David L. Johns, twelfth president of Ferrum College
FERRUM, VA (November 1, 2022) – Today, David L. Johns announced his resignation as president of Ferrum College effective Nov. 7, 2022.
“I am proud of all we have accomplished these past five years and the way we have worked together to make Ferrum a great place to live, work, study, and play. I appreciate the support I have received from the Board throughout this process,” Johns wrote.
Following Johns’ announcement, Ferrum College Board of Trustees Chair Scott Showalter ’73 shared that the trustees have begun the process for selecting an interim president to oversee Ferrum College while they prepare for a national search for the next president.
Prior to the appointment of an interim president, Kevin P. Reilly, vice president for Academic Affairs, has been named chief operating officer of the College. Showalter expressed the board’s appreciation for Reilly’s willingness to assume the leadership role during this time of transition. “We are confident in Dr. Reilly’s ability, and that of the entire president’s cabinet, to lead the College over the coming months,” said Showalter.
“We are grateful for [David Johns’] service to the College and his many contributions during his tenure as president, including managing the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic and for his efforts in establishing the strategic direction of the College,” said Showalter. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we wish Dr. Johns all the best in his next endeavor.”
Additional information about the transition in leadership will be shared as it becomes available.
11/12/2021
Ferrum family:
I have just returned from visiting alumni on the other side of the country, one who graduated thirty years ago, another sixty years ago. One built a career in science, the other in entertainment, and in both cases, their memories were powerful and vivid, their appreciation strong. What they gained from being at Ferrum College–studying, living, working, playing–gave them the confidence, courage, and connections to be successful. They were inspiring, and I am thankful for them.
Each of you has your own Ferrum story, a story of how being part of this community has changed and is changing your life, whether you are a student, an employee, a trustee, or a friend of the College. What you are doing to improve life and to build a meaningful future is amazing. YOU inspire me–and others!–and I am thankful for you.
The past few weeks have been filled with a return to some of the campus events we love, but missed last year–Homecoming, Folklife Festival, fall sports. Thousands from the Ferrum family, and beyond, have gathered, celebrated, cheered, and simply delighted in being here, in this place…together. Being part of these events is inspiring, and I am thankful they are happening.
We are nearing the end of the semester and, since August, we have all clocked many hours on the job, in the classroom and labs, in Panther Grounds, on the field. We have seen some high points this semester, and we have experienced a few low ones as well. In short, we have done a lot.
Stop doing those things for just a moment!
Take a few minutes today to stop what you are doing, close your eyes, breathe the fall Ferrum air, listen to the sounds of campus…and…be…thankful.
Be thankful for life; be thankful for opportunity; be thankful for each other; be thankful for the semester break that is almost here; and be thankful for a new semester that awaits us in January, and for the promise it holds for each one of us.
With gratitude for each of you and for all of us.
David L. Johns, Ph.D.
President
10/14/2021
On October 12, 2021, Ferrum College celebrated its own day of giving, ending the campaign with a record-breaking day: $109,382 from 275 donors. This year’s total more than doubles last year’s, when Ferrum received $56,786 from over 260 donors on December 1, 2020 during #GivingTuesday, the global day of giving.
“During a time when it seems that unity is scarce in the world, our college community has once again joined together to enrich the lives of Ferrum students,” said President David Johns. “They will benefit from the generosity of our alumni, employees, and friends for years to come, and I am proud of the work we’re doing to educate our future leaders.”
The theme for Ferrum’s Giving Day was “The Tie That Binds,” which celebrates the long-lasting relationships that are built on campus between students, coaches, faculty, and staff.
“Through the years, spanning decades and generations, it is our shared experience that brings us all together as members of the Ferrum family,” said Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Relations Wilson Paine, who is a 2007 Ferrum College alumnus. “The support we continue to receive is just astounding, and I am proud of our collective commitment to Ferrum students.”
9/10/2021
This morning, Ferrum College faculty, staff, and students gathered at Hart International Plaza to acknowledge the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Tomorrow marks the twentieth anniversary of those events.
As the American and Ferrum College flags fluttered in a gentle breeze above the crowd, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs Kevin Reilly brought remarks from President David Johns, who was unable to attend the service due to a death in his family.
“What I can say with certainty is that September 11th exposed human cruelty and hatred, but September 12th displayed human resolve and solidarity,” wrote Johns. “Being lumped together as one by the terrorists actually made us act together as one – mostly, and for a time. It seemed to matter less who was who or what group we represented.”
Following Johns’ remarks, Campus Minister Laura Robinson led a prayer and a moment of silence, saying, “When we pray together today, I know many of us will be praying for protection, for safety, for understanding, for peace, for relief. But I also ask all of us here to make room in our hearts for freedom from fear.”
Robinson concluded the service with a wish: “May we never live through another day like 9/11, but may we rise to the occasion if we do.”
See photos from the service here.
Read President Johns’ full comments in his commentary published in The Franklin News-Post.
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!
