There’s no “I” in Team!

BY VANESSA, PANTHER BLOGGER

Being a part of Ferrum’s newspaper, The Iron Blade, and the Ferrum Women’s Lacrosse team has been remarkable. I first became interested in The Iron Blade when I picked up the journalism practicum class my sophomore year. I’d had really great English professors that made English so much fun to learn. I was a bit nervous when I first walked into my journalism class because I thought, “what am I doing? I don’t even know how to write in this format! And now the whole school is going to see my writing skills.” I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. At the time, my professor and advisor for The Iron Blade was Dr. Lana Whited. She made journalism so enjoyable to learn that I stuck with it. It wasn’t until my senior year that I was asked by our newly appointed Iron Blade advisor Dr. Karl Roeper if I could be a part of the editors group where I was named News Editor. It’s a great responsibility to have and from which I’m still learning each day. Check out our most recent issue of The Iron Blade online newspaper »

Photo by Gary Holden

The Ferrum Women’s Lacrosse Team is like my second family at Ferrum. A big part of me staying and really enjoying my experience at Ferrum to the fullest has a lot to do with my team and coaches. The variety of personalities and ideas on this team is quite remarkable. I have seen great women graduate and join our lacrosse team here at Ferrum for the past 3 years. All of us have shared so many memories together and to be able to share something special with each one of them is a big deal to me. As part of the NCAA Division III USA South Conference, we were able to travel to many places, such as Georgia, North Carolina and different parts of Virginia. Traveling together was a great way for our team to bond and then bring that bond and connection out on the field. Hard work and dedication has brought us a long way since my freshman year in the program. I’m definitely going to miss my head coach, Karen Harvey, our new assistant coach, Mary Cuddihy, and my teammates/sisters.

Lacrosse team photo by Gary Holden

Greetings from Ferrum College Student Blogger, Addissew!

BY ADDISSEW, A PANTHER BLOGER

My name is Addissew, and I’m a freshman majoring in biology and minoring in psychology.  I’m originally from Ethiopia. I came to the United States about a year ago.  I moved with my family to a city called Falls Church in Virginia. I had moved in the middle of my senior year of high school and was able to graduate by the end of the academic year. I found out about Ferrum College through the help of my College and Career Advisor, who helped me in applying to the college before the deadline passed since most of the deadlines for other colleges had passed.

I got an acceptance letter and a scholarship from Ferrum College, as well as from the other colleges I had applied to. The location of Ferrum College attracted me since it has an isolated campus which is beneficial to concentrate on school work and there are fewer distractions compared to a campus located in or near a city. Both the drive to Ferrum and its campus have beautiful scenery! One feels close to nature in Ferrum with the fresh air, lots of trees, a pond with different types of ducks and the occasional sight of deer grazing.

The teacher-to-student ratio is effective in that a teacher knows all his/her student and is able to help any student having troubles with the course material. Additionally, the Writing and Math Centers aid students with their course materials when the professors are unavailable.  Academic assistance is abundant at Ferrum.

Greetings from Ferrum College Student Blogger, Grant!

BY GRANT, A PANTHER BLOGGER

For those of you who do not know me, my name is Grant, and I am a sophomore here at Ferrum College. I am currently working towards getting a Bachelor’s of Science with a Biology and Pre-professional Science major along with a Chemistry and Business minor. I also am working on an independent research project with Dr. Gazdik to determine gene regulation of M. smegmatis as a model for tuberculosis. I am originally from Georgia where I was born in Savannah and have lived in Augusta and Atlanta, GA. I spent my middle school and high school years in Chesapeake, Virginia and have recently moved to Greenville, South Carolina.

I plan on graduating in May of 2014, and hope to go on to the University of Georgia and get my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine as well as my Ph.D. specializing in infectious diseases through the dual degree program that the University of Georgia offers.

Christianity is an integral part of my life, and there is no exception when it comes to my involvement in the campus ministries here on Ferrum College’s campus. I am an active part of Mu Sigma Chi (the Christian fraternity on campus), and I am also the president of the Ferrum Christian Fellowship.  Along with attending Monday Night Praise, I lead a Bible study every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. in the Lighthouse behind the Hank Norton Center. I am a regular attendant at one of the many local churches as well. My involvement on this campus stretches further than the campus ministries, though. I also am a member of the Minds In Medicine Club, the Ferrum Outdoors Club, the Boone Honors Program, and also act as a PAL tutor for biology. Some of you may see me on your visit to Ferrum because I am a Student Ambassador, too. 

 

One question many people ask me is, “How in the world did you find Ferrum, and what about it keeps you around?” My answer to them would simply have to be that my high school football coach suggested that I look at Ferrum because it is his alma mater; I would also say that at Ferrum, I have never felt like a number, but instead, a human being. Due to the smaller number of students here at Ferrum, I have had the opportunity to experience things that I never would have at a larger university.

Since my first visit to Ferrum, I have always felt at peace and right at home here. Just as an example of the homey feeling that Ferrum exudes, one of my favorite memories at Ferrum is sitting around the small Christmas tree with all my roommates and friends opening our Secret Santa presents while eating a Christmas breakfast. These are the people that you meet and experiences that stick with you the rest of your life. Hopefully, you will read more blog posts and get some sense of the truly wonderful Ferrum experience.

Greetings from Ferrum College Student Blogger, Anna!

BY ANNA, A PANTHER BLOGGER

Hey guys, I’m Anna. I am a transfer graduate from Virginia Western Community College, and my major is Business Management. I am from Buchanan, Virginia where I started my own photography business while I was in high school. I went to community college to get my general studies taken care of and then transferred to Ferrum College to focus on my core curriculum classes, as well as to build a network with faculty and friends that cannot be found anywhere else. With my Business Management degree, I plan to advance further as a professional photographer with my business, and to possibly work for the Discovery Channel or National Geographic. With high hopes, I know I can achieve my goals one day. I am a senior this year, and I plan to graduate May 5, 2012.

Copyright A.B.E. Photography

On campus, Ferrum College is nicknamed “God’s Country,” and it fits!  I found out about Ferrum because my cousin attended school here and I came to see him graduate; I fell in love with the college! The scenery at Ferrum, the friendships that my cousin had, and the learning atmosphere that the college offers all made me realize that Ferrum could be the place for me. I graduated from Virginia Western in 2010 and the only place I could imagine myself going was Ferrum! 

Ferrum is small and rural, but that is not a bad thing. You are not just a face; you are a face with a name, and everyone actually cares about who you are and where you are outside of class. Your grades and extracurricular activities are just as important to them as they are to you.  I am constantly in the same building every day—Beckham Hall—and I have come to know that my fellow students in the business department and my teachers are my family. We look out for one another.

My number one piece of advice is to Go To Class!  I never miss class unless I am sick, and even then, I email my professors to tell them I am sick. That shows my teachers that I care. One time I missed my final exam in Accounting because of a long story of events, and my professor sent a resident assistant to come see if I was okay. I was frantic and he knew that me missing class rarely happened, so he offered to give me my exam and I passed the class with an A. Instances like mine do not happen often, so take control of your studies.

My second piece of advice is to Get Involved On Campus!  There are so many clubs, sports and organizations to fit anyone and everyone, and you can be involved in as many as you want!  I currently am Student Government President, a cheerleader, a sister of Zeta Chi Epsilon, and a member of Students in Free Enterprise.  At the same time, I still have the title of professional photographer and take pictures of campus and my life here as much as possible. There are also plenty of other things to do off campus as well. My favorite thing to do is to drive to Philpott Lake and sit on the beach or the dock and do homework, or go out for a day with sorority sisters and fraternity brothers. We don’t swim all the time, but just to have a nice relaxing spot off campus with a pretty view is a luxury that I must take advantage of.  

All in all, there is no Facebook status, thesis paper, picture from an event or blog post that can express to you how much I love Ferrum. Having cookouts with my fraternity brothers and sorority sisters, cheering so hard that I lost my voice, studying with my classmates and making websites for a local cabinetry shop are just a FEW of the things I did in one semester, but in a year, the memories just get to be too many to list!  The faculty, staff, students and family I have made at Ferrum truly are one-of-a-kind and I could not ask for more. Whether it is a Saturday night or a Tuesday afternoon, a memory to cherish is made here. 

Greetings from Ferrum College Student Blogger, Brittany!

BY BRITTANY, A PANTHER BLOGGER 

My name is Brittany, and I am from Fredericksburg, VA, which is located just between Washington D.C. and Richmond. I am interested in photography, field hockey, sign language, and sciences that deal with the structure or function of the human body.

I gained knowledge about Ferrum College from several letters that I received explaining the variety of programs offered. I officially decided to attend after taking a tour of the school and seeing how the classes were structured in small sizes, and the amount of hands-on work available. Another deciding factor was the interest shown by professors through the subjects they are most involved in.

Through the variety of classes, majors, and minors, Ferrum has prepared me and is still preparing me for my future career. It has provided a structure of professionalism, integrity, and a growing compassion to pursue the dreams I want to accomplish no matter how long it may take to get there. Over the next two years, I plan on graduating with a major in Pre-Professional Sciences and a double minor in Mathematics and Forensic Sciences. As for my long-term goals, I plan on going to graduate school to further continue my education on becoming a medical examiner.

Currently, I am involved in intramural volleyball, and also attending Minds-n-Medicine meetings when my schedule allows. I am also employed at the Starbucks on campus, and I usually work two to three days a week. When I have the opportunity, I volunteer at the Mary Washington Hospital back at home in Fredericksburg, as well as complete service hours for the community.

Brittany taking an order at campus Starbucks

Being at Ferrum for the past two years has had its ups and downs, but my favorite memory is the people that I have met who have helped me work to where I am and where I am going in life. Everyone on campus is wonderful and show that they care and have compassion for our dreams as much as we do. They have been there with guidance through almost every situation I have faced, and I am so thankful to have them here.

Greetings from Darryl!

BY DARRYL, A PANTHER BLOGGER 

Hey!  My name is Darryl and I’m from Richmond, Virginia. I’m currently a senior here at Ferrum College, majoring in Biology and minoring in both Forensic Science and Chemistry.  I’m currently applying to masters programs for Public Health, and I’m waiting to hear back soon.

After I achieve my masters, I’m planning on attending either dental or medical school. I found out about Ferrum from some friends in high school. I was extremely late in applying to schools and only applied to two. I got into both and chose to come here.  Ferrum’s campus is gorgeous, with great views and fresh air. I also like the small classroom settings; it makes it easier to have one-on-one interaction that you wouldn’t achieve at larger schools. This is great when it’s time for getting letters of recommendation if you choose to continue your education further because the instructors truly know who you are. The icing on the cake for me with Ferrum has to be the ducks. There aren’t many places where you routinely see ducks crossing the road on your way to class. 

Ducks on the way to class

I’m extremely active in Ferrum College’s community. I’m the senior class secretary, a member of and the treasurer of Pi Kappa Alpha, a member of Minds-N-Medicine, and I’m also doing research that has the potential to get published. There’s absolutely never a shortage of things to get involved in at Ferrum! 

Ferrum has given me great leverage for my future. I’m a more rounded person due to the opportunities here:  I’ve been able to attend multiple chemistry conferences and use equipment that most universities won’t let you touch until you’re in graduate school. Ferrum has given me the opportunity to step up my competition. 

I’ve been at Ferrum for 4 years and have made many fond memories, but my favorite ones are the snow days.  A group of friends and I always end up going sledding and snowboarding down one of Ferrum’s numerous hills, or having snowball fights for hours. It’s just like being a child again, with no worries.