore majoring in Environmental Science; Lukas McWhorter, a junior majoring in Environmental Science; Ricky Phillips, a sophomore majoring in Computer Science; Daniel Kyle, assistant director of student leadership and engagement; and Jan Nicholson Angle, dean of the chapel.

The disaster relief work team spent the first two days assisting one family in moving salvageable belongings to storage. “More importantly, our team truly set aside ‘self ‘ and embraced ‘other’ as we listened to this beautiful couple reminisce their favorite family memories, and shed silent tears as they came to terms in parting with family heirlooms that were too water damaged to be saved,” said Dean of the Chapel Jan Nicholson Angle.

The Ferrum College team next assisted a second family by installing wood laminate flooring in both their living and dining rooms. “While the work we did and the skills we attained individually and as team were amazing, NOTHING could take the place of watching Ms. Eleanor at 70+ years of age do her happy dance on her new living room floor,” said Nicholson Angle.

Ferrum College continues to be the only Virginia based United Methodist affiliated college team to volunteer with The Virginia Conference United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Disaster Recovery working to assist families along the Virginia coast who are recovering from both the September 2016 tornado and October 2016 hurricane.

“The survivors consistently showed their gratitude and appreciation not only towards the team, but also towards the materials they still have. They found value in the little things and their faith in God showed us that even when the storm is over, we can still put our trust and faith in God to restore any brokenness we may have,” said Assistant Director of Student Leadership and Engagement Daniel Kyle.

Read more about the mission trip in the following article posts:

Life of Service by Daniel Kyle

Letting Go: Trusting in God’s Plan by Daniel Kyle

Alternative Spring Break 2017: Hurricane Disaster Recovery Mission Trip to Virginia Beach by Dean of the Chapel Jan Nicholson Angle

See additional photographs from the trip here.

Ferrum College will host Frank X Walker and a group of other Affrilachian poets for a poetry reading on Thurs., March 16, 2017, at 7 p.m. in the Panthers Den in Franklin Hall on campus. Joining Walker are poets Dorian Hairston, Asha French, Bernard Clay, and Yvonne Johnson. The event is free and open to the public.

Walker, Kentucky’s Poet Laureate from 2013-2015, coined the term Affrilachia to counter the stereotype that Appalachia is a monochromatic region. An educator, artist, author, activist, and acclaimed “renaissance man,” Walker was honored with a 2014 NAACP Image Award for his book of poetry, Turn Me Loose: The Unghosting of Medgar Evers. His earlier works, Affrilachia and Black Box, have been required reading for sociology students at Ferrum College for the past 16 years.

“The Affrilachian Poets are known for addressing issues unique to the Appalachia region, and powerfully illuminating the complexities of African American history and experiences; yet, their poetry also offers up universal themes which resonate with readers and audience members of all backgrounds,” said Ferrum College Assistant Professor of Sociology Susan Mead, one of the event organizers.

The day before they read at the College, the five Affrilachian poets will appear on Mill Mountain Theatre’s Waldron Stage, located at 20 Church Avenue SE in Roanoke, for an event on Wednesday, March 15, beginning at 6 p.m. that is also free and open to the public. Both event are made possible through partnerships with the Harrison Museum of African American Culture, Mill Mountain Theatre’s Waldron Stage, and Diversity Serves, along with sponsorships from Ferrum College’s Office of Student Leadership and Engagement, the Integrated Programming Board, the Boone Honors Program, and the Social Work and Sociology and English Programs.

For additional information about the upcoming events, contact Dr. Mead at smead@ferrum.edu. For more information about the Affrilachian Poets, visit www.theaffrilachianpoets.com.

Photo of Frank X Walker by Rachel Eliza Griffiths.

The Ferrum College campus community and the public are invited to enjoy camaraderie, good food and the opportunity to help feed the children in need with the return of the popular Empty Bowls event on Sunday, March 12, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room in the College’s Franklin Hall. For $15 (or $10 with a valid student ID), attendees enjoy a hot meal of scratch-made soup and bread served in a handcrafted bowl of their choice, and then can take their “empty bowl” home. Proceeds support the Panther Packs program, which provides food for hungry children of Ferrum Elementary School.

Assistant Professor of Art David Eichelberger, who organizes and facilitates Empty Bowls along with local artist Nell Fredericksen, says that college students, professors, Blue Ridge Potters Guild members, and area volunteers made around 400 unique bowls for this year’s event. In addition, there will also be a silent auction featuring original works of art, including paintings, larger bowls, platters, casseroles, and vases, generously donated by members of the Blue Ridge Potters Guild and other local artists.

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. The Empty Bowls project is designed to educate Ferrum students about how they can make a positive difference in their communities through service.

“It is a special opportunity, for students, professors, area artists, and many more volunteers to come together to contribute to an event that benefits our immediate community. Our efforts parallel Ferrum College’s motto, ‘Not Self, But Others’, and it feels like the right way to help our young neighbors at Ferrum Elementary,“ said Eichelberger.

Pictured from left to right are seniors who were presented with special awards for being members of the Dean’s List seven consecutive semesters: Tania Burton, Jonathan Dickey, Anna Richardson, Emily Hargrove, Sam Belcher, Hannah Harris, and Jesse Delph. Not pictured is Ryan Clingenpeel.

Ferrum College held its annual Dean’s List Dinner on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 5:30 pm in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room. President Jody Spooner described the Dean’s List Dinner as a “wonderful celebration of achievement,” and a great mechanism to “encourage and acknowledge intellectual and academic distinction on our campus.”

The keynote address for the event was delivered by Anna Richardson. The speaker is chosen by virtue of being the student who has been on the Dean’s List the most consecutive semesters, with the highest cumulative GPA. Anna has been a member of the Dean’s List for seven consecutive semesters, and has a 4.0 GPA.

To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must be full-time and earn a 3.4 or higher GPA for the semester. The complete Dean’s List included 188 students from spring 2016, and 255 students from fall 2016. This total represents approximately 20 percent of Ferrum’s full time enrollment. There were 77 students on the Dean’s List who earned a 4.0 GPA during either the spring 2016 or fall 2016 semester. Dr. Gail Summer, Vice President of Academic Affairs, both congratulated and challenged those in attendance. “Congratulations to each and every one of you. What a wonderful reason to celebrate those of you gathered here who have achieved academic excellence! Keep up the excellent work!”

See additional photographs here.Chantal Aaron

Jhelan Amir Abdullah

Ryan Scott Abrell

Alice DeAnn Ahlfield

Tori Mackenzie Akers

Amber Lynn Allen

Katherine Lynn Anderson

Laura Beth Angle

Mark Serguei Aptekhmanov

Donald Eugene Ault

Hannah Elizabeth Barnhill

Jordyn Erin Bauman

Samuel Thomas Belcher

Tyler Daniel Belcher

Brooke Lauren Bennett

Isabella Bermudez

Thomas Jahmal Betts

Thomas Bernard Bianchi

Marybeth Crystal Bond

Sierra Margaret Grace Booth

Jenna Ann Brackman

Justin T. Branch

Taylor A. Brashear

Joshua M. Brent

Adam Kenneth Bresson

Jesse Atticus Briggs

Tanner Logan Brooks

Morgan Julian Brown

Sharease Deneeh Brown

Brittany Leigh Brummitt

Nashiem Marquis Bryant

Tania Janae Burton

Nathan Calcote Byrd

Daniel Patrick Calabrese

Briana Marie Carel

Rebecca Danielle Cariens

Henry Thomas Carkhuff

Dorothy Morgan Carroll

Ashley Morgan Charters

Peyton Olivia Chattin

Whitney Anne Clifton

Sidney Marie Clinevell

Ryan Alan Clingenpeel

Amber Elizabeth Coffin

Jennifer Paige Coleman

John David Cornwell

Justin Litt Costley

Seleste Ann Cowie

Krista Cox

Kayla Michelle Crawford

Christian Glenn Cromer

Jazzmin D’Nett Dabney

Hannah Jewell Davis

Samantha Leigh Davis

Jesse Daye Delph

Kaitlyn Skye Delph

Jonathan Corbet Dickey

Layne Gregory Dillon

Amanda Christine Dollman

Jacob Benjamin Drake

Shakoya L. Duncan

Bryan Alan Ehrenfried

Rachael Marlene Ellis

Bethany Louise Fletcher

Patricia Anne Flora

Rebecca E. Forsyth

Catelyn Lenore Gamble

Brandon William Garland

Sarah Roshell Garland

Michael Lee Gauldin

Graceanne Patricia Gershner

Samantha Renae Goad

Samantha Joyce Grandle

Austin Hayes Gray

Michael George Gresham

Tyler Andrew Griffin

Shekeem Hairston

Brittany Anne Hall

Emily Mason Hargrove

Gettys Gray Harris

Hannah Elisabeth Harris

Jodie Rebecca Harrison

Tyland Norvet Haywood

Tana Jo Heath

Sarah Nicole Hendrix

Thais Akamine Hiray

Dustin Lee Hylton

Robert Spencer Irby

Jaimon Donique Jefferson

Caitlin McCall Johnson

Alicia N. Jones

Nijee Unique Kaashif

Walker Wilford Kale

Culin Keenan

Mark Vincent Kellam

Jessa Elizabeth King

Breanne N Kretzer

Aiyana Elise Lew

Alexandra Renee Madden

Briana Marie Marchese

Meghin Leigh Martin

Michaela Danielle Martinez

Molly Anna Massey

Hunter Paige Maxey

Taylor Alexandra McConaghy

Ernest Kevin McCoy

Monica Lauren McGhee

Stephanie Danielle McIntyre

Koby Anthony McMahon

Morgan A. McPherson

Emma Carolyn Meadors

Logan Meister

William Argeny Melendez

John Lyle Melesco

Kayla Michelle Messenger

Victoria Nichole Meza

Ethan Ray Mills

Quentin Kelly Montgomery

Danielle Stuart Moon

Monica Michelle Morris

Nathan Tyler Motley

Matthew James Murphy

Emily Nicole Nelson

Kayla Michelle Newkirk

Christina Oubkeo

Tamiah Jannae Palmer

Sirena Marie Pangelinan

Codie Shannon Parker

Sarah Beth Patnaude

Danielle Elizabeth Persson

Ricky Lee Phillips

Billie Joan Quesenberry

Audrey Ramsey

Joyce-Marie Faye Ray

Zachary Louden Reyes

Anna Sheree Richardson

Easton Tyler Riggs

Sierra Summer Roach

Amanda Renee Roberts

Addison Victoria Schmitt

Kyra Lynn Baxter Schultz

Rachel Katherine Scott

William A. Sharp

Amy Erica Shorter

Cierra Leigh Simmons

Jamie Lee Sink

Nicholas Coleman Sink

Lindsey Rhiannon Slover

Summer Joy Smart

Diamond Mone’ Smiley

Ashley Marie Smith

Heather Anita Smith

Kirstin Sterling Smith

Mika Elizabeth Smith

Mark Branson Smoot

Alexander Edward Soltani

Brett Dennis Sommers

Luke Anthony Sorrentino

Hannah Rose Stacy

Rachel Mae Stone

Hayden William Storms

Cheyenne Mackenzie Strickland

Rachel Nicole Swyhart

Iesha Taylor

Victoria Nicole Taylor

Andrew Todd

Emma Kathryn Topper

Justin Darryl Torbert

Sean Thomas Trollinger

Latoya Sheree Tucker

Brandon M. Turner

Casey Lynn Turner

Jessica Lauren Turner

Keanah Lashea Turner

Sara Ann Underwood

Allison Usry

Russell Franklin Vess

Raven Alexandria Walker

Lauren Raquel Webster

Maggie Rae Wilbourne

Ashley Nicole Wiles

Alexis Jewell Witcher

Kaye Anne Marie Woods

Crystal Dawn Wright

Joshua Glen Wright

Kaitlin Yachem

Alexander Thomas Young

Alexandra Shannon YoungChantal Aaron

Ryan Scott Abrell

Katherine Lynn Anderson

Laura Beth Angle

Mark Serguei Aptekhmanov

Rachael Atkins

Alek Brian Ayer

Claire Mason Bailey

Mariah Jeanne Banks

Lyneiro Bassfield

Samuel Thomas Belcher

Katelin Ashley Benton

Isabella Bermudez

Nicholas Eugene Blaisdell-Black

Jasmine Lynne Boardwine

Tristan Xavier Bonds

Sierra Margaret Grace Booth

Courtnee Danielle Boyd

Matthew Lane Boyd

Taylor Moorefield Bradsher

Joshua M. Brent

Tanner Logan Brooks

Morgan Julian Brown

Kala Brubaker

Sianna Reigine Burgos-Altman

Jodie Rebecca Byrd

Briana Marie Carel

Kelsey Leigh Carlton

Dorothy Morgan Carroll

Ashley Morgan Charters

Tabatha Chitwood

Hye Yeon Cho

Cameron Denny Clark

Whitney Anne Clifton

Amber Elizabeth Coffin

Roderick J. Coker

Brittain Delsin Conde

Courtney Nicole Cox

Hunter Logan Crews

Jazzmin D’Nett Dabney

Brian Daniel Davis

Derek Delauter

Kaitlyn Skye Delph

Kassie N Dingeldein

Taylor Marie Dodson

Patrick Garst Duggan

AnnGardner Eubank

Krista Ashley Farrell

Bethany Louise Fletcher

Jacqueline Hunter Fox

Catelyn Lenore Gamble

Brandon William Garland

Michael Lee Gauldin

Samantha Joyce Grandle

Mattie Elizabeth Green

Brittany Anne Hall

Rachel A. Hancock

Claire Madison Harris

Tyler Scott Johnson Hartline

Tana Jo Heath

Layura Grace Henley

Robert Spencer Irby

Maleeka Jones

Moe Kanzaki

Tyler Keith Keesee

Kimberly Ann Keller

Chet Aaron Kinney

Anthony Price Konieczka

Rebecca Lynn Laflamme

Richard Hayden Leigh

Ciara Nicole Lynch

Miranda Diana Mallory

Nicole Marie Mantei

Nicol Flores Martins

Molly Anna Massey

Taylor Alexandra McConaghy

Koby Anthony McMahon

Emma Carolyn Meadors

Logan Meister

Hailey Ross Meyer

Ethan Ray Mills

Quentin Kelly Montgomery

Tyler Joseph Morgan

Kelli Mounce

Travis Eugene Murray

Emily Nicole Nelson

Tyler Paul Newman

Callie Elizabeth O’Brien

Christina Oubkeo

Tristan Kenneth Ousterhout

Tamiah Jannae Palmer

Codie Shannon Parker

Ricky Lee Phillips

Matthew John Poirier

Jessica Marie Pruitt

Audrey Ramsey

Charissa Cheyenne Reter

Zachary Louden Reyes

Victoria Christian Rice

Caileigh Elizabeth Riggs

Colin Westley Ross

Courtney Ellyn Rudd

Niamh Mary Sammon

Brendon Joseph Schrantz

Vladimir Sergeevich Semenov

Kasey McKenzie Sheets

Lauren Alexandra Shewski-Higgs

Nicholas Coleman Sink

Kenya Monique Smith

Alexander Edward Soltani

Rashawn Terrell Speas

Taylor Marie Stinnett

Cheyenne Mackenzie Strickland

Iesha Taylor

Amber Lynn Thompson

Andrew Todd

Justin Darryl Torbert

Latoya Sheree Tucker

Casey Lynn Turner

Erin Marie Ulm

Caitlyn Monique Vaught

Raven Alexandria Walker

Lia White

Alexis Jewell Witcher

Tristan Logan Woods

Joshua Glen Wright

Kaitlin Yachem

Robert Grant Ziehfreund

Justin Todd Zimmerman

Ferrum, Va. (Oct. 11, 2016) – There is only one place to eat a homemade fried apple pie, watch coon dogs in a cross-pond race, and hear a national guitar flatpicker, all at the same time. On Saturday, October 22^nd, the annual Blue Ridge Folklife Festival will bring together on the Ferrum College campus dozens of regional living-heritage treasures—country cooks, craftspeople, musicians, moonshine tale tellers, draft horse and dog handlers, car builders, tractor restorers, and much more. The result is a full day of unforgettable family-friendly entertainment.

The Blue Ridge Folklife Festival is a treat for all the senses. Draft horses pound the ground in log skidding and weight pulling contests. Sheep dogs drive their flocks to whistled commands. Coon hounds bark and bay in treeing contests and water races. The BRFF also features the state championship coon mule jumping contest, harkening back to the days when hunters pursued raccoons on “muleback” at night.

Music pours continuously from three festival music stages offering 21 hours of fiddle-and-banjo tunes, bluegrass, gospel, country blues, ballads, and sentimental mountain songs. Three special workshops highlight Blue Ridge guitar styles, family band traditions, and the songs of Southwest Virginia’s legendary singing school master, L. V. Jones. For foot-tappers, old-time dance string bands and bluegrass pickers abound at the BRFF.

For those whose preferred “music” is the rumble of burning gasoline and the hiss of steam, the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival attracts over 250 custom and restored vehicles and scores of tractors and hit-and-miss engines. With flywheels spinning, antique massive power machinery demonstrates rock crushing, threshing, and hay baling.

The BRFF showcases over 50 regional craftspeople demonstrating the heritage hand skills they learned in their families and communities. Shoppers find a host of traditional craft items not found at craft shows, including hand-split oak baskets, lye soap, and musical instruments. On the moonshine stage old moonshiners and revenuers swap tales of their exploits years ago, while children run and laugh in the folk games area. Then there’s the food—20 old-time country foods to please any taste.

“Our festival presents the living heritage of the Blue Ridge,” said BRFF director Roddy Moore. “These talented people are true regional treasures.”

Held rain or shine, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the Ferrum College campus, the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival is a one-of-a-kind experience. Priced with the family in mind, admission is: Adults–$10; Youth (6-15)–$5; and Senior Citizens (60 and over)–$5. Advance tickets can be purchased by check or credit card at 540-365-4412. Parking is free.

For more information, visit www.blueridgefolklifefestival.org, email bri@ferrum.edu, or call 540-365-4412.

Ferrum, Va. (Oct. 10, 2016) – Ferrum College Criminal Justice Program faculty and an alumna presented research during the Virginia Association of Criminal Justice Educators (VACJE) Annual Meeting held September 29-30, 2016, in Roanoke, Va. The presenters included Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice David Nicholson and Deputy Megan Patterson ’11, Medical Officer, Office of the Sheriff, Franklin County.

The VACJE meeting also included a panel discussion of police and community relations with a group from the Roanoke Chapter of the NAACP and the newly elected Roanoke City Mayor, the Honorable Sherman Lea.

“The VACJE conference in Roanoke exceeded all of my expectations. I was particularly impressed with the discussion that we had with Ms. Brenda Hale and the Roanoke Chapter of the NAACP on the issue of race relations between law enforcement and the minority community. It was evident from our discussion that each side was listening to and hearing the other,” said Professor of Criminal Justice and Program Coordinator William Osborne, who is also president of the VACJE.

About the photograph: Ferrum College alumna Megan Patterson ’11 presented her research “How the Franklin County, VA Sheriff’s Office Implemented Naloxone As A Strategy to Combat Opioid Overdoses” at the VACJE annual meeting held at the end of September.

Ferrum, Va. (Oct. 7, 2016) – Every academic year, Ferrum College environmental science program faculty and students partner with Western Virginia Water Authority, Blue Ridge Soil & Water Conservation District, and Benjamin Franklin Middle School educators to teach Franklin Co. 6th graders about human and environmental impacts to watersheds and water quality. This is accomplished with a week of classroom programming followed by Creek Week, during which students spend their class period at Powder Mill Creek on the middle school property collecting and analyzing the benthic macroinvertebrate population, using probeware and conducting chemical tests to measure pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature, etc. The students draw conclusions about the creek’s water quality and relate their observations of the immediate watershed to their data. Working alongside the College’s Environmental Science program students and faculty, the middle school students also have the opportunity to learn about ways they can further their science education.

Creek Week details and photographs courtesy of Sarah Baumgardner of the Western Virginia Water Authority.

Read the article that appeared in The Franklin News-Post here.

The Japan Foundation awarded the grant to Franklin County Public Schools.

Ferrum, Va. (Oct. 6, 2016) – Japanese Outreach Initiative Coordinator Taiki Sawabe, who is hosted by Ferrum College, recently helped Franklin County Public Schools secure a Japan Foundation Grant to support their “Japanese Language Advocacy Project in Southwestern Virginia” project. The grant will cover the costs for flash cards kits, Hiragana flashcards, Hiragana posters, Kamishibai kits, Origami papers, Japanese folktales picture books, Japanese learning books for beginners, GENKI textbooks and teacher’s manual, calligraphy sets, and kendama toys.

Sawabe is at Ferrum College for two years to share Japanese language and culture with the local community. According to Vice President of Academic Affairs Gail Summer, Sawabe’s work at the College and in surrounding public schools should help discourage stereotypes, provide perspectives on Japan and Japanese culture and thinking, and celebrate US and Japanese similarities over differences in order to encourage effective communication. Sawabe will also deepen his understanding of the US and its citizens, which he will share when he returns to Japan.

30 people representing 10 area businesses attended the ABC Business Education Forum held on campus.

Ferrum, Va. (Oct. 4, 2016) – Ferrum College Police sponsored an ABC Business Education Forum on Tues., Oct. 4, 2016. 30 community members representing 10 area businesses and restaurants learned about ABC laws; tactics for identifying false IDs; how to address questionable alcohol sales; and the consequences of illegal alcohol sales. Forum speakers included Virginia ABC Special Agent Mike Scott and DMV Special Agent in Charge Kelley Powell.

Additional community forums will be held in the future. For more information, contact Ferrum Chief of Police Jim Owens at (540) 365-4255 or jfowens@ferrum.edu.

The recently appointed secretary of agriculture and forestry for the Commonwealth of Virginia will share career insights during 11:15 a.m. keynote address.

Ferrum, Va. (Sept. 16, 2016) – Basil I. Gooden, who was appointed secretary of agriculture and forestry for the Commonwealth of Virginia in July, will be the next executive in residence at Ferrum College on Wed., Sept. 21, 2016. During his time at the College, Gooden will share his career experiences with students in a number of classes and give a public keynote address at 11:15 a.m. in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room in Franklin Hall on campus.

Prior to his appointment as Virginia secretary of agriculture and forestry by Governor Terry McAuliffe, Gooden was selected by President Obama for the role of state director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Gooden previously served as the chief deputy director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and the state director of USDA Rural Development for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Before joining USDA, he served as the chief deputy director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, as the coordinator of outreach and community relations at Virginia Tech, and with the Virginia Cooperative Extension as an extension specialist where he designed and implemented a statewide research project to assess community issues impacting localities across Virginia. Some of his previous professional experiences include working as a legislative assistant to a former U.S congressman from the Fifth Congressional District of Virginia and a legislative aide to a former U.S. senator from Virginia. He is an active board member of several statewide organizations such as the Council for Rural Virginia, Housing Virginia, EarthCraft Virginia, Preservation Virginia, and the Virginia Cooperative Extension State Extension Leadership Council. He previously served as an advisor on the Buckingham/Cumberland County FSA County Committee.

Gooden is a native of Buckingham County, Va., where he and his family still own and operate a cattle farm.

The Executive in Residence initiative at Ferrum College brings the real world business experience of current and retired business professionals to campus. Guest executives tour the College, audit classes, interact with students and faculty, and are asked to deliver a lecture sharing their personal experiences and philosophies. Speakers offer insight on the knowledge, skills and leadership qualities necessary for a successful business career.