Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results (VALOR) is the state’s premier agricultural leadership training program.
FERRUM, VA. (August 10, 2016) – Dr. Tim Durham, assistant professor of agronomy and agricultural science and agriculture program coordinator at Ferrum College, recently graduated from Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results (VALOR), the state’s premier agricultural leadership training program, which celebrated the graduation of its second class of leadership fellows at the Hotel Roanoke on July 16, 2016, according to a Virginia Tech press release.
The two-year VALOR program included course-based learning; hands-on agriculture production experience throughout the state; understanding of agricultural policy and communication through visits to the state and nation’s capitals; and a trip to Vietnam to gain a global perspective on agriculture.
“As a newcomer to Ferrum College, it was critical to get immersed in statewide ag circles as soon as possible. VALOR provided that outlet, helping me build a Rolodex of contacts to leverage in and out of the classroom. At the same time, I was afforded the opportunity to evaluate and hone my leadership style (as ag program coordinator), and received valuable media and governmental relations training,” said Durham.
In addition to Durham, who lives in Callaway, Va., graduating fellows include Marilyn Adams, a Farm Credit branch manager from Purcellville, Va.; Lauren Arbogast, a digital learning designer and poultry producer from Harrisonburg, Va.; Shelley Barlow, a cotton and row crop farmer from Chuckatuck, Va.; Basil Gooden, state director of Rural Development (USDA) and Virginia’s incoming secretary of agriculture and forestry from Buckingham, Va.; M. James Faison, president, Milton’s Local from Hopewell, Va.; Jennifer Leech, a dairy herdsperson from Lexington, Va.; Albert Reid, a Virginia State University 4-H specialist from Ettrick, Va.; Adam Shiflett, Farm Credit lending team leader from Staunton, Va.; Josh Stephens, a petroleum sales manager from Quicksburg, Va.; Joe Wilkerson, landscaping business owner from South Boston, Va.; and Cliff Williamson, regulatory affairs with the American Horse Council from Culpeper, Va.
“This class brought a new level of diverse backgrounds and ideas to VALOR,” said Director Megan Seibel. “As a collective voice, representing individual strengths and interests, they join the alumni in gaining recognition for the profound potential of our program and its fellows.”
According to the release, VALOR is one program of about 40 active agricultural leadership programs in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia that promotes culturally appropriate agricultural leadership training that uses a research-based experiential learning approach to build professional leadership skills. The program is housed in Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education. Support for VALOR comes from the Farm Credit of the Virginias and the Virginia Farm Bureau, small businesses, foundations, and generous individuals.
About the photograph: Front row from left: Marilyn Adams, of Purcellville, Virginia; Shelley Barlow, of Chuckatuck, Virginia; Director Megan Seibel; Jennifer Leech, of Lexington, Virginia; and Lauren Arbogast, of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Back row from left: Cliff Williamson, of Culpeper, Virginia; M. James Faison, of Hopewell, Virginia; Adam Shiflett, of Staunton, Virginia; Josh Stephens, of Quicksburg, Virginia; Timothy Durham, of Callaway, Virginia; Basil Gooden, of Buckingham, Virginia; and Joe Wilkerson, of South Boston, Virginia. Not pictured: Albert Reid, of Ettrick, Virginia. Photo courtesy of Amber Stephens.
Ferrum College is featured in Jess Daddio’s article “Outdoor U: Best Adventure Campuses in the Blue Ridge” article in the August issue of Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. Check it out here.
Also a Ferrum College Board of Trustees member, Karavatakis has been employed with Carter Bank & Trust for 38 years.
Phyllis Q. Karavatakis ’76 has been elected president of Carter Bank & Trust by the bank’s Board of Directors.
Karavatakis has been employed with Carter Bank & Trust for 38 years, most recently as executive vice president and chief lending officer.
Karavatakis earned an associate degree from Ferrum College, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Richmond. She is a graduate of the Virginia Bankers Association School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia, and has completed multiple courses and seminars relating to the banking industry.
Karavatakis currently serves on the boards of trustees for several entities, including The Launch Place in Danville; Ferrum College, where she is chair of the audit committee; and the Virginia Bankers Association School of Bank Management. She is a former chair of the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce, a founding board member of the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber’s Partnership for Economic Growth, and was the 2009 recipient of the Heck Ford Award, the highest leadership honor awarded by the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber.
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FERRUM, VA. (July 1, 2016) – This summer, Ferrum College alum Layne Dillon ’16, of Rocky Mount, Va., is one of a small number of people getting a close look at state government by taking part in the prestigious Virginia Governor’s Fellowship Program. Dillon, who graduated this spring with a political science degree, is working in the Governor’s Policy Office through July 29.
“I hope to soak up as much experience as I can during the two short months I will be in the Governor’s Policy Office, which plays a critical role within any Governor’s administration because of the influence they have over the wide range of policy issues and initiatives the Governor hopes to promote or complete during his or her term in office,” said Dillon.
Dillon applied to the Governor’s Fellowship Program because of the multitude of opportunities the Program has afforded previous fellows, such as candidate for the Mayor of Richmond and former Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney, who served as executive in residence at Ferrum College in October 2015. “I also applied to the Governor’s Fellowship program because, to my knowledge, no Ferrum College student or graduate has ever been accepted into the program. I hope by participating in this prestigious program and promoting the College to the best of my ability, more Ferrum College students or graduates are also afforded this amazing opportunity,” explained Dillon.
According to its website, the Virginia Governor’s Fellowship Program “offers a select group of outstanding and highly motivated individuals the opportunity to experience firsthand the administration of state government in the Commonwealth of Virginia.” Fellowship program participants must have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in academics, shown leadership ability, participated in extracurricular activities, and been active in community service.
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FERRUM, VA. (June 20, 2016) – Dr. Joseph Carson Spooner has been appointed the eleventh president of Ferrum College. Spooner currently serves as the Dean of Jonathan Edwards College at Yale University where he has been integral in his support of students in their academic, co-curricular, and personal pursuits.
Chair of the Ferrum College Presidential Search Committee Robert W. Todd ’67 announced the appointment following the selection by the College Board of Trustees. Spooner was unanimously chosen by the Board and will assume his new role on August 1, 2016. The appointment follows an extensive national search that began after current President Dr. Jennifer L. Braaten announced her desire to retire after 14 years of service.
A first-generation college student from a small family farm in northern Florida, Spooner received his Bachelor of Arts from Yale University in 1991, his Master of Arts in American Studies from Florida State University in 1995, and his Doctorate of Philosophy in History from the University of Edinburgh in 2013. Prior to his appointment as Dean at Yale University, he held teaching and administrative positions at Chipola College, Florida State, Williams College and the University of Edinburgh,
“The search committee spent the past several months reviewing candidates to ensure that the applicants met the criteria necessary to move Ferrum College forward,” said Board of Trustees Chair Samuel L. Lionberger. “We believe that Dr. Spooner fully understands the College’s dynamics and has the vision and leadership skills necessary to take the next evolutionary steps on the Ferrum journey.”
Guided by Dr. Jim Davis of AGB Search, committee members included Board of Trustees members Sam Lionberger, Chair of Board of Trustees, Bob Todd, Chair of Search Committee, and Betty Forbes, Phyllis Karavatakis, Harry Norris, Wilson Paine, Baxter Phillips, Lou Talbutt, and Marilyn West. College representatives included Delia Heck, Associate Professor of Environmental Science, Sandra Via, Assistant Professor of Political Science, and staff members Mike Ferguson, Director of Dining Services, Jan Nicholson Angle, Dean of Chapel & Religious Life, and SGA president Danielle Hannuksela. Franklin County United Way Executive Director Nancy Bell spoke for members of the community.
According to Search Chair Bob Todd, “Throughout the exacting interview process Dr. Spooner was able to articulate pertinent experience and a compelling vision which will build on Ferrum College’s momentum. His hands-on approach and valuable connections are a perfect fit for our aspiration for the growth of the College as well as community and economic development.”
Spooner’s priorities, as he assumes the helm at Ferrum College, include enhancing the academic programs offered, strengthening local, state, national, and international partnerships, and continuing to implement the 2015-2020 Strategic Plan by upholding the historic mission of the College while envisioning a strong future.
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