The "G" Word

by Laken P., Panther Blogger

"You get a strange feeling when you're about to leave a place...like you'll not only miss the people you love, but you'll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you'll never be this way ever again."  - Azar Nafisi

Three and a half weeks into my last semester of undergrad, I can feel the unmentionable "G word" start to creep up on me.  Graduation.  It's something that my friends and I have chosen not to think or talk about as each day that passes is one day closer to walking across the stage and saying goodbye to everything we have come to know and love in the past few years.  We are all excited to begin the next chapters of our lives, but at the same time, the feeling hits us that we will never have these moments again.  Each big event becomes our last one, and the reality that our time is growing short gets a little stronger each and every day.  We got up for classes one morning only to realize it was our last first day of school.  I started my last sorority recruitment realizing that I will not be involved with the next class of girls come in.  The list of lasts continues to build, and the bittersweet truth is that in just fourteen weeks, I will be calling myself an alumna of Ferrum College.

This past week, I got my first graduate school acceptance letter!  I was excited to receive my letter since that is what I came to school for in the first place.  I came to Ferrum with the hopes of working hard, earning good grades, and that when it was all over, I would be ready to move on to the next step of my educational journey.  What I got out of Ferrum, however, was so much more than that.  I never imagined that I would grow so attached to people or a place in just three years, but now that graduation is nearly here, I can't imagine not living out the indescribable experience that Ferrum gave me.

I will be leaving this place as a person who has grown so much in the short time that I have been here.  I came to school not knowing a single person, and I am leaving with best friends that I will never know how I was able to make it the first 18 years of my life without.  I am leaving with professor mentors who I know will always be there for me if I need them, even if it is years down the road.  Above all else, I am leaving with stories and memories that will last for the rest of my life.  If anything, I can only hope that the legacy I leave behind at Ferrum is even half the size of the one it has left in me.

From Freshman to Senior Year

by Stephanie D., Panther Blogger

Going into my freshman year at Ferrum College, I never thought I would succeed as much as I did.  Freshman year is all about adjustment to life on your own, new people, and new living conditions.  Luckily, this was all made very easy by the faculty and staff.  I've been a cheerleader since my freshman year, and playing a sport really got me on track.  Not only did it get me on campus a week early, which helped me learn the college better, but it also provided structure in my day-to-day routine.  I was able to attend team study halls, which helped with my grades, and I made friends with upperclassmen.

Now, it's my senior year and I have been accepted into Radford University's Criminal Justice Graduate Program!  I could not have done this without the preparation that Ferrum has given me. The outstanding resources, the academic atmosphere, and the faculty who helped me get to where I wanted to be really showed me that dreams could come true.  I am so thankful for the experience that Ferrum gave me as an undergraduate that I would recommend Ferrum to any and every senior in high school I meet.

From freshman year to senior year, there were bumps along the way, but at Ferrum, the motto is "Not Self, But Others" and this was implemented by my peers and professors to help me succeed and get the most I could out of my education.  I couldn't be more excited to graduate and further my education at Radford, but I will truly be heartbroken when I miss Ferrum because this is where I found who I'm supposed to be.  I can't wait to call myself a Ferrum alumna!

Introduction to New Blogger Stephanie!

by Stephanie D., Panther Blogger


My name is Stephanie and I am a senior at Ferrum College. I have studied at Ferrum for the past three years, and as I head into my fourth year, I plan to graduate with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Criminology and minors in sociology and accounting.  My favorite hobby is reading and my favorite book is Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight.  I have been a cheerleader for almost 13 years. I have a brother who is a sophomore at Villanova University.  My family is my support system and without them, I wouldn't be the person and student I am today.

I am involved in many things on campus.  I am a captain on the Ferrum cheerleading squad, an active sister in Theta Gamma Omega, a PAL (peer assisted learning) tutor for accounting 201, and a member of the Criminal Justice Club.  I'm from Chesapeake, Virginia and an alumni of Hickory High School.  After graduating, I plan to attend graduate school and study for a master's degree in either criminology or something related to criminal justice.  I have not decided on the school I would like to attend and I am currently studying for the GRE.




I'm also a resident assistant at Ferrum College and absolutely love my job!  I chose to attend Ferrum College because of the beautiful campus and scenery change!  Going from the beach to the mountains is something I look forward to every year.  Ferrum has changed my life and I am so thankful that I am a student here.  I have benefited very much from the small classroom sizes and the individual attention I can seek when I need it.  There are many resources for students that have helped me immensely, such as the math center and writing center.

This past summer, I studied abroad through an E-Term course and had the time of my life!  I went to Belize for 15 days and it changed my outlook on life.  I can't thank Ferrum enough for all it has prepared me for and all it has instilled in me.  I am looking forward to being able to call myself an alumna of Ferrum College and continuing to do what Ferrum has prepared me for:  going after my dreams and not settling for anything less!

Accepted Into the Master's Program at Virginia Tech!

by Brittany G., Panther Blogger

The last blog that I posted was about attending an Entomology Conference in Williamsburg, VA.  I had also stated that I was in contact with the Entomology Department about their master's program at Virginia Tech.  Well, the more work that you put into your school, the better the outcomes!

I have officially been offered the position to complete a field research program in Winchester this summer, as well as the following summer, where I will be researching grape root borer.  Between the summer research sessions, I will be going to Virginia Tech to complete a fully-paid master's program!  This just proves that dedication and going outside of just what it offered in classes and clubs on campus can do for your future.  Widen the views of where you want to go and where you can go, then consider everything possible.

As many professors in the science department can agree, I had planned - until May 2013 - that I wanted to continue my education at a graduate medical school, but I was offered a job through Ferrum and everything changed.  It wasn't easy, but I had to teach myself several things about what was involved in entomology and have since then accomplished more goals than I thought was possible in the matter of a year.  If the chance is there, take your smart brains off campus and teach the world because you never know who will be able to offer you something in the future!

Conference Opportunities

by Brittany G., Panther Blogger

As I am continuing my work through the science department on entomology research, I was given the opportunity to be a part of an Entomology Regional Meeting in Williamsburg, VA.  This was a chance to be included in four days of meetings, lectures, Ph.D. and Masters research presentations, games, food, and hundreds of other people studying and researching the same things I have been working with this past year. Most of those who read this may automatically think:  Geek!  Well, there is no such thing as a Geek status when it has given me the chance to be within a community that is interested in learning the techniques and results that others in the same field have been studying.

I had the pleasure of sitting through the Masters and Ph.D. presentations which provided me the chance to ask questions and connect to other students who are conducting their research and still attending class.  I met several students from the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Rutgers, and Virginia Tech.  After their talks, I went to an arthropod lecture where I connected with several professors from other schools about how we can understand these creatures in our world.  These lectures had one thing in common:  they want to figure out why some insects are the way they are and how to control pests when many do not like them in their homes or around the plants.

After all of the major sessions were done and there was some down time, there was plenty of food offered, as well as fun and games.  This is where many of my personal sit-down meetings with professors and other students happened. I met one student from Pennsylvania and he was interested in veterinarian sciences, but he ended up studying entomology through his school.  This just proves that along with myself, many students change their minds about jobs or graduate programs even as late as their very last year in college!  The best part of this weekend meeting was gaining these connections with other schools and professors.

Before I left the conference, I walked away having met several more people and I have kept in touch with many since then. The professors who were there were very knowledgeable and so friendly that they would literally walk up to you and start a conversation to learn everyone's interests in that type of field.  I am proud to say that I have met a lovely crew at Virginia Tech and have been in contact with them to continue my education through their Master's Program in Entomology. So before anyone turns down an opportunity, at least try it once!  I had no idea this would be the outcome of such a conference, and I have gained so much experience by talking to other entomologists in the field.

Being Back at Ferrum

by Delana S., Panther Blogger


Since returning from D.C., I have had to readjust myself to Ferrum and being back in a slower-paced environment.  It is refreshing, but at the same time increasingly hard because I have been on the go for so long that my body really just got used to it.  I am so glad to be back home.  I missed all of my friends and my professors here.

Still, this semester is very busy for me because I have to make some decisions regarding next year and what I want to do when I graduate.  So far, I have come to the conclusion that I want to go to graduate school and be a Foreign Service officer.  I had the opportunity to meet a few people who could tell me what I needed to do to start the application process and what it includes, but I'm not sure where I'm going to end up.  Things have been looking pretty bright for me and my future, but it is hard when you want to do everything!

One thing that I truly love about this semester is that I really get to work on public relations for the Student Government Association.  I was elected with the cabinet, but they really didn't need me in the fall, so I get to do a lot now and I love it!  Ferrum College's Student Government Association now has a Twitter account and will soon have an Instagram and a Tumblr account.  These are my "pet projects" because with technology becoming more prominent in careers, it is good to start building a network and reaching out to others on social media.  I also get to work on other creative projects and have fun with them.

Besides that, I am also getting involved with the Ferrum Leadership Fellows again. Despite being absent from Ferrum's campus last semester, being in D.C. helped me to work on my leadership skills and also further develop my communication skills that will help me be a good and effective leader.  The best part of having a good relationship with the company is that they allowed me to come back and help with a big event, and I was able to see many of the people who I had previously met.  It was an amazing experience and I am glad that I had the opportunity to work with them all once again. I love being a leader and taking on leadership roles because it is always a fulfilling adventure.

One thing that I thought that I wouldn't be able to do within my four years at Ferrum is study abroad, but I went to D.C. last semester and now I am going to be heading off to Alicante, Spain for the upcoming fall semester!  It seems that I am doing a lot, but with my second major being Spanish, it is a good opportunity for me to be immersed in the culture and become fluent.  I am very excited because I have never been to this part of Spain - on the coast.  I have traveled to Spain multiple times, but this will be new. I will be living with a host family, attending the university, and learning about the people and the culture.  Many people can't believe I am leaving again, but I have to take advantage of every opportunity I can before I graduate.  I am excited for this new adventure!

The Future Ferrum Gave Me

by Grant W., Panther Blogger

I have some big news!  After years and years of hard work and dedication, it has all paid off.  I have been accepted into the Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2018 at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech!  What a mouthful!  I am so excited and cannot wait to spread my wings and fly into my future career (less of a career and more of a lifelong love).  I plan to specialize in food animal medicine and possibly may be part of the dual degree program (DVM/Ph.D.), but I am waiting to hear back from that program.  Through all of this excitement, I am not the shining start, but instead, I am a mere reflection of those who directed and impacted my path.

Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech

Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
at Virginia Tech

Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
at Virginia Tech

Those who have impacted my path make up a massively long list that I could never repay.  First and foremost, my parents, grandparents, and family not only helped bring me into this world but have also given me the tools to succeed.  In the same sense, I owe my success to the many faculty, staff, friends, and mentors in my life -- from my AP Biology teacher Mrs. Tangie Duncan who introduced me to my amazingly directive advisor, Dr. Aylesworth, to Dr. Gazdik who inspired me, to Dr. Grochowski who gave me connections to succeed.

Ferrum College often times receives a bad reputation as a school of dropouts and students who will go nowhere, but many of my classmates/friends and my own successes for the future shout quite the opposite.  Ferrum College possesses a special niche in every person's life that it touches.  The faculty pour their lives into the students, and the students pour themselves into each other.  The Ferrum community not only brings a bright new chapter to life, but also provides the breeding ground for successful futures.  Don't let prestige guide your path, for pride leads us astray, but instead, seek out the hidden benefits.

The Next Step After Ferrum?

by Brittany G., Panther Blogger

As the end of junior year approaches, each student has their own idea as to what they want to do after they graduate from Ferrum. Whether it is going to graduate school, finding a job, starting a family, or taking a nice and long vacation, there is always another goal that we want to accomplish after graduating. As for me, the next step is to continue my education at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to meet with Admissions at the school to take a tour of the facilities, to gather information about what it takes to get into graduate school, as well as to talk to many of the students. We began by sitting in the lecture hall for a few hours going over what basic knowledge we would need to have before acceptance. There was a long list from general chemistry and anatomy to biochemistry and microbiology, which are just some of the many classes we should already have experience with. Before graduating college, you have to take the MCAT, which is a general knowledge test of physics, math, sciences, and writing, and you have to score at least in the high 20's to low 30's. In addition to that examination, students are required to come into the school with enough experience in job shadowing or internship with a doctor of osteopathic medicine to get a letter of recommendation.

Photo courtesy of Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (included
in my information packet)

Seems like a lot thus far, but nothing beats actually getting the chance to sit down and talk with current students. Those students are the people who have given me the best advice anyone has ever told me to prepare for medical school:

"If there is one thing that any student who plans on going to medical school should do before attending, it's to have fun spending every minute you can with family and friends the summer before attending. Medical school will be a full-time job once you're accepted at this particular school. Lectures consume about 5-6 hours a day with an hour lunch and at least 3 hours of laboratory work. It requires studying for several hours every night since examinations are placed about every other day to ensure students understand and comprehend what they are being taught instead of waiting for a huge test later on. No matter how hard we think undergraduate school is, there is always something more stressful and deserves more attention and better time management."

Photo courtesy of Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
(included in my information packet)

Although my day visiting the school entailed a lot of information and question-asking that produced side effects of being stressed, overwhelmed and nervous, I know everything can be accomplished when we set ourselves up for success.

We must do the best we can in undergraduate school and accomplish everything we can, as well as have fun when the time is right. Even if there is no support from family or friends, it is always beneficial to have close ties with professors and other faculty at any college who would be willing to do almost anything to help you accomplish your goals. If there is one thing I could tell students thus far in the process, it is to be strong and confident in what you do at Ferrum because those who grow close to you will always be there to help you. 

Studying the easier stuff now and learning time management and patience will help you accomplish anything that will be in your way later in life. There is no room to say "can't" because every person "can" whether you're considering a job, graduate school, or any other possibility after graduating. The future ahead of you is what you make it!

Sweet Summertime!

By Grant W., Panther Blogger

As it is for many students, summer is a precious time to me. It is a time to be outside enjoying the entirety of what this world has to offer. Families go on vacation, friends visit friends, and we all get to kick back and soak up some rays. Along with all the fun in the sun comes some hard work though! Summer offers all of us some valuable time to try and strengthen our resumes, and get a head start for next semester.

This summer, I have traveled to Cocoa Beach, Florida, Charleston, South Carolina, Atlanta, Georgia, Chesapeake, Virginia, and have made countless trips to the lake; in the midst of all this traveling, I have been working at Richland Creek Animal Hospital to gain experience for my future career.

Preparing for graduating from college and applying to vet school are both processes that I began well before my senior year of college.  Preparing for vet school at the University of Georgia has been an ongoing process throughout my scholastic career. As a minimum requirement for the University of Georgia's Vet School, an applicant has to have a minimum of 350 hours of experience in the field. Well, for the past few years, I have been working on just that -- gaining experience.

Through my job this summer, not only have I gained some cash for books and other college needs, but I have also gained many priceless pieces of knowledge. I have been trained to administer vaccines and draw blood and have enjoyed many other great learning experiences at the animal hospital.  Over the years of preparation for my future degree(s), I have observed many different surgical procedures including declaws, spays, neuters, amputations, tooth removals, tail dockings, and intestinal obstruction removals; all of these add to my desire to become a veterinarian. I still have a long way to go to be fully prepared for applying to vet school, but I have accepted the challenge, and now I'm striving for my dream one step at a time. I hope that any of you reading this would realize one thing:  all dreams require hard, persistent work.

But enough of work, work, and more work; in my life there is always time for play. During the days I have had off, I have taken the time to go fishing, swimming, kayaking, and hiking. I have visited friends in Atlanta and Cocoa Beach, spending some needed time just enjoying the beach and city life, as well as enjoying time with family on the intercoastal waterways of Charleston crabbing, fishing, and cast netting. My summer has also included a visit to Athens, Georgia, where a Ferrum friend and I made a special trip to the University of Georgia, the Georgia Aquarium, the CNN building, and the Centennial Park. Of course, I can't forget the event that kicked my summer off:  representing Ferrum College at Norfolk State University for the Virginia Academy of Science Conference for my research work on bacteria and antibiotics.

All in all, this summer has been one of the best. I am anxiously anticipating the start of my junior year at Ferrum College, and I can't wait to see what Ferrum has in store for all of us this year. Just remember:  always make room for some fun in between the hard work for the future. Life is all about balance, as it will be again this school year when it comes to my classes and social life!