Ferrum College will honor the Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022 during a ceremony on Saturday, November 12, 2022, which will be held at 10 a.m. (registration begins at 9 a.m.) in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room in Franklin Hall on campus. This year’s honorees, which include three former football players, a three-sport student-athlete, and a golfer, are:
Members of the Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022 will also be introduced at halftime of Ferrum’s Old Dominion Athletic Conference football game against Averett University later that day.
Register to attend this year’s Sports Hall of Fame Ceremony here.
Ferrum College’s Student Newspaper Launches a New Website to Reach Broader Audiences
The clacking of keyboards. Giddy laughter. Nervous tension filled the newsroom the morning of the website launch, as reporters awaited the start of the next chapter for their paper.
The Iron Blade, Ferrum College’s student run newspaper, has been publishing for 67 years, and last year won a first-place award from the American Scholastic Press Association. However, this year marks the first year of digital publication on the website, a step forward for the student-run newspaper.
“What I love about the site is that it goes far beyond its hardcopy predecessor by being a multimedia window in the heart and soul of Ferrum College,” President David Johns said, following the launch of the new website.
The website went live Sept. 1 and will contain a variety of news content, including sports, entertainment alumni news, and videos. The site is being frequently updated by staff writers to provide up-to-date and current stories.
“To be able to have an independent website that may be constantly updated with current information really takes the program and the publication deeper into the 21st Century,” David Campbell, journalism professor and advisor to The Iron Blade, said. “This is where journalism is today, and our students are meeting it head on.”
The staff intend to use the new website as a way to reach a broader audience, and connect students with the goings-on both on campus and in the Ferrum Community as a whole, a goal the college supports.
“This provides the opportunity for our award-winning newspaper to reach a broader office and to provide even more current information,” Kevin Reilly, Vice President of Academic Affairs, said.
The Iron Blade’s new website can be reached at www.ironbladenews.com.
FERRUM, VA (September 15, 2022) – Ferrum College Arthur, 1913, and Beckham Giving Society members gathered on Saturday, September 10, 2022, to celebrate the impact of the $3.2 million the College received during the 2021–2022 fiscal year. Donors enjoyed a luncheon, a keynote address from President David Johns, and met two students—Makayla Fincanon and JaQuice Sydnor—who shared how the ongoing financial support to the college made their college experience possible.
Fincanon, a junior Political Science major, explained how the sense of community at Ferrum has equipped her to dream big and pursue a career as a criminal law attorney.
“Ferrum made me believe no dream is too big. With such a small community you have someone in your corner, some connection, and someone helping you achieve your dreams every day. Ferrum made me realize the sky truly is the limit when you have such a strong foundation of people rooting for you. [It] made me a go-getter [who] turned my dreams into plans,” said Fincanon.
Attendees also heard from Sydnor, a senior Recreation Leadership major, who shared his inspirational story of overcoming a difficult childhood to being a senior at college. He detailed how he has learned much more than academics during his Ferrum College experience, including the importance of perspective, financial responsibility, and mental health.
“Ferrum put great people in my life to hold expectations for me and point out the greatness I had inside of me. I would like to thank Ferrum for accepting me as one of their own and pushing the boy in me to become a man. The values I now carry with me everyday were born in this very place,” said Sydnor, who continued, “I look forward to walking across the stage as a graduate of Ferrum College next spring. I know that my possibilities are endless.”
Over the past three years, Ferrum has experienced a 62% increase in giving from $1.9 million in 2020 to the $3.2 million in 2022, which includes $835,000 in scholarships and another $600,000 in grants providing students academic and financial support. Giving society members also supported capital improvement projects including updating the soon-to-be-named Vickie Van Kleeck Softball Complex; a new driving range for the men’s and women’s golf teams; and the establishment of the Richard L. Smith Center for International Programs in memory of Richard Smith, a longtime history professor at the College who passed away in 2021.
Vice President for Institutional Advancement Wilson Paine thanked donors for continuing to make attending Ferrum College possible for so many students. Paine noted the importance of not only focusing on cost, but also recognizing the value of the entire educational experience.
“I think the students who shared their stories today reflect Ferrum’s worth and the difference it has made in their lives,” said Paine.
Because of your support, we are able to ensure Ferrum remains affordable and attainable for our students, even while we continue to build for the future by rolling out new programs like nursing, graduate programs, renovating buildings, and everything else that goes into running a college. Thank you for joining us in making that possible for these students and many more to come,” Paine concluded.
About the photograph above: Ferrum College juniors JaQuice Sydnor (left) and Makayla Fincanon (right) spoke during the President’s Luncheon, sharing how the ongoing financial support to the College made their college experience possible. View additional event photographs below or click here.
The Carter Center for Academic Success and the Panther Academic Den (PAD) recently awarded the inaugural Bob Davis Academic Grit Award to Jaylyn Gray-Palmore, a rising senior majoring in Health and Human Performance, from Charlotte, NC.
Gray-Palmore is an outside linebacker for the Ferrum College football team and has been selected as a 2022 team captain. He earned 2021-22 ODAC All-Academic Team honors and has earned Dean’s List recognition. Gray-Palmore is also a member of Ferrum’s Brother4Brother peer mentor program.
Gray-Palmore is a 20-year cancer survivor. His positive and effervescent personality has led to teammates referring to him as a “hype guy”. He shared that he has fully enjoyed his Ferrum experience. “Jaylan wants to be remembered as ‘a good, smiling person who shows love to everybody’. This young man is the embodiment of the true meaning of student-athlete,” said Director of the PAD Tom Steele.
The award, named in memory of Coach Bob Davis, was made possible through a memorial gift from the Davis family following Coach Davis’ passing in May of 2021. The father-in-law of former head football coach Rob Grande, Coach Davis was an assistant defensive coach for the Panthers. He also served student-athletes as an academic tutor in the PAD. Coach Davis was loved and appreciated by all students with whom he interacted.
Steele shared, “Bob was one-of-a-kind, just a really fine individual. He was one of the most intelligent individuals I’ve known and possessed a gift of helping students process information. He was a dear friend and is sorely missed by his students and by all of us in the PAD.”
The Bob Davis Academic Grit award is given to the Ferrum football player who made the most improvement in GPA. Gray-Palmore was selected for the award due to his consistent work with Coach Davis in the PAD, which led to improving his semester GPA from 2.15 to 3.60. Coach Davis always referred to Gray-Palmore as “Dean’s List Gray-Palmore” and was extremely proud of this young man.
Ferrum College congratulates Jaylyn Gray-Palmore and extends sincere appreciation to the family of Bob Davis for keeping Coach’s legacy alive.
Ferrum College will welcome new Ferrum College students and families to campus for PAWS sessions on May 21, June 25, June 27, July 23, and July 25, 2022. During PAWS, students and their families visit campus for a day to connect with other incoming students and make new friends; learn about campus life, including housing and dining services, from current students and staff; explore College resources and services; and talk with faculty about their fall 2022 class schedule.
To attend a PAWS session, accepted students must have paid their $250 confirmation deposit, registered for PAWS, and completed their online Road2Ferrum checklist. Parents or guardians are encouraged to attend and other family members are welcome.
To learn more about PAWS, please visit https://dev.ferrum.edu/admission/panther-paws/.
An integral part of the PAWS experience is the student leadership team. To learn more about this year’s team, including fun facts and why they selected Ferrum College, please see the student profiles below.
Makayla Fincanon ’23, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Criminal Justice, chose Ferrum because she was made to feel welcomed by the softball team and made friendships from her first visit.
Josh Luckett ’25, majoring in Recreation Leadership with a minor in History, chose Ferrum not only because it is his hometown, but also because of the amazing football coaching staff.
Conner Sides ’23, majoring in Political Science with a minor in History, was once an alpaca farmer.
Avion Smith ’24, majoring in Communications with a minor in Business, was born on Christmas Day.
Kelsey Smith ’23, majoring in Political Science and Sociology, loves the color yellow.
Christian Sorrells ’25, majoring in Health and Human Performance with a minor in Coaching, chose Ferrum because of the small community feeling and how nice people are on campus.
Makaila Veney ’25, majoring in Pre-Professional Health Science, Pre-Therapy with a minor in Coaching, chose Ferrum because of the small class sizes, the personal connections with faculty and staff, and to get the best college experience while being an athlete.
Jasmine White ’23, majoring in Liberal Arts with minors in Elementary Education, History, and English, selected Ferrum College because she wanted to go to a school that felt like a family. She has met many people while attending Ferrum College who changed her life and made her a better person.
Panther Nation:
Welcome to the first day of class and the beginning of fall 2020!
For all students new and returning: we have been waiting for you and are eager to begin a year of discovery, challenge, and opportunity.
For all faculty and staff: today is the day we have been working toward and I am so proud of what we have accomplished and will accomplish together.
I would like to offer a few words as we launch this new year.
First: Ferrum College is a community, a family that is always stronger together. This has never been more true than it is today. We need to draw on that strength and that togetherness to have a successful semester and to stay safe and healthy. What we do on campus and away, what we do on the clock and off, impacts everyone else in our Panther Family. We have some challenges ahead, but hard does not mean impossible!
Second: Ferrum College is an institutional citizen in the Village of Ferrum, Rocky Mount, and the surrounding community. People are watching to see if we are practicing off campus what we are preaching on campus. So, I ask you, please wear a mask, maintain physical distance, and be respectful when shopping or eating in one of our local businesses. Understandably, some are nervous about all of us coming back to campus. Let’s show our neighbors that we think of their wellbeing also when we say: “Not Self, But Others.”
Third: Ferrum College is a diverse family, and this is one of our great strengths. No matter who you are–faculty, staff, student–take time this year to get to know someone from a background different than your own, someone with interests you know little about, and someone whose ideas lie somewhere else on the continuum than do yours. Through simple gestures like these we build a just and sustainable future.
Without a doubt, we are living through a very strange time in the world’s history–a once in a century public health challenge. Many great Ferrum folk are working hard to be sure that our life on campus is safe and healthy. But I want you to remember this: the COVID-19 pandemic will pass. We don’t know when, but it will not last forever. Of course, being neck deep in chaos every day can be discouraging, but never forget that there is ‘the other side’ of this time.
All of us at Ferrum College are committed to living, to thriving, and we will not be defeated! What we do here matters, and it is worth our effort to make it happen. “Ferrum Means Iron,” and as we know, iron is tough and resilient…and so are we.
Let’s have a great semester!
David L. Johns, Ph.D.
President
FERRUM COLLEGE
P.O. Box 1000
Ferrum, VA 24088
540.365.4202
president@ferrum.edu
Follow me: @ferrum_prezThe Ferrum College Fall Convocation was held virtually on Tuesday, August 25, 2020. Watch the archived video below!
Ryan Riggs, who has been with the Panther wrestling program the past four seasons and recently completed his second year as associate head coach, will become the next head men’s wrestling coach at Ferrum College.
“We are extremely pleased that Ryan Riggs has agreed to be the next head men’s wrestling coach at Ferrum College,” said Director of Athletics John Sutyak. “Ryan has been instrumental in helping to build Ferrum into a national program and regional power within the NCAA. Having an accomplished coach already on staff allows us to continue the upward trajectory of Ferrum men’s wrestling on the national level. In having the opportunity to work with him and observe him as a coach the last few months, I have full confidence in Ryan and how we will work together to keep Ferrum men’s wrestling strong.”
“I want to thank our Director of Athletics John Sutyak, Associate Athletic Director Gary Holden, and President Dr. David Johns for believing in me as the next head wrestling coach at Ferrum College,” said Riggs. “I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to lead this program and amazing student athletes. I am ready to build on the success of this last season and have very high expectations for the future of Ferrum wrestling.”
Riggs was promoted to associate head coach at Ferrum in July 2018. In doing so, he took on more day-to-day operations of the program, including recruiting, fundraising, practice development and coordinating Ferrum men’s wrestling social media presence. He was instrumental in helping Ferrum host the 2019 NCAA Division III Wrestling National Championships at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Virginia. Riggs also helped the Panthers host the NCAA Southeast Regional tournaments in 2017 and 2018. He has served as tournament director for the Star City Classic, Southeast Duals, and Panther Open, all tournaments hosted by Ferrum.
A native of Perry Township, Ohio, Riggs prepped at Massillon Perry High School, where he was a double All-American at the Asics Greco-Roman and Freestyle Fargo National Championships. He qualified three times for the Ohio State Tournament, was a two-time Ironman Tournament place winner, and a Beast of the East Tournament finalist. Riggs was ranked nationally by USA Wrestling and Amateur Wrestling News before continuing his career at Cleveland State University as a scholarship wrestler. He placed 5th at the Eastern Wrestling League Tournament in 2007 and was ranked as high as #3 in the league.
Riggs becomes only the second head men’s wrestling coach in the seven-year history of the program. He succeeds Nate Yetzer, who stepped down last week to accept the head wrestling coach position at Roanoke College.
Read more on the Ferrum College Athletics website.
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
Mark White will serve as Ferrum College’s track and field coach.
Ferrum College has announced the addition of men’s and women’s track and field programs, slated to being in the fall 2020 semester.
Mark White, who is in his second year as head coach of the Ferrum men’s and women’s cross country teams, has been appointed to serve as head coach for all four track and field teams. White previously served as assistant track and field coach for nine years at Radford University, from 2007-2015.
“Track and field is such a great fit for Ferrum College for a number of reasons,” said President David Johns. “We appreciate the leadership and innovation of Coach Mark White for helping make this happen, and are excited to see how the program grows over the coming years.”
“It is extremely exciting that we announce the addition of men’s and women’s track and field as a varsity sport at Ferrum,” said Director of Athletics John Sutyak. “Track and field consistently has been one of the largest growing high school sports in the country, so adding the sport will allow us to not only complement our cross country program, but also take advantage of the large pool of prospective college students that already participate in the sport.”
“To say I’m excited for Ferrum to begin a track and field program is an understatement,” said White. “It is a great day for Panther Nation, and I am honored to begin this new chapter. I look forward to building this program brick by brick, and we will no doubt add quality student-athletes to Ferrum and our athletics community.”
Read more on the Ferrum College athletics webpage, here.
John Sutyak has been named Ferrum College’s new director of athletics.
Ferrum College announces John Sutyak will be its new director of athletics. Sutyak is the former director of athletics and recreation at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts.
“I am pleased that John Sutyak will be joining our leadership team at Ferrum College. Athletics has played an important role at the College for years, and we are all looking forward to the next chapter under John’s leadership,” said Ferrum College President David Johns.
“As a former Ferrum College athlete, I am thrilled to have someone with John’s broad experience and background as Ferrum’s next athletic director,” said Vice President of Institutional Advancement and External Relations Wilson Paine. “John’s passion for college athletics and his commitment to supporting our student-athletes and coaches makes him the perfect fit to lead our athletics department and build on Ferrum’s rich history in athletics.”
After a national search, Sutyak arrives at Ferrum College with experience steeped in collegiate athletics. His career began in a dual role as the assistant sports information director and area coordinator in residential life at Wheaton College from July 2002 to August 2003. He then spent three years working in athletic facilities and varsity sports operations at Yale University before returning to Wheaton in July 2006 as the assistant director of athletics. He eventually became the associate director of athletics and assumed the role of director of athletics and recreation in April 2012.
During his eight-year stint as Wheaton College’s director of athletics, the college saw significant growth of donors and contributions to Wheaton’s Lyons Athletic Club. Sutyak was also involved in the development and construction of the first artificial surface athletic field, a $3.8 million project. Under his tenure, Wheaton’s athletic teams qualified for 33 NCAA championship events and won 16 New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) regular season and conference titles, highlighted by baseball’s run to the national championship game in 2012, four top-10 finishes by the women’s track and field program, and regional championships by softball in 2015 and baseball in 2017. Sutyak also served six years on the NEWMAC Executive Committee, including a two-year term as president, and was the New England Chair of the NCAA Division III Softball Committee from 2008 to 2012. Outside of collegiate athletics, he has worked at Gillette Stadium during New England Patriots home games since 2002, working both with the Patriots media relations team and the National Football League on its Player Participation crew.
“I am extremely excited and humbled to be named director of athletics at Ferrum College. The moment I stepped foot on campus, I immediately felt at home and sensed that Ferrum is a very special place,” said Sutyak. “I am looking forward to working with student-athletes, coaches, faculty, and staff to continue the proud tradition of Ferrum College athletes. Our goal as a Division III institution will be to work toward providing all our student-athletes with a first-class experience, on and off the playing surface, while simultaneously striving to compete for conference championships.”
A native of Scarborough, Maine, Sutyak received his Bachelor of Arts in history from Wheaton College in May 2000. In 2002, he earned a Master of Education in athletic administration from Springfield College. During graduate school, he served as an assistant baseball coach at Western New England University during the 2001 and 2002 seasons, where he played a part in the team’s first Great Northwest Atlantic Conference (GNAC) championship and first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2001. At Scarborough High School, he was a two-sport athlete (baseball and basketball) and a finalist for the Maine Mr. Baseball Award in 1996. A former four-year baseball player for the Wheaton Lyons, he was a member of the college’s first varsity baseball team in 1997, the program’s first two NEWMAC championship teams in 1999 and 2000, and a part of its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2000. He also tied the NCAA record for home runs in one inning with two against the University of Southern Maine in 1998.
Sutyak will assume his role at Ferrum College on January 1, 2020.
Learn more about Ferrum College athletics here.
Ferrum College’s marching band, the Sound of Panther Pride, revealed its new uniforms during the Senior Day football game against the Shenandoah University hornets on November 2, 2019.
“We are beyond thrilled to have these beautiful marching band uniforms from the Stanbury Company,” said Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands Sixto Montesinos. “As we were working through the design we aimed to capture the spirit of Ferrum College and I think we did.”
In fall 2018 under Montesino’s leadership, the Ferrum College band program expanded to include the marching band, pep band, and color guard. Since then, the College has also added a Bachelor of Arts degree in music which became available in fall 2019. “We hope these uniforms will encourage future students to join our marching band,” said Montesinos.
The uniforms were made possible through a donation from Clay Campbell, president of Martinsville Speedway and generous supporter of Ferrum College.
See photos of the new band uniforms and from the Senior Day football game on the Ferrum College Flickr album.
Learn more about Ferrum College’s band program here.
