Letting Go: Trusting in God’s Plan

By Daniel Kyle

February 27, 2017:  Wow! What an amazing day! It was day three of our Alternative Spring Break Mission trip from Ferrum and it was nothing short of phenomenal. Today we went back to finish up the moving process with the family we were assigned to. We learned so much from helping the flood survivors from last year’s hurricane (Hurricane Matthew) at Virginia Beach that even after leaving their company, we were dwelling on the wealth of knowledge and wisdom we received from their beautiful spirits. We were in awe of how grateful and kind-hearted they were towards us. Stephanie, Jan, and Alexis worked with each other to organize and pack boxes extra heavy for the men, testing what little strength they had left after day one. Lukas and Mark put their “Boy Scout” skills to the test by securing boxes, with rope, inside the back of the truck. Ricky and Daniel did an exceptional job organizing the back of the truck to clear space for continuous oncoming traffic. Working together as a team never looked so good as each individual carried the motto “Not Self but Others” in their hearts and minds.

1 Corinthians 12 says Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. This verse exemplified how we felt as a team. Each of us had a different skill set or gift we brought to the table in order to accomplish the mission at hand. There were many times throughout the 2-day task we wanted to stop (because of fatigue) but the encouragement we received from one another gave us motivation to strive on. During our reflection period near the end of the day, a question was brought up in the discussion. In Jeremiah 29:11 God says He plans to give us a hope and a future, however, the question was asked how do you get to that future when you’re afraid of letting go? Looking at some of the flood survivors it seemed that some of them were reluctant to let some things go. Not just material belongings but emotional and sentimental feelings as well. We could only imagine what a lot of them have gone through in this past year losing their homes and personal possessions.

Sometimes it’s hard to find the right answer to tough questions but we took a stab at it with our thoughts on the day. First, understanding that things are replaceable. One of the survivors repetitively kept saying “It’s replaceable” throughout the day (referring to their possessions). It was almost like they were training themselves to believe what they were saying. That’s how God’s word works in our lives, by consistently reading it and dwelling on whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things (Philippians 4:8).

Secondly, being appreciative and grateful for what you have can help you move forward in life. 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.

Introduction to New Blogger, Kathleen!

by Kathleen B., Panther Blogger

Hello!  I'm Kathleen, but most of my friends here at Ferrum call me Kat.  I'm originally from the Lake Anna, Virginia area.  Some of my biggest loves and dreams all have to do with writing. I've been in love with the pen and paper since I was a young girl. It is my dream to take my love and talent of writing and use it to influence those around me to rise above expectations and make the world a better place.

You're probably wondering how I found Ferrum College.  I actually heard about it from a family friend whose daughter graduated from Ferrum.  I journeyed three hours with my parents to tour the school and absolutely fell in love.  I love the mountains, so the scenery was a huge attraction for me.  But more importantly, the faculty was amazing. They worked with me and countless other transfer students to help us get settled in.

Ferrum has become home to me.  It is a smaller college, so everyone on campus is tight-knit and like a family to me.  The atmosphere here is light and happy. Among my favorite things about Ferrum are the professors and teachers.  I've become close with more than one professor on campus. They're all so kind and treat their students like their own children.  They can be hard on us at times but only because they want to see us do our best.  I've made amazing connections because of my professors here at Ferrum.  Because of this, I've been able to get internships for journalism.

Some of the many things that I am involved in are theater, campus ministry, the improv club, recreation club, and Theta Gamma Omega.  I will be acting as Pilar in this year's musical Legally Blonde.  As it is my first time being involved with a theater production, I'm very excited to show off my singing and acting talents.  I am also the Co-Director of our Campus Ministry's Praise Team.  I love working with the vocalists within Campus Ministry!  The Improv Club is all about improvisational acting. We do performances in the Panther's Den and in the theater regularly throughout the semester.  The Recreation Club is an amazing outdoors club!  We do hikes, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, and many other activities as a group.  Theta Gamma Omega (OGO) is one of Ferrum's local sororities, and I am excited to be pledging them this semester!

I have many fond memories of Ferrum.  Perhaps my most vivid and beloved is of the Homecoming concert that Ferrum put on for the students last semester.  My friends and I had been anticipating it all day.  My best friend and I spent the night swing dancing and laughing.  I can still recall her laughter ringing out with mine. We often talk about that night and how amazing it was.

Ferrum College is truly a wonderful place.  I wouldn't be the person I am today without the professors and friends I have had the honor to meet here.

A Successful "Milk & Cookies with Santa" Event!

by Amanda R., Panther Blogger

The only thing standing between the students and Christmas break are finals!  I want to wish the best of luck to everyone!


While students get caught up in the stress of finals, they can forget to keep their holiday cheer.  On December 9th in the Panther's Den, the Physical Activities Club held the "Milk and Cookies with Santa" event!  This event included coloring pictures, creating reindeer crafts, milk and cookies, and even a photo opportunity with Santa! 

We had great support from fellow students and faculty, who even brought their own children in for the event!  With the great turnout, we raised $176.00 and two huge boxes of donated toys for the Child Advocacy Center.  Events like this really open your heart for the families in need at this time of the year. I love being involved in events like this on campus!

On behalf of the Panther Blog Team, softball team, and Physical Activities Club, I want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday!  Can't wait to be back in January!

- Amanda

"Stacks for the Kids" Fundraiser with ZXE

by Brett W., Panther Blogger

On November 3rd, Zeta Chi Epsilon was making stacks on stacks...of pancakes!  This sorority that I "sweetheart" for has a fundraiser every semester for our philanthropy, The Child Advocacy Center in Rocky Mount. The fundraiser is called Stacks for the Kids.  It's held in Confetti's, which is on the bottom floor of Bassett, a dorm on campus.  Confetti's has everything from a kitchen to couches to big screen TVs!  Tickets were sold in the Franklin Hall atrium for a couple of weeks before the event.  A $2 ticket got the purchaser a plate of three pancakes or wait what...three waffles!  Tickets became $3 at the door, $1 for another plate once they were there, and 100% of the proceeds went to the philanthropy.

The night started off wonderfully with the Bassett fire alarm going off at 7 p.m. (the intended start time of the fundraiser), but finally we were able to get back down there and keep cooking!  ZXE provided all of the toppings, such as butter, syrup, whipped cream, strawberries, bananas, and even had coffee with all of the fixings.

A wide variety of people showed up, from students to professors to family, and at the end of the night, we raised enough money to donate $100 to the Child Advocacy Center of Rocky Mount.  A professor who is on the Advising Panel for this organization said she could not have been more pleased with what we were doing and how much it meant to her and the children.

Overall, the night was filled with fun and excitement, as well as the joy of knowing we were doing something good for others just like Ferrum's motto says: "Not Self, But Others."  So be on the lookout each semester here on out for campus mail talking about Stacks for the Kids, and I hope to see everyone there!

An Introduction to New Blogger, Amanda!

by Amanda R., Panther Blogger

Hi, everyone!  My name is Amanda and I am a new member to the Panther Blog Team!  I am really excited about this new experience.  I was raised on a farm in a small town called Lawrenceville, Virginia (about an hour south of Richmond).  I graduated from Park View High School in May 2013.  At the same time as my high school graduation, I also graduated from our community college with my Associate's Degree.  While at Ferrum, I am majoring in Health and Human Performance for Physical Education with a minor in Coaching.  Because I am so involved and interested in my major, I became the secretary of our Physical Activities Club on campus.  I also play on the softball team as a pitcher and third baseman, and I plan on playing all four years I am here.

When looking into colleges, I had no idea where I wanted to attend.  Mainly, I was looking at smaller schools for softball.  After narrowing down my choices and visiting them, I knew Ferrum was my future home.  I grew up in a small, country area and Ferrum just felt like a second home to me.  The campus itself is truly beautiful in every season. Whether it's the leaves changing on the trees or the snow covering the mountains, it is always an amazing sight.

If you talk with someone from Ferrum and they tell you there is "nothing to do," it is because they are not going out and involving themselves!  There is so much to do and be involved with on campus.  With so many athletic teams and intramural sports, you can keep yourself busy!  Sports don't interest you?  Join the theater program or one of our other activity groups!  Being bored on campus is a choice you make.  When someone asks me if I made the right choice by coming to Ferrum, I always tell them I couldn't have picked a better school for me!

A Guided Hike of Ferrum's DeHart Botanical Garden!

by Brett W., Panther Blogger

Every year, Ferrum College has a different overarching theme for both semesters that is chosen by one of the three different academic schools, which rotate turns to choose the theme.  In my freshman year, our theme was "Sustainability," which was headed by the school I am in - Natural Sciences and Math.  Last year, it was chosen and run by the School of Social Science and Professional Studies and was titled "Sustaining Community Engagement," which touched on philanthropy.  Well, this year, the theme was up to the School of Arts and Humanities, and they created the current theme titled "Roots and Routes."  Because the theme is supposed to be an integral part of life here at Ferrum College, many activities, speeches, and programs that occur through the year are part of the theme event.

Well, on October 4th, a guided hike of the DeHart Botanical Garden of Ferrum College was given to fulfill one of these theme events.  It took about 45 minutes by van to reach the site, and once we were all there and unloaded ourselves, we began the trek up the mountain.  Having Dr. Pohlad, my advisor and the head of the Horticulture Program, lead the tour made it all the better. We explored a cave, discovered a neon orange edible mushroom, and some people even ate a jelly fungus!  Being able to see and appreciate all these extra little things that Ferrum College has to offer really and truly makes me proud of my school and confirms my belief that this is where I am meant to be.

Have Fun With the Ferrum College Rec Club!

by Caleb T., Panther Blogger

Hey guys!  I wanted to tell you a little bit about Ferrum College's Rec Club.  Please check out my video!  Thanks for watching!

Just in case you can't view the video here, try visiting the link on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6AUAyblp8w

My Last Ferrum Homecoming as an Undergrad

by Stephanie D., Panther Blogger

Homecoming weekend is a weekend where alumni and current students come together and celebrate Ferrum College and all of its accomplishments.  This year, homecoming at Ferrum also included the family festival and the hall of fame inductees. Friday, September 26th started off with the family festival. There was a BBQ dinner along with live entertainment!  There was also a parade that showed off sports teams and clubs on campus. For this parade, we had a banner-making contest that the clubs and teams took part of to earn a cash prize!  On Saturday, September 27th, the Ferrum Football team played the Bishops from NC and lost by 4 points.  The game was awesome and the team played so well throughout the whole game.

Homecoming is also a chance to get to know alumni and make connections with those who have graduated and experienced "the real world."  Networking with alumni is a great way to get first hand knowledge on what steps to take after graduation. These alumni might even be able to get you a job!  Ferrum has the friendliest faculty and staff, as well as alumni, and it is very easy to make a new friend at every event that Ferrum holds. I am sad to say that this was my last homecoming as an undergraduate at Ferrum College, but it was my best one yet!

F-E-R-R-U-M

by Laken P., Panther Blogger

As I am caught in the bittersweet moment of my third and final year at Ferrum, I have truly realized how my short time here has greatly impacted my life as a whole. Facing the uncertainty of the future, along with the memories of the past has led me to think about what has made the past few years ones that I will never forget. A reflection of the life experiences I will take away with me at graduation can easily be broken into FERRUM -- a word that is more than just a school name but is also a major part of my life.

Family. There is a quote that reads, "Here's to the nights that turned into mornings, with the friends that turned into family."  Here at Ferrum College, the "Ferrum Family" isn't just a concept we tell potential students to sell them on our great school; it's an actual pure and raw state that can be felt from the first few weeks on campus and well into alumni status. The common bond of Panther Pride connects each of us, making Ferrum the tight-knit community that it is. Since I have been here, I have met so many wonderful people that make me wonder how I ever made it through the first part of my life without them. Whether it's my roommates, Greek family, club members, or study groups, the people I have met on this campus have truly become some of my closest friends. Every year, another graduation pulls some of us apart, but it is nice to know that we will always be a part of the Ferrum family and have each other to lean on for the rest of our lives.

E-term. One of the best experiences I have had not only at Ferrum, but in my whole life, was the opportunity to travel abroad with a Ferrum E-term (Experiential Term) class. I took an Environmental Science class where we traveled to Ireland to study the culture, heritage, landmarks, and natural history.  We flew into Dublin and spent time traveling around the entire country learning about the rich history of Ireland.  I learned more than I ever have in any other class because I was able to learn the material by visiting landmarks, meeting people from other countries, and experiencing life outside of America. Without this opportunity that Ferrum provided to take an E-term course, I probably would have never had a chance to visit and explore Ireland and Northern Ireland in the way that I did this past summer.  The class and trip are definitely something that I will talk about and treasure for the rest of my life as I hold close the memories of kissing the Blarney Stone, seeing Fungie the Dolphin, walking to the edge of the Cliffs of Moher, climbing the Giants Causeway, and feeding baby sheep - just to name a few!

Recruitment. I thoroughly enjoy being an Admissions Ambassador and Panther Blogger as they are both ways for me to personally connect with potential students long before they ever decide to make Ferrum their home. Sharing my stories and experiences allow me to open up and give potential students a glimpse of Ferrum that propels well beyond an official visit or a website of information.  One of the most important factors in choosing a school is finding a place you can call home, and I am honored that I am able to help future students make that decision. As an Admissions Ambassador, I have given countless campus tours, listened to personal stories and backgrounds, and answered any and all questions that arise. Watching a parent's eyes light up when they realize that their child has found a new home for the next few years is an experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. From athletic recruits, special guests, future students, and other special campus events, I gladly step up to tell everyone what makes this place so special. I sometimes have too much to say simply because I love this school and everything about it so much!

Responsibility. Everyone says a college is the time to truly discover yourself, learn what you are meant to do in life, and work hard to achieve your goals. When you pick a major, throw in extracurricular activities, meal times, hours of homework, athletic practices and time to sleep, sometimes it seems like you won't even make it through the day, much less the whole semester or year.  In my time here, I have learned that college is the place where the days drag on for what seems like forever, but the weeks and months fly by. It seems like only a few days ago that I was at home too excited to sleep because I knew I would be moving into my first dorm room the next day. Looking back on the short two years that I have been here, I cannot believe I am facing my senior year of college.  I opened my mailbox the other day to find an application for graduation; that's when it hit me that my undergraduate career is almost over. In the time since my first semester here, I have definitely noticed a change in the way I study, finish my homework, and schedule out my days ahead of time. I have used the skills and resources provided to me to work and ensure that I get a little better each semester. Responsibility is a skill that must be developed in each individual person, but Ferrum does an excellent job of helping guide students to their goals through Freshman Gateway courses, senior capstones, advisor meetings, and professional prep classes.

Unicorns. Of all my campus activities and organizations, my favorite is my sorority, Delta Phi Epsilon, whose international mascot is the unicorn. Being a sister of Ferrum's first national Greek organization has brought me some of my closest friends, helped me become a part of something so much bigger than myself, and allowed me constant opportunities to give back to the community. Within the sorority, I have found roommates, best friends, future bridesmaids, study partners, role models, and mentors all while being involved in something that has made me a better and well-rounded person. Delta Phi Epsilon chartered on Ferrum's campus in 2011 and has continued to grow each and every semester. Being a member of an international organization allows for the opportunity to network with alumni, find sisters all across the world, and work hard to raise funds for our philanthropies. We raise money and awareness for our official philanthropies, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) and Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), as well as to contribute to the campus and local community. I can't believe that I only have a semester and a half left on campus with my sisters and fellow unicorns, but I know that no matter where I am in the world, they will always be there loving and supporting me.

Mentor. I am involved in many clubs and organizations on campus, and I hold a leadership role in several of them. I am the Vice President of Academic Affairs for Delta Phi Epsilon, Secretary of the Minds-n-Medicine club, and a member of the Honors Advisory Council for the Boone Honors Program.  I also serve as a mentor for the Gateway seminar that freshmen take each fall. Through the opportunities that Ferrum has given me to step up and be a leader, I feel more confident going into the rest of my life with experience and knowledge. There are so many clubs and organizations on campus that allow students to be a member and/or student leader - there really is something for everyone. Becoming involved is one of the best ways to expand horizons, build resumes, and meet new people, and I'm so glad I have been able to take advantage of it all in my short time here!

Senior Year: Another Time for Changes

by Rachel W.

The beginning of the end.

To say that becoming a senior in college can be overwhelming is an understatement.  There are so many emotions that flood my heart when I think about this being my senior year:  happiness, sadness, stress, and relief.  The thought that next year at this time I will hopefully be working hard in the Social Work field gives me so much pride and so much fear.  I have worked hard to make it this far and will continue to work hard the rest of the year.  It just hard to imagine that in a few short months, I'll walk across the stage and make the transition from student to alumni.

Ferrum has been a second home for me since I moved in freshman year.  I have been involved in clubs and organizations from the first time I attended the famed club fair.  In my first three years, I have proudly served as President of the Social Work Club, and I have been involved in the Lions Branch Club, the Leadership Fellows Program, and many other service learning programs as well as being a mentor.  However, when you become a senior, a lot of things change.  My classes are very demanding and I have an internship that takes up almost all of my spare time.  One of the most important things I've learned already this semester is how to say "no."  Knowing when to say "no" and taking a step back from extra-curricular activities is important.  It's hard not to be heavily involved in clubs and organizations, but the truth is that I have so much going on this year, I would be spreading myself too thin if I tried to be as involved as I have been in the past and that would be unfair to myself and the organizations I'm involved in.  I can thankfully be involved in the Social Work Club as a member and attend activities as much as possible, but now I don't have to run meetings, make agendas, and do all the behind-the-scenes stuff that goes on in managing a club.

The other really cool part is that I get to, in a sense, mentor the current president of the Social Work Club.  I am here to help answer any questions or help fix any problems.  I'm not leaving a club to start over or remake connections that have already been made throughout my time here. It's really awesome!  It's also really awesome to see the changes and new project the club is already talking about! It's something I can take pride in knowing that the club will thrive long after I'm gone!

Returning Home

by Brett W., Panther Blogger

This summer, I spent almost the entirety of the time from May 1st to August 26th back home with my family in Richmond, Virginia.  I attended a couple classes at the local community college to pick up a few credits when I could, and worked a couple jobs in retail and the restaurant business.  Living with my parents and my three younger siblings, life at home this summer was hectic yet boisterous.

Yet after my seeming four-month vacation to visit my family back in Richmond, in late August, I was able to finally return home.  Starting my third year here at Ferrum College meant that I was finally considered an upperclassman and that was something I could not wait to take advantage of.  First off, that means that in my upper-class 300 and 400-level classes, I am no longer seen as the weird freshman taking harder classes.  It means that now I am on my way to being at the very top of my major and having the feeling of all that is under my belt is incredible.  Second, after four months, I FINALLY got to see my friends again!

Going through high school, everyone kept telling me that the friends you make in college you make for life.  Being the moody teenager at the time, I shrugged it off thinking "yeah right, college is not going to be any better than high school."  Well, three years later, I can easily and honestly say that everyone was right.  I have made friends in this short amount of time that I know will last forever.

Third, and maybe even better than seeing my friends again this year, is that Ferrum is a community where as an upperclassman, I can finally be myself.  Going through high school was a mix of being told who I was supposed to be and struggling to figure out who I really was.  Coming to Ferrum was probably the best decision of my life because now, three years later, free from the pressure of everyone telling me who I am, I have finally figured it out on my own and can be supported and thrive in this beautifully small, private campus.

It isn't all rainbows and sunshine though. Being an upperclassman comes with a lot of hard work and new responsibilities, such as being an Active Sweetheart in the sorority Zeta Chi Epsilon, as well as being on the Executive Board for the Ferrum Greek Council, and all the other plethora of activities - including the Boone Honors Program - that being a successful, involved college student requires.

I cannot wait to see what this semester and year have in store, but I know one thing:  it'll be something to never forget!

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!

The Perks of the Recreation Leadership Minor and Ferrum Outdoors

by Caleb T., Panther Blogger

Check out my vlog below! 

If you can't see the video, you can also try watching it here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at24cWgsMlU

Things Change: It's Normal!

by Dannica B., Panther Blogger

Now we all know college is all about education and earning a degree, but we also know social life is a big part of surviving four years of college!  As a first semester freshman, the highlight of my week was watching Love Actually in my dorm room.  Yes, pathetic, right?  I had no social life.  I had friends, but I never really did anything except play Uno with my hall mates.  Every event that took place sounded "lame" and I just wanted the comfort of my bed and the taste of ramen noodles in my mouth.  That was my Friday night.  Yes, I did adventure out of my room sometimes, but nothing extraordinary ever occurred.  I didn't want to do anything and I'm not sure why.  I guess I missed home too much?  Maybe that seemed to be a valid excuse, but in reality, I was scared.  The innocence of my freshman mind couldn't bear the thought of growing up and becoming a responsible adult.

But then it hit me. It was time to grow up, it was time to do that pile of laundry sitting under my bed, and it was time to go to the cafe instead of eating ramen noodles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  It's not easy growing up, but at some point in life, we all have to "cut the umbilical cord" and become an independent person and take responsibility.  The future is going to be different than you imagine, and the friends we have now may no longer be our friends later.  The things we think we like now may turn out to be the things we begin to dislike later and you have to actually leave your dorm room to find who you really are.

My second semester was much better. I got a job, joined a sorority, became a student ambassador and a Panther Blogger, and I got so much more involved with Ferrum College that I felt more at home.  Being more involved with the college you attend makes everything so much easier.  I'm a different person than who I was when I first came to Ferrum. I'm more confident in myself and I put myself out there and became a part of the Ferrum community.  After all, it was the Ferrum community who brought me out of my shell and I couldn't be more thankful!  So remember, things change:  it's normal!

My Last Blog Before Returning to Ireland!

by Chris L., Panther Blogger


Hey, everyone!  What's the craic?

So, this is my last blog post as I will be returning home on Friday. I am so excited to go home to see all my friends and family.

My year at Ferrum College went so quickly, it's a shame I can't stay for another year. This semester particularly went extremely fast mainly due to all the snowy days we had. I am enjoying the weather we are currently getting, however, I am looking forward to the good old Irish rain when I get home.

All the international students got bored one day, so we decided to have a water balloon fight. This was very fun as it was a hot day and the water cooled us down.

Recently, two international students and I wrote a report about how to improve the international student experience when they are studying at Ferrum. We wrote this report so that faculty members could become aware of ways to improve the student experience for the next international students. The main area for improvement we found from our report was to have international students to live with American students so that we get more opportunities to hang out with Americans and form stronger friendships with them. So, next semester, it has been suggested that international students will live with Americans, and I think this will make the whole experience a lot better!

This past Saturday, I was very grateful that Dr. Basu offered to take me and three other international students out for the day. He took us on a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway so we could see the view and then go to Roanoke to eat some Indian food. It was great to get off campus for awhile and I appreciate all that Dr. Basu has done during the past year for us and I would just like to say thanks to him!

Thanks to everyone for making my year at Ferrum College a pleasant one. Who knows, maybe in the future, I will be able to come back to visit.

Spring Fun!

by Anneleisse A., Guest Blogger

Who says that there isn't anything to do in Ferrum, Virginia?  This semester has been a busy, crazy...and did I say busy semester?  But who says that when in college, you should only study and not take time off from the books?  Well let me tell you how I have spent my free time lately!

Every spring, we have a big concert and it follows a genre rotation.  This year was R&B or Hip-Hop, and guess who was our big performer!?  JUICY J!!  That's right - we had Juicy J come perform at our YMCA on campus.  The event was a huge success with about 800 people, which made it a SOLD OUT event.  I had the opportunity to volunteer to help out with the concert, and as a member of Event Staff, I had the responsibility of making sure people followed rules so that everyone could enjoy the concert to the fullest.  Although I would have loved to brag about meeting him, I didn't...but he did take a selfie with my phone while on stage which I found pretty cool.  Take a look for yourself...

Besides having a concert every spring, we have plenty of events that go on during this time.  Last weekend, we had Panthers Against Cancer.  This event went from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and there were a variety of things to do during the 12 hours of the event, such as Zumba, karaoke, and games.  The purpose of the event was to raise awareness and raise money for cancer.  Besides having this event, the Criminal Justice Club hosted a chalk run on the same day. 

So although school is a priority, you should always try to make time for some personal fun when possible.  Take time off and do something that doesn't involve classwork unless that's what makes you happy.  It's not every weekend that Ferrum will have big events like these, but there are always other options, whether it's taking an hour out of your day to walk campus, do some yoga at the Y, or simply get in a quick workout.

Until next time,
Anneleisse

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!