Greetings from Ferrum College Student Blogger, Caleb!

BY CALEB, A PANTHER BLOGGER 

Hello all!  My name is Caleb, and I’m from Staunton, Virginia.  I am currently a freshman here at Ferrum College. I am presently majoring in Environmental Science with an Outdoor Recreational minor. This first year has been an amazing change in my life. Not only am I studying Environmental Science, but I have also had the opportunity to work on hands-on research projects – projects that involve the American chestnut tree and others that involve forensic science. Besides school, I am heavily involved in the Ferrum community. I am a member of both the Ferrum volunteer rescue squad and the Henry Volunteer Fire Department.  I also help out with ministries at a local church where I attend while I'm in school. I am so happy that Ferrum chose me, and yes, I said Ferrum chose me.

Student Blogger Caleb

I say Ferrum chose me because it really did! I had never heard of Ferrum, Virginia or even the college two and a half years ago. I only found out about this amazing place by way of my sister’s college, Shenandoah University. My parents were up in Winchester, Virginia having lunch with my sister, and then someone from the college came up and started talking about all that SU had to offer.  Like most parents do, my parents somehow threw my name into the mix and said that I was looking at Virginia Tech.  The person speaking with us said that I should look into Ferrum because it seemed to match up with what I wanted to do, not that Virginia Tech is a bad school. So I got more information and the first time I came down here to this gem hidden in the Blue Ridge, I fell in love. I fell in love with the place itself and also the people.

One of the things that I think sets Ferrum apart from all the other colleges in the state of Virginia is the fact that the community is so actively involved in the college; you don’t see that much anywhere else. Yes, Ferrum is a smaller college, but please don’t let that fool you. Just because Ferrum doesn’t have thousands of students, it is, in my book, the best college there is. It is not unusual for me to walk to class and know almost everyone I see.  You are not going to get that close family that you get here anywhere else.

I have loved my first year down here in beautiful Ferrum, Virginia so far, and I look forward to the next three years to come. I can’t wait to see what great thing I am going to do here at Ferrum College. Have a good one y’all!  

Greetings from Vanessa!

BY VANESSA, A PANTHER BLOGGER 

My name is Vanessa and I’m from Burke, Virginia (Fairfax County area). I’m a senior at Ferrum College majoring in Spanish and double minoring in English and Journalism. Many of friends would say that I’m outgoing, charismatic and easy to get along with, and I like to think I’m like that too. : )  I love traveling and being able to take some time to myself and read a good book. I’m looking forward to graduation this May, and I am looking forward to hopefully getting an internship this summer at C-SPAN so that I’m able to further my experience in the media communications field.

I found out about Ferrum College during my senior year in high school when I received a pamphlet in the mail. I first wondered where Ferrum was, and I was interested in what they had to offer. I did some research and came to discover its location and what things were nearby. Being from the city, I knew that this would be a big change for me. But once I was here and saw the mountains, the campus, and everything around it, I was sold. I then found out what the school had to offer academically. Ferrum has a variety of majors and minors. They also had study abroad options that I was really interested in.

A captain on the lacrosse team

I feel as though anyone is able to love Ferrum as much as I do. If you get involved in clubs and organizations, then you’ll always be busy and have something to do. Ferrum is like home. Everyone is so friendly and caring here….it’s something you can’t find in just any school. Small colleges like Ferrum offer you the attention that you need to succeed in your future. Being able to just go to my professor’s office and talk about an assignment or questions about lectures without having to wait for days is awesome. It helps you prepare for assignments in a detailed and prepared manner, which is a good habit to have for the future.

I have loved being a part of the Ferrum College Women’s Lacrosse Team. I have been a part of the team since freshman year and have recently been named captain along with two other seniors on the team. I’m also involved in our first international sorority on campus, Delta Phi Epsilon, and I’m the News Editor for the Iron Blade, Ferrum’s newspaper.

I definitely have to say that the greatest memory I have made at Ferrum thus far would have to be the friends I have made throughout the years, not only with students but also with faculty members!

Greetings from Ferrum College Student Blogger, Victoria!

BY VICTORIA, A PANTHER BLOGGER 

I am Victoria and I am a sophomore at Ferrum College. I am studying criminal justice as my major with minors in psychology and sociology. I would like to use my education in these fields to eventually work in the federal law system.

I come from a small town called Claudville, Virginia which is about an hour south of Ferrum. One of the main reasons that I chose to attend Ferrum College is that it was close to my hometown and was also the same type of setting that I was raised in. I found out about Ferrum through one of my friends who is currently a junior at the college. She told me about Ferrum and invited me to visit it for a weekend, and I knew from that point that Ferrum was the college for me.

I love the atmosphere and beautiful scenery around the Ferrum College campus. I also liked that it is a small school, which means that it is easier for professors to interact and help the students in their classes. The professors at Ferrum College have been more than helpful to me in making important decisions about my future and with simple tasks, such as helping with an assignment. Professors here are always willing to help students with anything that they need and to offer suggestions to students on how they can improve their work.

In addition to attending classes at Ferrum, I am also a student ambassador and a very active member of the Criminal Justice Club. The Criminal Justice Club, along with my classes, has provided me with many useful connections with people that could help me to get a job after I graduate. The club and classes have also helped me gain a lot of knowledge and experience about the criminal justice field. I believe that Ferrum College is doing a great job at preparing me for my future while also offering me many opportunities to be involved in campus and community activities. Ferrum College has provided me with many memories of spending time with new friends that will last a lifetime!

Greetings from Ferrum College Student Blogger, Jordan!

BY JORDAN, A PANTHER BLOGGER 

Hey everyone! My name is Jordan and I am a sophomore at Ferrum.  I am 20 years old and I am from Virginia Beach. I’m a Theatre major, and I play on the Women’s Lacrosse team. I also am an Admissions Ambassador, in the Collegiate Choir, a Resident Assistant, Secretary of Residence Hall Association, and the Features Editor for the Iron Blade. I plan to be an actress and producer after I graduate!

What I love about Ferrum is that it has so much to offer and everyone is so welcoming.  I also loved the small community and the countryside of Ferrum.  Since I am a Theatre major, I love all of the professors and other students.  The professors are always willing to help and make each student better for the future.

Hope you come visit Ferrum soon!

Saludos (Greetings) from Ferrum College Student Blogger, Anneleisse!

BY ANNELEISSE, A PANTHER BLOGGER 

Student Blogger Anneleisse

Hola, potential Panthers!  My name is Anneleisse and I’m currently a second semester freshman from Castle Rock, Colorado.  I found Ferrum College thanks to their first year swim team and our coach, Lindsay DeLaRosby, who recruited me. Not only did I come to Ferrum because of a sport but also because the size of the school was a great fit considering that I actually want a teacher to remember who I am or at least recognize if I ever need help in the class.

Here at Ferrum, I plan on majoring in Pre-professional science; my long-time goal is to be a dentist, and later on, to participate in creating a foundation for those who can’t afford a dentist. Ferrum has been a great experience so far!  The campus is the perfect size for you to make it on time to classes, everyone is so friendly, and academic help is always available. Although it’s a small campus there are many activities that take place.  Besides being on the swim team, I plan on being part of the Lambda Sigma Honor Society.

Thanks for reading my blog and let me know if you have any questions!

Intro to Environmental Science Students' Eco Dorm Project Underway

This week, some of the Ferrum College students who took Intro to Environmental Science in the Fall of 2011 will see the results of their classroom work outside Riddick Hall when they return from spring break.

While they were gone, a section of asphalt pavement outside the dorm was replaced with turf block, one of the recommendations that the students identified last fall in their Eco Dorm proposal.

Turf block is permeable pavement that allows rainfall to move down into the ground instead of running off into storm drains. In addition the light-colored turf block, which will be planted with grass, should reduce heat loading to the non-air conditioned Riddick Hall, helping it stay cooler in the fall. 

According to Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Science Glen Stevens, the students worked for most of the semester developing ideas, pricing options, and putting together a report and poster session on ways to improve the quality of life in the Lakeside dorms while reducing energy usage. Their results were presented to Ferrum College President Jennifer Braaten and Senior Vice President for Business Affairs Bobby Thompson, who together developed the Eco Dorm concept. The turf block installation underway is just one of the proposed projects that ranged from lighting retrofits to edible landscaping.

Students taking the course Quantitative Environmental Methods in the fall of 2012 will measure the temperature difference in the turf block sections of the dorm wall compared to the asphalt paved areas. Many of the students who developed the proposal will work on the assessment phase as well.

“I think this is a great development, and a very empowering project, as the students can really see the results of their classroom work,” said Dr. Stevens, who is grateful for the support and encouragement the students have received from College administrators. “They got a lot out of simply presenting the proposal, but to have it actually begin to be implemented speaks to the practical applications of what they learn in the classroom, and about the strong linkages between administration, operations, and academics here at Ferrum.”