Getting Plugged In With Ministries On and Off Campus

by Caleb T., Panther Blogger

Being involved in local church and in campus ministries at Ferrum has been a huge part of my time at Ferrum College!  Check out my video about spiritual life and campus ministries at Ferrum College - and sorry about the wind in the video!

Just in case you can't view the video here, try visiting the link on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qdW8_Bxwvw

Greeks: My Family Away From Home

by Grant W., Panther Blogger

As families all over the nation came together to celebrate this holiday season, I thought in amazement at the love families bring to one another. In the same sense, the local Greek system at Ferrum College has offered me this same sense of companionship.  I am currently the president of Mu Sigma Chi (Men Serving Christ), a Christian fraternity on campus. We are a Brotherhood based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and are active members in social, college, and community life.  We may not be conventional, but our goal is to promote the name of Jesus Christ.

We help each other grow stronger in our beliefs and grow closer together in a Christian brotherhood.  "We are all about spiritual growth!"

This group of amazing individuals has brought some of the best times to my life and offered a family away from home, in every sense of the word.  This sense of family not only reaches out from my own brotherhood, but also from all of the members of the local Greek community at Ferrum.  We truly stick together and look out for each other on campus.  Many of our lifelong friends are found within this tight-knit group.

The brothers of Mu Sigma Chi (MEX) recently had the chance to meet Ferrum's new chaplain, who will also be MEX's new advisor.  President Braaten graciously opened her home up to us and various members of our faculty and staff to meet our new chaplain, Dr. Jan Nicholson.  The event allowed us time to get to know our newest faculty member.  We concluded with a tour of campus and a group prayer.  I look forward to the new, tasteful insights that Dr. Nicholson will bring to Ferrum. 

If you are looking into Ferrum College as your future home and alma mater, I recommend you look at the biggest family on campus -- the Greeks!  They will change your life!  And look out for the awesome new things that our newest faculty addition will bring to Ferrum's Campus Ministries!

Wednesday Nights

by Maryann C., Panther Blogger

During the school year, I attend a local church -- Ferrum Faith Assembly of God. I have become very involved with the church during the course of my four years here.  One responsibility that I have taken on for about a year now is teaching a class for elementary-aged girls on Wednesday nights. During these Wednesday nights, the girls and I sing songs, do a Bible lesson, play games, and just spend time together.

Some of the more exciting projects and activities I have done with the girls include puppet shows, making themed snacks (like witches' hats for Halloween), and playing games like musical chairs. I am especially excited about the tea party I am planning for the girls when I return from break!

Teaching this class has been a lot of fun, and I have learned a lot from working with these young ladies. I have enjoyed getting to know these girls and spending time with them.

Some of God's Greatest Gifts are Unanswered Prayers

by Laken P., Panther Blogger
 

Sometimes we spend our entire lives wishing, hoping, and praying for everything to go exactly according to our individual life plan. When God’s plans and our arrangements don’t coincide, heartbreak and struggle are often inevitable in the short-term moments, but in the end, we ultimately realize that the outcome far surpasses any scenario that we could have personally formulated. The story of how I came to Ferrum College is an exact example of God having other plans in store for my life that would lead to be some of the best experiences I have ever had.

My name is Laken. I am a sophomore and a double major in Pre-Professional Science and Health & Human Performances. After graduating from Ferrum, I plan to further my education by attending medical school and eventually becoming an orthopedic surgeon with a specialty in sports medicine. I am a member of the Ferrum Cheerleading team, the Minds-n-Medicine Club, Panther Productions, Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, Admissions Student Ambassadors, and the Boone Honors Program.

Since I am involved in so many clubs and organizations and have such a love for my school, no one would have ever guessed that I didn’t initially plan on coming to Ferrum. While looking back and reflecting on my college application process, I realize that I am beyond blessed that I made FC my final choice. I have only been on campus a little over a month, and I have already made friendships and memories that will carry on through the rest of my life. I have quickly learned that choosing Ferrum was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The students are friendly, the professors are helpful, and the atmosphere is beyond ideal. No matter what your personal interests or academic goals are, Ferrum will easily be one of the best decisions you make. When you come to Ferrum, you are not just a student; you become a member of the family. I know God led me here to become a missing hole in the Ferrum Family, and I hope you will one day be led down the same path.




In the end, college is about finding yourself, growing in your knowledge, and making memories that you will never forget. The saying “Everything happens for a reason,” could never hold more true. Between cheering on the Panthers at that first victory of the season, rushing DPhiE, making late night pizza runs, planning campus activities, making new friends and attending study groups, I truly have fallen in love with Ferrum and everything it has to offer. Maybe attending Ferrum is the sole top spot on your list, or maybe it is just a fall back plan. Either way, schedule a visit and become involved; Ferrum will grow on you and you will never want to leave.

Greetings from Ferrum College Student Blogger, Maryann!

By Maryann C., Panther Blogger

My name is Maryann and I am a senior at Ferrum College. I am from Sterling, VA, which is not far from Washington D.C. I am working toward a major in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Secondary Education. My short-term goal is to graduate next spring. One of my long-term goals is to find a teaching job after graduation where I can make science fun and exciting for my students.

I found out about Ferrum College at a college fair when I was in high school. I was looking for a small college with a pre-professional science major. At the time, I wanted to become a veterinarian. I also wanted a school where I could play soccer but still have time to do what I wanted to do. I knew that a big school was not for me, so I came to Ferrum.

At first, I had some reservations about coming to Ferrum, but once I came here, I soon grew to love Ferrum! There are a lot of different things I love about Ferrum College. One thing I love about it here is the faculty and staff. Teachers are always trying their best to help students in any way they can. I can name multiple scenarios when a teacher was willing to work with me so I could succeed. The many other faculty and staff who work on campus are also very helpful and friendly.

Ferrum College is a great school and is preparing me for the future each and every semester. The best example I can think of is in my goal of becoming a teacher. I have taken many Education classes here at Ferrum College. Each semester that a student takes an EDU class, 40 hours of internship at a public school are required. Forty hours seems like a lot, and yes it can be difficult, but the benefits are so worth it. Since I have been in the Franklin County Public School system doing internships for three years now, I know that I actually want to be a teacher. Plus, I am gaining experiences that many other teacher education students at other schools are not getting. This will help me to stand out more when I apply for a teaching position.

There are so many different ways to get involved here at Ferrum. I am currently on the women’s soccer team. I have also run for the women’s cross country team in the past. I am president of a club called Sisters Serving Christ. I have also been a part of our Orientation Team, which works with the freshmen on Gateway Weekend. I have also played many of the intramural sports offered during the year, such as basketball, soccer and volleyball. What is so great about Ferrum College is that it’s easy to find clubs that interest you; if there is a club you want to be a part of but that is not already at Ferrum, you can easily make a club.

I have created so many wonderful memories here at Ferrum College, so it’s hard to pick just one to talk about. I can’t wait to see what new memories will be made during my last year here.

Religion, Ferrum Style!

BY GRANT, PANTHER BLOGGER

Many people have a major misconception when it comes to religion at Ferrum College. Because Ferrum College is a Methodist College, many people automatically think that the only thing that is present on campus is Methodist activities. The truth is though, that although Methodist activities are present on campus, Ferrum is open to many different denominations and religious beliefs.

I am the current president of Ferrum Christian Fellowship, a member of Mu Sigma Chi (Men Serving Christ), and I lead a Bible study on Tuesday nights here at Ferrum. Being involved in the campus ministries on campus, I can tell you personally that they will not disappoint. In the multiple Bible studies and at Monday Night Praise—which is basically church on Monday night—we do not teach philosophy or specify a certain denomination, but instead, we proclaim the Gospel and Jesus’s Holy Name.

Sanctus Real

The religious groups here on campus are not only greatly involved in Monday Night Praise and Bible studies, but we also participate in many other activities. Some of these activities include hosting Christian concerts, cookouts, tailgates, bonfires, pancake dinners, movie nights, car washes, game nights, Super Bowl parties, bake sales, Relay For Life activities, intramurals, and many other events. Last year, we had Sanctus Real come to campus for our “Big Christian Concert,” and this year, we are having The Afters join us.

In this week alone, we had Monday Night Praise, an intramural volleyball game and a Bible study at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, another Bible study on Wednesday, and we’ll be having a bonfire tonight and our typical Friday night game night tomorrow. This is just to show you a glimpse of a week here on campus regarding religious activities.

The religious group at Ferrum is literally like a family, and through it, I have experienced memorable moments and met people that will affect my life forever. Now, it is your turn to get the experience. Even if you are not religious, try it out, meet new people and have amazing experiences. Here at Ferrum, our motto is “boredom is a choice”; you have to go out and find things to do because activities won’t just come and find you in your room. Ferrum College is open to many different beliefs and ideas, and as a community, we are willing to accept many different things that each student brings to the table.

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!