Olivia Pavco-Giaccia, founder and CEO of LabCandy and an award-winning author, will deliver the keynote address on Sat., May 6, 2017 during the 101st commencement at Ferrum College. The College will award degrees to 227 graduates, including 53 with honors, during the ceremony that will be held at Hart International Plaza beginning at 10 a.m. A picnic lunch on the lawn for graduates and their guests will follow the ceremony.
Pavco-Giaccia is an award-winning children’s book author whose focus on the synergies between science, entrepreneurship, and girl-centric activism is impacting both local and national dialogs. She graduated with honors from Yale University in 2016 with a B.S. in Cognitive Science and was awarded the Henry E. Ellsworth Memorial Prize for significant research in the social sciences. In addition, she is the founder and CEO of the social venture, LabCandy, whose mission is to focus young kids’ (especially girls’) interest in science. Selected as the youngest-ever Fellow at Yale’s Entrepreneurial Institute, Pavco-Giaccia led a successful Kickstarter campaign that brought LabCandy’s brightly colored lab coats, kid-sized sparkly lab goggles, and science adventure storybooks to kids around the world.
“We need to knock down early the persistent stereotypes that say STEM isn’t for girls. I founded LabCandy to encourage young girls to imagine themselves as scientists – collaborating, creating and having fun. Our cool lab gear and storybooks take us one step closer to making that goal a reality by making science more relatable and approachable for young girls,” says Pavco-Giaccia on her website (www.labcandy.com.)
Named as a national innovator for positive change by NationSwell, Olivia Pavco-Giaccia ’s first book “Ava & The Copper Key” was awarded a Gold Medal in Moonbeam’s Children’s Book Awards. She was selected as one of Glamour Magazine’s Top 10 College Women of 2015, along with being tapped as one of HerCampus’s “22 Under 22 Most Inspiring College Women.” She is the recipient of the 2016 Upstart Award from Bustle Magazine recognizing recent graduates “who are poised to make a difference in business, arts, fashion, beauty and beyond.” She currently serves on the Champions Board of the National Girls Collaborative Project, one of the country’s largest non-profit organizations committed to girls in STEM, and is co-chair of the Young Girls’ Advisory Board there. Pavco-Giaccia’s infectious enthusiasm for this work has led to a number of speaking opportunities and community leadership roles, including participation in the White House Science Fair, the International STEM Education Association, and Net Impact’s Think Social, a Yale think tank dedicated to exploring innovative ideas for positive social impact. In high school, she was selected as a semi-finalist in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology for her neurobiology research at Stanford University.
In March of 2017, Discovery’s Science Channel honored Pavco-Giaccia and her work by naming her as one of their Science Super Heroes. Working with Discovery/TSC, Olivia was featured online in NowThis Her, TIME Magazine for Kids, and The New York Times.
Ferrum College partnered with Harvester Performance Center in Rocky Mount to present Michael Ray in a benefit concert on Wednesday, April 5. More than 650 attended the concert, which raised $4,810 for the Panther Packs program, which provides food for hungry Ferrum Elementary School children.
“What a night of excitement and entertainment. This was a great event with an even greater cause to support,” said Ferrum College Director of Student Leadership & Engagement Justin Muse after the concert. “Using the concert proceeds to benefit the Panther Packs program is a great way to continue to live out the College motto of ‘Not Self, But Others.'”
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.
About the photograph: (L-R) Harvester Performance Center Assistant General Manager Sheila Silverstein, Ferrum College Director of Student Leadership & Engagement Justin Muse, Michael Ray, and Tri Area Community Health Office Manager Martha Puckett.
Eric Lee Baker Award for the Outstanding Student in English
Rachel Swyhart
Raven Walker
Outstanding Student of Russian Award
Tori Akers
Kala Brubaker
Nicol Martins
C. P. Minnick Award
Samuel Belcher
Theatre Arts Achievement Award
Bobbi Guire
Zachary Reyes
Dance Achievement Award
Zachary Reyes
Outstanding Music Student Award
Zachary Reyes
Jasse Scholarship in History Award
Claire Bailey
Tanner Brooks
Brett Sommers
Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar in History Award
Codie Parker
Agricultural Sciences Award
Agribusiness – Spencer Irby
Agronomy – Hunter Wade
Horticulture – Jasmine Boardwine
Animal Science – Anna Richardson
Chemistry Award
Tori Akers
Environmental Science Award
Emma Topper
Thomas Bianchi
Environmental Studies Award
Caitlin Johnson
Forensic Science Award
Tori AkersHealth Sciences Award
Sara Underwood
Pre-Professional Science Award
Tori Akers
Outstanding Student in the School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Tori Akers
Computer Information Systems Academic Award
Brandon Garland
Management Award
Jesse Delph
The Finance Award
Summer Smart
Marketing Award
Christopher (CJ) Asmus
The Decision Support Award
Ethan Mills
Karl Fink
Sports Management Award
Hannah Harris
Hamblin Accounting Award
Ethan Mills
Outstanding Student Researcher Psychology Award
Sirena Pangelinan
Outstanding Student in Psychology Award
Emily Hargrove
Health and Human Performance Award
Michael Gauldin
Sarah Hendrix
Recreation Leadership Award
Justin Torbert
Jane Addams Social Work Achievement Award
Kemani Crawford
Outstanding Social Work Student Award
Alexis Witcher
Dr. Ken McCreedy Outstanding Criminal Justice Graduating Senior Award
Emily Hargrove
Dr. Betty N. Bailey Silver Weaver Award
Kelsey Carlton
Delta Kappa Gamma Outstanding Woman in Education Award
Briana Farmer
Charles A. and Marion C. Skinner Award for Excellence in Education
Tana Heath
Courtney Cox
Jesse Wall
Frank Benjamin Hurt Award
Andrew Todd
Model United Nations – Most Effective Delegate
Charles Chenault
Matthew Wright
Model United Nations – Most Effective Delegation
Charles Chenault
Michael Moneymaker
Advisor’s Choice Award
Charles Chenault
Matthew Wright
President’s Cup
Billie Quesenberry (female)
Logan Meister
Lillie Warwick Slaven Award
Sam Belcher
Arthur S. Owens Award
Nashiem Bryant
Algernon-Sydney Sullivan Award
Jesse Delph
Jeff Gring (Non-Student)
Most Valuable Staff Member Iron Blade
Kaitlin Roeper
Patrick Duggan
Most Valuable Staff Member Chrysalis
Dina Prado
Most Valuable Staff Member Ferrum Radio
Joseph Pace
Tori Akers
Christopher Asmus
Claire Bailey
Samuel Belcher
Thomas Bianchi
Jasmine Boardwine
Tanner Brooks
Kala Brubaker
Nashiem Bryant
Kelsey Carlton
Charles Chenault
Courtney Cox
Kemani Crawford
Jesse Delph
Patrick Duggan
Briana Carel Farmer
Karl Fink
Brandon Garland
Michael Gauldin
Bobbi Guire
Emily Hargrove
Hannah Harris
Tana Health
Sarah Hendrix
Spencer Irby
Caitlin Johnson
Nicol Martins
Logan Meister
Ethan Mills
Michael Moneymaker
Joseph Pace
Sirena Pangelinan
Codie Parker
Dina Prado
Billie Quesenberry
Zachary Reyes
Anna Richardson
Kaitlin Roeper
Summer Smart
Brett Sommers
Rachel Swyhart
Andrew Todd
Emma Topper
Justin Torbert
Sara Underwood
Hunter Wade
Raven Walker
Jesse Wall
Alexis Witcher
Matthew WrightHenry Carkhuff
Dorothy Carroll
Victoria Meza
Andrew ToddSierra Booth
Dorothy Carroll
Jesse Delph
Bethany Fletcher
Patricia Flora
Sarah Garland
Brandon Garland
Michael Gauldin
Sarah Hendrix
Kimberly Keller
Breanne Kretzer
Molly Massey
Taylor McConaghy
Monica McGhee
Morgan McPherson
Victoria Meza
Codie Parker
Billie Quesenberry
Nicholas Sink
Summer Smart
Cheyenne Strickland
Latoya Tucker
Brandon Turner
Casey Turner
Sara Underwood
Crystal Wright
Kaitlin YachemKatie Delph
Samantha Grandle
Hannah Harris
Emily Hargrove
Taylor McConaghy
Caitlyn VaughtMorgan Brown
Malcolm MacRae
Mariah Banks
Jasmine Williams
Kathleena Accillean
Fox Yates
Lacey Matthews
Lechelle Smith
Darrian Marshall
Kathryn Bonner
Kahla Messenger
Tori AkersAnna Richardson
Patricia Flora
Emily Nelson
Jasmine Boardwine
Spencer Irby
Hunter WadeLaura Angle
Ashley Boyd
Taylor Brashear
Katherine Blundell
Kelsey Carlton
Amber Coffin
Brianna Carel (Farmer)
Krista Farrell
Patricia Flora
Tana Heath
Tyler Keesee
Jessica Pruitt
Amanda Roberts
Cheyenne Strickland
Victoria TaylorJason Anstice
Katherine Bonner
Matthew Boyd
Autum Murray-Burns
Dakota Crouse
Taylor Darnell
Leya Deickman
AnnGardner Eubank
Aubrey Fletcher
Hailee Green
Breonna Hall
Layura Henley
Sarah Hodges
Diamond Hudson
Peyton Johnson
Haley Ledbetter
Marquis Lee
Kayla Lentini
Brian Mann
Morgan Scott
Natasha Shelton
Bethany Short
Taylor WoodsKara Agee
Jessica Price
Courtney Rudd
Alexis WitcherClaire M. Bailey
Tanner L. Brooks
Courtney N. Cox
Jonathan C. Dickey
Matthew A. Parker
Matthew J. PoirierHenry T. Carkhuff
Dorothy M. Carroll
Victoria N. MezaIsabella Bermudez
Rachel M. Ellis
Emily Hargrove
Billie Quesenberry
Charissa C. Reter
Lauren Shewski-Higgs
Kenya M. Smith
Ashley Nicole WilesLaura Angle
Jevonte Blount
Katie Blundell
Sierra Booth
Whitney Clifton
Seleste Cowie
Samantha Grandle
Ashley McAllister
Jessica Pruitt
Victoria Taylor
Raven Walker
Kaitlin YachemChantal Aaron
Cheyenne Lemus
Hunter Maxey
Chelsea McConnell
Katie SheetsZachary Anderson
Alex Armstrong
CJ Asmus
Alek Ayer
Michael Barrett
Daniel Batong
Jordyn Bauman
Thomas Betts
Thomas Bianchi
Paul Biggs
Sierra Booth
Dustin Boothe
Jacob Boswell
Marcus Boyer
Frank Boxley
Joshua Brent
Jesse Briggs
Tucker Brown
Jordan Brown
Dustin Browning
Kala Brubaker
Nashiem Bryant
Emily Bucklew
Sianna Burgos-Altman
Mikayla Cannaday
Henry Carkhuff
Jordan Carmony
Dorothy Carroll
Dillon Christian
Christopher Clarke
Amber Coffin
Ty Comer
Bailey Cooper
Cody Cooper
Jabbar Coward
Krista Cox
Hunter Crews
Christian Cromer
Alexandria Dixon
Jacob Drake
Rebecca Forsyth
Morgan Funck
Catelyn Gamble
Graceanne Gershner
Lindsey Slover
Summer Smart
William Smith
Mark Smoot
Brett Sommers
Rashawn Speas
Hannah Stacy
Hayden Storms
Cheyenne Strickland
Samuel Suite
Chase Tallon
Ryan Tesler
Andrew Todd
Jessica Turner
Brandon Turner
Jans Valdespou
Jesse Wall
Dillon Weaver
Megan Webb
Rachel Wells
Maggie Wilbourne
Chelsea Wingate
Austin Winkles
Kaye Woods
Kaitlin Yachem
Bryanna Zent
Robert ZiehfreundChantal Aaron
Zachary Anderson
Jevonte T. Blount
Sierra Margaret Grace Booth
Nashiem Bryant
Emily Bucklew
Jodie Rebecca Byrd
Dorothy Carroll
Peyton Chattin
Tabatha Chitwood
Christopher James Clarke
Justin Costley
Jesse Delph
Kaitlyn Delph
Briana Carel Farmer
Sarah Garland
Graceanne Gershner
Anitria Henderson
NiJee Unique Kaashif
Tyler Keesee
Amber Dawn Moser
Billie Quesenberry
Joshua Sanders
Nicholas Sink
Summer Smart
Cheyenne Strickland
Andrew Todd
Keanah Turner
Sara Underwood
Allison Usry
Tyler Griffin
Brittany Hall
Emily Hargrove
Claire Harris
Hannah Helbert
Anitria Henderson
Sarah Hendrix
Keegan Howver
Michael Hunter
Jacob Irvin
Alicia Jones
Seth Jordan
CJ Kaashif
Chet Kinney
Anthony Konieczka
Breanne Kretzer
Cheyenne Lemus
Aiyana Lew
Kayla Lindsay
Alexandra Madden
Jake Martin
Meghin Martin
Clay Massie
Heather Mayberry
Ashley Mcallister
Koby McMahon
Logan Meister
Hailey Meyer
Victoria Meza
Tyler Morgan
Monica Morris
Christian Mosier
Emily Nelson
Sirena Pangelinan
Karlee Pendleton
Jake Perkins
Danielle Persson
Matthew Poirier
Billie Quesenberry
Kevin Ramirez
Audrey Ramsey
Anna Richardson
Easton Riggs
Chris Roberson
Amanda Roberts
Courtney Rudd
Kelly Savage
Rachel Scott
William Sharp
Laurel Skinner
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.
Life of Service by Daniel Kyle
