president Archives - Ferrum College

Board of Trustees Chair Phyllis Q. Karavatakis ’76 announced today that Dr. David Johns has been appointed the twelfth president of Ferrum College. Johns currently serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Union College, a private, United Methodist affiliated, liberal arts institution in Barbourville, Kentucky. He will assume his new role as president of Ferrum College on January 1, 2018.

Johns was the top candidate in a field of semi-finalists with experience and expertise in the roles of either president, provost, or vice president at comparable higher education institutions. The search committee consisted of Ms. Karavatakis, as the chair, along with Ferrum College trustees, alumni, faculty, student, and staff representatives who had not served on prior selection committees. In September, members began the review of applications from a deep field of qualified higher education administrators. Using professional search protocol, members then narrowed the field and conducted off-campus interviews with several semi-finalists. The committee brought their unanimous recommendation to the full Board of Trustees for their consideration and final selection.

According to Ms. Karavatakis, “Of all the candidates, Dr. Johns was deemed the best fit for president of Ferrum College. During his tenure at a Methodist-related institution, Dr. Johns taught and advised a student population comparable to that found at Ferrum College in a region similar to southwest Virginia. His sense of mission, his background as a vice president for academic affairs, and his experience as a faculty member, a Southern Association of Colleges & Schools (SACS) reviewer, a college chaplain, and a college librarian allow him to understand the complexity of higher education in the 21st century.”

Johns grew up near Canton, Ohio and was the first in his family to attend college. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Malone University in 1985, his Master of Arts from Earlham School of Religion in 1989, a Master of Library Science from Kent State University in 1993, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Theology from Duquesne University in 1999.

Upon his selection as the next Ferrum College president, Johns said, “I am honored to join the Ferrum community at a time of great opportunity and promise. The College’s history of service to the region is inspiring. I believe college should be a place where we are challenged to grow, to think, and to figure out how we can contribute to healing the world. This is in Ferrum’s DNA and Susan and I are eager to work with the entire Ferrum community to ensure this continues for generations to come.”

Johns is also a peer accreditation reviewer with the SACS Commission on Colleges, the Chair of the Faculty Research Fellowship Committee with the Appalachian College Association, and is active with the Chief Academic Officers group of the Association for Independent Kentucky Colleges & Universities.

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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