The Iron Blade - Vol. 67 Issue 5

April 15, 2022 Vol. 67, Issue 5

IBlade@Ferrum.edu

Ferrum College

215 Ferrum Mountain Rd., Ferrum, VA 24088

Iron Blade and Franklin News-Post form alliance to cover local and campus events and give journalism students professional experience

Daylight Saving Time

DEA Presentation

From Panther to Tiger

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ther King, Jr. Day event, a panel discussion on the events happening in Ukraine, the Empty Bowls initiative, and a Haitian food station,” Boyd said.

She also praised Iron Blade staff stand in front of the Franklin News-Post the quality of the building in Rocky Mount as part of the recent partnership between the two publications. Front row from left: Anna submissions.

Rymer, freshman; Refentse Maselwa, freshman; Bella “The articles were all incredi- Eddy, freshman; Lindsey M. Foster, junior; Caroline King, bly well-written,” junior; Marina J. Powell, freshman. Back row from left: Cody Gibson, junior; Monzelle Campbell, freshman; C.J. Boyd said. “I certainly wasn’t Hughes, freshman. (Staff photo) able to write as Franklin News-Post,” Foster said. “I was articulately when I was in college. Simply not expecting it to be posted outside of put, the articles looked professional. If I The Iron Blade. When I found out that hadn’t known they had been written by it was going to be printed (in the Newsstudent journalists, I would have simply Post), I did not know what to think of it. I assumed they had been written by profeswas on cloud nine when I found out that I sional journalists.” was on the front page as well.”

Boyd also applauded the student newsNow, the IB staff can find some of its paper. articles in two publications, right as the “The Iron Blade is certainly a dynamic Iron Blade has returned to regular print publication,” Boyd said. “It is designed editions after a two-year Covid-induced in a way that is very easy to read. Unlike hiatus. some publications, it has a personality. I “I'm just very proud of us,” Powell said. can tell a lot of time and effort goes into “I feel like we are reviving the spirit of the the construction of each issue.”

Iron Blade and doing what Ferrum ColThe students have enjoyed seeing their lege is supposed to do--connecting with bylines in both publications. the community and sharing our stories,” “It was crazy to have my story in the said Powell.

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A partnership has formed between the county newspaper The Franklin NewsPost and The Iron Blade where IB staff will supply the county paper with content relevant to the college and the Village of Ferrum.

The arrangement has members of the paper eager to cover events and proud of the work being done.

“I'm so excited to be partnering with the News-Post because it shows that these stories are powerful, and they mean something to this community,” Marina J. Powell Iron Blade Assistant Editor, said.

Members of The Iron Blade say they are excited about the collaboration and that the partnership does not only benefit the members of the paper, but also the college, town, and county.

“We give voices to the stories of the community around here,” Bella Eddy, staff writer for the IB said with more than a hint of pride for her team.

The partnership between the two publications came about through a discussion Aila Boyd, editor of the News-Post, had with David Campbell, Iron Blade advisor.

She reached out in the hope of having a student cover a Martin Luther King, Jr. event on campus. Other local media could not attend, and the News-Post needed coverage.

IB Editor Lindsey M. Foster ended up

covering the event, which was EmmyAward winning actor Ron Jones speaking at Vaughan Chapel about MLK. Foster submitted the story to the FNP, and Boyd reached out to Campbell about the potential partnership.

Campbell had recently revamped the journalism minor on campus to include more internship/publishing opportunities.

“It was great timing. We were looking for publishing avenues for the students, and this fell into our proverbial laps. I’m super excited for the opportunities that these students will have,” Campbell said.

Boyd was equally enthusiastic about the opportunities.

“When I graduated college with a media studies degree and started looking for reporter jobs, the biggest thing potential editors asked for were clips,” Boyd said.

“They wanted to read my writing. While they appreciated the fact that I had experience writing for the student newspaper, they also wanted to know if I had written for any outside publications. I think this arrangement will help Ferrum students obtain professional bylines.”

Boyd also said her hope is that the students will benefit from having clips from both publications.

Since that first article, the IB reporters have contributed a half dozen articles to the FNP. “The articles that I have run so far from the Iron Blade have included a Martin Lu-

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By Refentse Maselwa

Wizard of Oz

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The Iron Blade

April 15, 2022

Opinion How Would You React If All Social Media Disappeared?

By Monzelle Campbell and C.J. Hughes

“To be honest, I probably wouldn’t trip. But I’d just be really really bored. It’s not all I do, but it’s--like TikTok--it’s addicting.”

--Chrissy Paz, Junior

“I really wouldn’t care because I don’t stay on social media like that.”

--AJ Covington, Sophomore

“I’d probably have better mental health. I think it has too much power. And I’d go to sleep earlier for sure.”

--Carly Nelson, Senior “I’d be very happy because it would give people a chance to live in the real world.”

--Kevin Nester, Freshman

“I would feel distraught, but I feel like it would be a necessary thing.”

--Dominique Harper, Senior

“It would be kinda weird.

We’d have to figure out different things to do, but it could be a good thing because a lot of non-beneficial stuff happens with social media.”

--Isaak Johnson, Freshman

“Initially, I would be very upset, because I spend a lot of my day on it. But as time goes on, it would be nice and I would adjust to it. It would be beneficial.”

--Seth Deaton, Freshman

“I think it would be better for the world because social media is very toxic, and it’s not good for younger audiences, especially with the way models look nowadays and everything.”

--Anna Corsey, Freshman

Social Media Can Enhance Our Lives Social media has been around since the early 2000s.

What first began with MySpace in 2004 has now developed into many influential media outlets since then.

There are many happenings around the world every day, and to be in the know, the easiest way to find out more information is through social media and the internet.

During the COVID-19 pandemic and shut down, most were at home in quarantine, allowing them to be on social media more.

As people scroll through their feed, they can be on their mobile devices for hours.

While this can be harmful, some of the media that are viewed can be used to inspire people and get them motivated.

Social media can be used as a tool when people may need it most.

It can help them become motivated to become a better version of themselves or encourage them in a certain area.

People can be motivated to live a healthier lifestyle, become more organized, and make the life they picture a reality.

I personally have been inspired by social media platforms to improve my life, whether that be a picture of a clean room, an organization video, or being influenced by a quote I see on my Facebook feed.

If you log into my Pinterest account, you will see a folder/board of inspiration for clothing outfits, organization, fitness inspiration, food prep, and ideas for planning my next traveling adventure.

Throughout social media, there are different niches of content that can motivate people.

Some of these areas can include people who want to live a healthier lifestyle, begin wearing makeup, improve their realtionships with families and friends, receive advice, or live their best lives.

Overall, social media has different communities where people can come together and share their similar interests, while also becoming motivated by others who share that same interest.

“While not typically what we’d associate with social media, forums can also provide a centralized hub for such communities. These hubs allow people to ask questions and share knowledge,” said Luke Nearhood, author of “Social Media: Perspiration & Inspiration”.

There are some content creators who use social media to promote positive well-being toward others.

Creators can encourage people to do several things that can be a positive influence on their lives.

TikTok creator and dietician Steph Grasso uses her social media platforms to help people who want to live healthier lifestyles.

“What really made me want to shift from the clinical to content creating is what I’ve been seeing on social media,” Grasso said.

I have been inspired by social media for the past two years to improve my life as a whole and myself as a person, especially when we were in lockdown.

Now I have a routine that I follow every day, including filling out my weekly planner--that allows me to be the best version of myself.

As one of my favorite content creators Sadie Aldis would say: “Your mind is a magnet.”

While scrolling through social media takes up time, it depends on how you use it.

Social media can be used as a tool to motivate and inspire others to be the best versions of themselves that they may have been wanting to be for the past few years.

Anything we want to know and become is out there--and if we use it wisely, social media can be an extremely important tool for self development.

April 15, 2022 Vol. 67, Issue 5

Ferrum College

Ferrum College 215Mountain FerrumRd.Mountain 215 Ferrum Ferrum, VA 24088 VA 24088 Ferrum, IBlade@Ferrum.edu IBlade@Ferrum.edu

The story that Kayla Anderson wrote about softball player Makayla Fincanon in the March issue of The Iron Blade has been retracted due to the falsification of information in the story.

Much of the information provided in the story was fictitous. Miss Anderson wrote the followng statement: “I would like to recant due to falsified information. The integrity of being a journalist has been diminished. I would like to apologize to Ms. Fincanon, Ferrum College, and The Iron Blade Staff for my mistake; and I apologize for any stress, defamation, or hurt this story may have caused.”--Kayla Anderson The Iron Blade regrets the mistake and will work more diligently in the future to ensure that what is reported and printed is, indeed, factual.

Editor: Lindsey M. Foster Assistant Editor: Marina J. Powell Sports Editor: Cody Gibson Social Media Editor: Refentse Maselwa

Staff: Monzelle Campbell Bella Eddy Charles “C..J.” Hughes Caroline King Anna Rymer

Rd.

Cartoonist: Katrina Anderson Advisor: David B. Campbell

The Ferrum College Iron Blade Newspaper is a student-written, student-managed, and studentproduced newspaper. Opinions do not necessarily express the views of all students or the staff.

Letters may be emailed to IBlade@ferrum.edu.

Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

April 15, 2022

The Iron Blade

Page 3

Is Taking a Foreign Language in College Still Important?

Commentary

By Anna Rymer

While learning a foreign language can help provide students a well-rounded education, is it practical to begin learning a new language in college?

Currently, a majority of higher education institutions in the U.S. require students to take a certain amount of foreign language classes in order to graduate.

However, some wonder, is it time to do away with this requirement?

“Learning another language takes time and dedication; it’s hard, and if you don’t want to do it, you’re probably not going to. Therefore, students who aren’t interested, don’t see it as relevant, or aren’t good at it will probably view the required classes as a waste of time,” said a New York Times article.

Disinterest isn’t the only issue with required foreign language classes. Student loan debt is another major concern for students, with each year observing a steady increase in student debt.

“Currently, student loan debt at graduation is an estimated $31,100,” says Education Data Initiative.

Students shouldn’t have to pay for classes that they don’t plan on actively engaging in. At Ferrum, every student in the Boone Honors Program is required to take a foreign language through the 202 level.

If the student begins at the 101 level, then that amounts to 12 credit hours.

The question is: If a student doesn’t plan on using a foreign language in their future, why should they waste time and rack up debt?

Not only is debt a key drawback, but so is the practicality of starting to learn a foreign language while in college. “(R)esearchers from three Boston-based universities showed children are proficient

at learning a second language up until the age of 18...But the study also showed that it is best to start by age 10 if you want to achieve the grammatical fluency of a native speaker,” says Scientific American.

Studies continually show that the most effective time to start learning a new language is during the brain’s developmental stages. By the time students reach typical college age (18-24) they are past the optimal language learning capacity.

If any of your parents took foreign language courses in college, ask them if they still remember the language. I know mine certainly don’t.

Learning a foreign language can provide many benefits and opportunities for students. But it’s not for everyone.

The facts speak for themselves. It’s time that college institutions seriously consider whether requiring foreign language courses is truly beneficial for the students, or if it’s just adding onto the ever-growing mountain of student loan debt.

Commentary

By Bella Eddy The reason why colleges should require at least one year of a foreign language program is because learning a new language expands the world view. Although learning a new language requires a familiarity to the language with one's own and a bit of time to learn, starting a new language can even help one struggling with English comprehension.

According to the AACLL (American Academy’s Commission on Language Learning), a research study showed that a “second language helps students tackle the nuances and complexities of their first language.” Although the study mentioned was done from 2012-2015 and studied 5th grade students enrolled in dual-immersive language classes until the 8th grade, the study shows that incorporating a second language into a curriculum can have posi-

tive benefits.

College is about getting as much life experience that you possibly can to help further your goals in life. By learning another language in college, although at an older age, this extra skill is valuable and is seen as an asset to big companies. According to the AACLL, several job studies show that from 2012-2015, companies sought more bilingual applicants. The study shows that “one in five job postings from some of New Jersey’s largest employers (including Bank of America, H&R Block, State Farm Insurance Companies, and Crossmark, Inc.) sought bilingual employees.”

By offering a language program, colleges also give students with low credits an opportunity to bring them up without depending on filler classes. A language such as Spanish is easy to learn and has a rich history attached. By crediting language classes higher at a two-credit class, more students will find interest in taking them. Also, offering a wide range of languages such as Japanese, German, or even Farsi (an ancient Persian dialect still spoken today in modern-day Iran) opens a student's mindfulness and tolerance to diverse cultures other than theirs.

Even though college is stressful enough, I believe that even learning the alphabet and grammar of another language is still helpful. By requiring college students to take one year of a foreign language program, students develop better critical thinking skills and also learn vital communication skills. By learning another language, you are also learning a different culture full of customs and history waiting to be understood. Learning another language means more than being bilingual but being multicultural, which is a priceless life affiliation to have.

Daylight Saving Time Has Finally Run Its Course Commentary

By Refentse Maselwa

The above meme gets circulated widely whenever there is a time change.

(Image used under the Fair Use Provision of the U.S. Copyright Code)

Twice each year, once in the fall and once in the spring, most people across the U.S. have to adjust their clocks.

In every state except Hawaii and Arizona, the second Sunday in March marks the start of Daylight Saving Time. Time “springs forward,” stealing away an hour in the early morning.

But what is the point of Daylight Saving? It seems to serve no purpose and it is just confusing.

When searching up the meaning for Daylight Saving, what comes up is that the main purpose of Daylight Saving Time is ‘to make better use of daylight’.

“Only a white man would believe you could cut a foot off the top of the blanket and sew it to the bottom of the blanket, and you’d be left with a longer blanket,” say many memes attributed to an “Old Native American” when told the reason for Daylight Saving Time.

When looking back to the origin of Daylight Saving, it was implemented in the United States nationally on Mar. 31, 1918, as a wartime effort to save an hour’s worth of fuel (gas or oil) each day to light lamps and coal to heat homes.

It was repealed nationwide in 1919, and then maintained by some individual localities (such as New York

City) in what Time Magazine called “a chaos of clocks” until 1966 when the Uniform Time Act made DST consistent nationwide.

This reminds me of “The Lottery”, a short story by Shirley Jackson, that talks about a town that has a lottery held every year. If you win the lottery, you get stoned to death.

These people do not know what the purpose of the lottery is, yet each year everyone participates in the lottery, even though they know the outcome.

Clearly, this shows that just because it’s a tradition, it does not need to be followed if the meaning isn’t known.

Undoubtedly, we see that DST has no benefits in our current day and time. What may have worked back in 1918 serves no purpose in 2022. In fact, changing clocks back and forth seems to have more disadvantages than advantages.

Changing sleep patterns, even by one hour, goes against a person’s natural circadian rhythms and has negative consequences for health.

One study found that the risk of a heart attack increases 10% the Monday and Tuesday following the springtime change.

Besides, coming from someone who has experienced both DST and Standard Time, I see no purpose in moving an hour back or forward.

I grew up knowing that summer days are longer, and winter days are shorter.

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The Iron Blade

April 15, 2022

First ‘Ferrum Promise’ Student to Graduate

Above, Claudia Cooke, senior, (left) and Ashley Patrick, sophomore, take time from a color guard routine for a quick pose.

Above right, the ad that scrolls the college web page to attract students with associate degrees. (Courtesy photos)

By Lindsey M. Foster Editor A program that came to campus a few years ago is coming to fruition.

“The Ferrum Promise” allows students who receive an associate’s degree in arts or sciences from a community college to transfer to Ferrum and graduate with a bachelor’s degree in four semesters/two years if they complete the required courses and hit each benchmark.

The first student to go through the program is senior Claudia Cooke, who will walk the stage for her bachelor’s this spring.

Cooke received her associate’s in General Studies with a specialization in Human Services from Patrick Henry Community College in December of 2019.

In August of 2020, Cooke enrolled and transferred here and is getting a Bachelor of Social Work degree with a major in Social Work.

“I am very surprised to know that I was the first one to go through this program,” Cooke said.

Throughout her time at Ferrum, Cooke has participated in the Ferrum College Marching Band (color guard) her junior and senior year and was also part of the National

Honor Society of Leadership and Success.

Moreover, she was also inducted into the Social Work Honor Society (Tau Rho Ferrum Chapter) in April of 2021.

“I am excited that she’s the first, but I hope that she is the first of many,” said Jason Powell, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, said.

The Ferrum Promise program is the brainchild of college President David Johns and previous Provost Aimé Sposato.

The two introduced the program to campus in November of 2019.

“I’d say there are about a dozen (students) in agreements (with the promise) right now,” Powell said.

If the student does not complete their bachelor’s in those two years after transferring, the rest of their tuition is free.

“The ‘Ferrum Promise’ applies to all students who are enrolled full-time and meet certain academic requirements,” the college website says.

The Ferrum Promise program was created to prevent students (nearly 40 percent) from spending extra years to receive a bachelor’s degree due to their credits from their community college not adequately transferring.

Rising Gas Prices Crunch Students

By Monzelle Campbell The gas prices started to spike in February due to multiple factors, including geopolitical tensions, shortages, and inflation.

Rising gas prices are hitting some harder than others, and one group that it is affecting is college students.

To most commuting college students, attending is just like working a full-time job; it is something they must do.

“I can’t make a choice whether to stay home.

I must go to class in order to graduate,” said Conner Wilson, who is a a student commuting to classes here.

The commuters are not the only ones who it af-

fects, either.

“Even though I do not have to commute every day, a trip to visit home could be pretty costly,” said freshman Kenneth Lokie.

They both said they are fortunate to have parents that help them get by, but the leveling of gas prices would help all the way around.

“I have just had to make adjustments and only do what is important,” said Wilson. “I just have to remain focused and remember the goal that I’m reaching for.”

The average price for gas in Ferrum right now is $3.95 compared to the national average of $4.11. This is up almost a dollar more than just a month ago.

And at one point, gas was above $4/gallon in Ferrum.

“It takes almost $60 to fill my car up, and last month, I could fill it up for around $45. That is a big difference,” said Lokie.

Some have voiced that the rising gas prices make them feel just like they felt during the pandemic and the lockdown.

“I feel like I cannot go places whenever I want to. I must consider my wallet just like I had to consider my health during the pandemic,” said Kenan Silas, freshman.

Let’s face it. Even though gas prices are rising, and people are complaining, gas is a necessity, so people will still continue to buy it.

“This is not what they (transfers) expected, and it’s frustrating, time-consuming, and expensive,” Eric Grundman, Ferrum College’s Senior Enrollment Advisor, said.

Students at commuClaudia Cooke nity colleges find out about the program mainly through their academic advisors.

To make this happen, Ferrum has partnered with twoyear institutions to make education more affordable and accessible for students.

“Our strongest partner in this is Virginia Western Community College,” Powell said.

There are many majors that go through the program, but some of the main disciplines are Agricultural Sciences, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, EcoTourism, Environmental Science, Recreational Leadership, and Social Work.

Other programs may also be eligible to go through the program, pending administrative approval.

Students Participate in Awareness Week

By Anna Rymer

Students at Ferrum participated in Sexual Assualt Awareness week from March 21-26, which included listening to a guest speaker from SARA Roanoke (Sexual Assault Reponse and Awareness), and viewing a movie that raised awareness about sexual assault on college campuses.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, so members of the Help Save The Next Girl club organized events to kick off the month and heighten awareness among students.

On March 21, students gathered in Garber Hall to listen to guest speaker Dina Hackley-Hunt from SARA Roanoke, who gave a presentation on sexual assault and advised how to report assault and help those who have been assaulted.

Savanna Walker, a freshman from Carolton, GA, was one among many students in attendance for Hackley-Hunt’s presentation.

“I enjoyed the presentation because she knew how to keep us engaged and, she didn’t let the subject of sexual assault make us feel uncomfortable,” Walker said.

Hackley-Hunt shared her extensive knowledge of sexual assault on college campuses, educating everyone in the room

about a topic that can be difficult for many to discuss.

“I think it’s important for students to learn about this because it keeps you aware, and you know how to handle the situation and who to talk to if it were to ever happen to you or someone else,” Walker said.

The Take Back The Night Walk, scheduled for March 23, was rained out and couldn’t be rescheduled, but club members say that didn’t dampen the spirit and hope to hold the walk next fall.

Later on in the week, Help Save The Next Girl showed a movie in the Panther’s Den concerning sexual assault on college campuses, called The Hunting Ground.

The movie focused on a few major universities around the U.S., such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Harvard, and Florida State University.

Women from these universities were sexually assaulted, and there was little to no disciplinary action done to their perpetrators by the university administrations.

The Hunting Ground showed how prevalent sexual assault is on college campuses and raised awareness for students here about how to protect themselves, advocate for themselves, and advocate for other victims.

April 15, 2022

The Iron Blade

Page 5

DEA Agent Gives Talk About Opioids

By Bella Eddy The anticipated Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) presentation to bring more awareness to the opioid and fentanyl epidemic was held on March 28.

The one-hour event was given by Supervisory Special Agent Joseph E. Carucci in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room of upper Franklin Hall.

Carucci is the Resident Agent in charge of the Roanoke district office for the DEA. Special Agent Carucci has 25 years of law enforcement experience, with his biggest bust being a 2.5 metric ton seizure of cocaine in Romania.

The measure was so large that a simplified visualization of the amount was needed for the audience to comprehend how much that really was.

“If I were to take the cocaine and pile it up like a big, giant pyramid, it would probably go from floor to ceiling, and it would come out from the wall to about where the first row of chairs is, which is about 2,500 bricks,” stated Carucci.

Ferrum’s push to spread awareness about fentanyl-laced drugs and drug abuse

seemed to resonate with members of the crowd in attendance.

Many of them knew someone who had a dependence on prescriptions and medications.

The reach of addiction and drug abuse was something that many had known, whether it be personal or by acquaintance.

“The main thing is knowing how some of the movies we do watch, we just got the real effect of it, and that it is happening in our backyards. Also, I definitely have had friends and close friends who are athletes who have struggled with this kind of thing,” Kendall Ware, senior, remarked.

Chief of Campus Police, James Owens, with the help of his wife, Allyson Owens, put the event together to spread more awareness and information about the opioid crisis happening locally.

Carucci spoke about topics such as how the DEA handles cases involving narcotics, how to see the signs of an addiction, and how big of an impact the epidemic has on the Southwest region of Virginia.

“The point is as you’re taking it (medication) you always want to be cognizant of the possibility of, ‘I am taking an

DEA Special Agent Joseph Carucci addresses the audience about the opioid and fentanyl epidemic. (Photo by Bella Eddy) opioid, and I know this is potentially habit forming. So I am going to limit my usage of this drug, and I am going to use it when I only absolutely need to,’” Carucci said.

His fight against trafficked drugs such as fentanyl, cocaine, and OxyContin (a highly addictive pain medication) is both personal and occupational.

In a sit-down interview, Carucci spoke of personal friends and family who had

struggled with addiction to pain medicine and how that pushed him to do more in his work as a DEA agent.

“My mission is to help people. And I have always thought if I can help just one person, then everything that I have been through, that I have done, everything would have been worth it, and my life would have been worth it,” Carucci concluded.

College Adds Two Graduate Programs

By Caroline King Picture this: You are finishing up your senior spring semester at your favorite institution. As you reminisce about your past academic career, bittersweet memories fill your mind. When you snap back to reality, you long to find a way to stay.

Maybe you could turn your minor into a major. Or perhaps, maybe you could come back another year for a second minor.

Whatever it takes to hang on for another year or two.

Well, an answer may be earning a mastger’s degree here.

This semester, the college added two new master’s programs.

“The programs will only take about a year to complete,” said Associate Professor of Education, Christine Christianson.

The two new programs will give students the option to either obtain their master’s in education or athletic coaching. These two programs now accompany the college’s previous master’s programs (psychology and leadership/coaching).

“I think that it is a great opportunity to be able to get your master's degree in only a year,” says secondary education major, Kacey Whorley, junior.

Both programs are completely online.

This is to ensure that all accepted graduate students will be able to work in their prospective fields and apply what they learn in the classroom to real-life scenarios.

Along with the leisure of completing the programs online, the costs are also fairly laid out.

“I would say that to complete the program, it would cost about $14,000 in total,” noted Christianson.

For each program, the cost is $475 per credit hour. There is also a $250 deposit

that is later added toward the student’s tuition. To round out the expenses, there is a $75 technology fee and a $50 application fee.

With the layout of costs, each program has its own web page that lists specific admissions requirements.

For the curriculum and instruction program, the applying students must have a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field with a minimum of a 3.0 overall GPA in their undergraduate studies.

The applying student must also include unofficial transcripts, a current resume, contact information for three professional or academic references, and a statement of professional goals.

This program requires a total of 30 credit hours.

To conclude the web page, prospective students will find a list of educators who will be teaching different classes throughout the program.

“I don’t really know if I plan on pursuing a master’s program here at Ferrum, but I think that it is good that everything you need to know is advertised,” says secondary education major, Braden Homsey, senior.

Admission requirements for the master’s in athletic coaching is a little different.

The applying student must still have a bachelor’s degree in the related field; however, the student only needs a 2.7 overall GPA. Also, instead of a statement of professional goals, the applying student must submit a 1,000 word essay. The essay describes how their experiences have prepared them for a graduate program in athletic coaching. Students also submit their intended goals based on a successful completion of the program.

This program also totals 30 credit hours and lists faculty that will teach the courses within the program.

“The programs will only take about a year to complete...it would cost about $14,000 in total.”

--Christine Christianson, Associate Professor of Teacher Education

Above, Program Assistant Jennifer Whitlow, left, talks with Braden Homsey and Kacey Whorley about possible post-graduate avenues.

(Photo by Caroline King)

Page 6

The Iron Blade

April 15, 2022

SPORTS

From the Outfield to the Medical Field Senior outfielder heading to LSU Medical School

Dexter Sebastian, senior, crosses the plate, left, and readies to bat, above. Sebastian will be attending medical school at LSU afer he graduates this spring. (Photos courtesy of the Athletic Department)

By Cody Gibson Sports Editor Senior baseball player Dexter Sebastian is going from a Ferrum Panther to an LSU Tiger to pursue his dream in the medical field as a physical therapist.

“Sebastian is a fantastic young man who is highly motivated and very driven to accomplish the goals he has set for himself,” Coach Ryan Brittle remarked.

Sebastian has maintained a 4.0 GPA even while being a student-athlete.

“I am not at all surprised to see him graduate at the top of his class and do it in three years! As he moves on to LSU New Orleans Medical School after this semester, I am sure he will continue to excel and become a great physical therapist,” Brittle added.

Teammates say Sebastian is a team player who is always putting the team before himself.

“He is the quiet type, but his example speaks for itself. He is always willing to help, especially the younger guys,” Brittle said, “When Sebastian is not patrolling center field, he is helping his replacement with positioning and reading situations to teach them the nuances of playing defense at the college level.”

Sebastian arrived at Ferrum with 36 credits as a freshmen, which covered some of his general education courses.

“Most of the classes I was taking as a freshman were at a sophomore level. At this point in my college career, however, I feel that I have developed my work ethic in a way that makes my classwork more manageable while in season. Maintaining the grades is still a

hassle at times, though,” Sebastian explained. “(But) I would say as long as the work ethic and dedication are there, maintaining grades and continuing college athletics can be a lighter task than it may seem.”

The decision to be a med student is a somewhat recent one. In middle school, he ended up fracturing his elbow playing baseball and had to go through physical therapy in order to get back in playing condition.

“That experience was not enough to make me want to pursue physical therapy, but I did want to pursue an education in the health field because of it. By the time I was applying for undergrad, I still didn't really know what I wanted to do, but... I enjoyed the physical therapy experience,” Sebastian said.

He decided to pursue the pre-med major because it offered a wider range of fields he could potentially follow.

In the winter of his sophomore year of college, he had minimized the fields.

“I wanted to pursue orthopedics and physical therapy, so I began shadowing those occupations to grasp what the field is like in action. After experiencing both, I decided on physical therapy and began all the processes for grad school from there.”

There were a few factors that were in his mind when determining to which school he wanted to apply.

“I applied to two schools in Virginia (Emory and Henry, and Lynchburg) and one in North Carolina (Elon) because I’ve grown to love this region of the country and the people I have met here.”

Still, the lure of New Orleans and LSU won out in the end.

No. 1 Singles Player Hails from Sweden

Above, No. 1 singles tennis player Viktor Johanssen, freshman, winds up for a forehand shot. (Photo courtesy of the Athletic Department)

By Cody Gibson Sports Editor Tennis is a sport that is played internationally, and it is very popular in certain parts of the world. Tennis can be a solo or team sport. In a singles match you play by yourself, while in doubles you have the support of a teammate.

This year, Ferrum has a new player from Sweden, Viktor Johanssen. He is currently the #1 singles player on the team, which can be stressful.

“There is a bit of pressure. I know things are expected of me, and I try to do

as much as I can for the team, especially knowing that winning the #1 singles in a team match contributes to a lot of momentum for the team and can be key in the deciding outcome,” he explained.

He plays doubles with his partner and roommate, Tom Doherty, freshman, who is from Ireland. Johanssen, himself, hails from Sweden.

“I originally lived in northern Sweden but moved to the capital of Stockholm when I was five. I live about 10 minutes from the ‘big city’ with my dad and siblings,” he said.

Johanssen went on to talk about Swe-

den.

“It's very liberal and diverse. A lot of different groups of people live in the capital, which makes it a very unique place, from the shops to the culture,” he said.

Being away from home can be hard sometimes, especially if home is overseas.

“I miss my friends and family but also simple stuff like having Swedish food and hanging out at the bar after a long day.

We have different regulations to nightlife in Sweden, and I feel like I am more of a ‘minor’ here and that I can't do that kind of stuff,” he explained.

Johanssen began playing tennis at age six, and it wasn’t always his favorite sport.

“My parents put me up to it when I was very young, I used to dislike it for a very long time until I realized how much it meant to me when I was older. I did not realize this until I was about 16 years old, and that is when I started taking tennis seriously,” he said.

However, tennis is not the same in Sweden as it is in America.

“A big difference between the US and Sweden is that we do not really have high school sports. I did, however, play for a tennis club close to my home in Sweden, where I played a few matches in the Men's Swedish National League where I played #3 singles. The competition was also very tough back in my home country, where I usually had to face off against ranked adults when I was only 18,” Johanssen recalled.

A lot of athletes have an idol who they look to for inspiration. For Johanssen, it’s Roger Federer because of his effortless style and mindset on and off the court.

Johanssen decided to come to Ferrum after talking to the coach through a sports recruitment program.

“I used a sports agency, and they used my recruiting video and sent it to a lot of universities and colleges. I had contact with a lot of coaches, but I ultimately decided to come here because I felt like I clicked with the coach,” he said.

He enjoys Ferrum because of the new experiences he gets to have.

“I like it here. It is very different from what I grew up with, which makes it a unique experience for me. I'd rather go and live in a completely different way than back home and return with new experiences and perspectives,” he said.

Obviously, when you go somewhere there are different social cultures that you may have to learn. So, for Johanssen, there have been a lot of challenges and new adjustments.

“A funny example for me is when people say ‘bless you’ instinctively when someone sneezes--we just don't say anything back in Sweden,” said Johanssen.

The hardest challenge Johanssen has had to face is adjusting to life on a team and the different competition levels.

“The toughest thing for me has been to adapt and become more of a team player instead of just worrying about myself on the court. I was never a part of a team before I came here, and I only played singles and rarely doubles. Furthermore, playing #1 singles, I often face really good players who have a lot more college tennis experience than I,” he says.

Off the court, Johanssen is studying business administration.

“I want to build more of an entrepreneurial career in the future. I have multiple ideas, such as creating a record label with my friends, starting my own company, or starting a tennis academy,” he said.

April 15, 2022

The Iron Blade

Page 7

Football coach hopes to create networks of support

By Monzelle Campbell and C.J. Hughes A team standing strong with all players or participants on the same accord can be scary to face, but a school where all teams are on the same accord would be a nightmare for opposing teams.

College athletics bring many student athletes together to form bonds that will withstand any physical or figurative force coming against them.

Imagine how strong that bond can be when it is shared throughout all of the sports teams.

This is what Head Football Coach Cleive Adams is working to create here.

Adams has taken over SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee) and is bringing together leaders from all sports to unify the college’s athletic community.

For the football team specifically, the team is split up into separate groups, and players can receive points toward their team by attending other team’s sports events and sending in pictures.

At the end, the team with the most points wins a prize. The prizes consist of Ferrum gear like shirts, shorts, jackets, or even hats and toboggans.

“I want to empower the student athlete,” said Adams.

He wants the student athletes on campus to have a voice and support each other.

The football team got a head start on this by helping the softball team take down the defending national champions.

It was a surreal scene March 26 as they took on Virginia Wesleyan, the DIII defending national champions.

Scores of players from the football team rolled in to support the Lady Panthers and brought, as they all love to say, the

“juice”.

After their major win, the softball players said they were super grateful for the energy the football team brought to the game.

Pitcher and infielder Lyndsey Sears, junior, spoke on how the students aided them in their win.

“We felt like we had people behind us,” said Sears. “Even when we didn’t want to necessarily be upbeat in the game as much, we had the football players keeping us in the game and energized.”

Senior outfielder Arielle Eure agreed.

“It was a high energy atmosphere, so it made us play better,” said Eure.

Genesis Pineiro, junior, and a member of SAAC and the cross country and track teams, said that Adams has helped improve the program since his take over.

“The first two years we did not do much because we did not know what SAAC was for, so having an advisor is helping us build something for the first time,” said Pineiro.

Pineiro added that she is impressed with how SAAC is bringing the teams closer together.

“The teams are starting to get to know each other; it’s coming together like a family,” she said.

The family aspect is another thing Adams looks to improve through athletics.

Adams and the players believe this is just a small glimpse of how great athletics can be as a unit here if team members all buy in and become one and support one another. And it’s not just sports.

“Guys can receive leadership points for attending plays, student-activities functions, extra academic activities, tutoring sessions, just about everything extra, they are recognized for it,” Adams said.

At top left, members of the football team celebrate with the softball team after a win. At top right, from left, Zach Smiley, freshman; Noah Smiley, freshman; Connor Sides, junior; and Kenneth Lokie, freshman, take their selfie at a volleyball game to earn points. Directly above, football players support the volleyball team. (Courtesy photos)

The Whole ‘FAM’ Damily

Coaches, professors kick off mentor program Compiled by Staff In what coaches, professors, and administrators hope will be a program that bolsters student-athlete success here, the FAM program kicked off March 28 with a lunch and introduction to the program in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room.

FAM is short for Faculty-Athletic Mentor and is designed to bridge the gap between the faculty and athletics communities.

“The goal is to have a faculty member assigned to every sports team to act as an advocate for student athletes,” said Head Football Coach Cleive Adams.

Adams has designed the program with the help of Katie Goff, Faculty Council Chair.

“I think the FAM is a great idea because athletics are such a huge part of our student lives, and we need to partner with athletics to combine our efforts together toward student success,” Goff said. “Without this program, we’re duplicating some efforts, and there’s also not as great communication as I think this program will facilitate, and communication between coaches and faculty can be nothing but productive for our student-athletes’ development.”

Business Professor Andy Shome is one of the faculty who signed on to the program.

“I think if there was a mentor in my teenage years, helping me find a path that was more suitable for me, instead

of telling me how limited my skills were, I could have done much better,” said Shome, “I would like to help my students find a fit between their skills and the market demand, instead of judging them.”

That type of involvement is exactly what Adams is after.

“In my history on any college campus I’ve been associated with, community has always been important,” Adams said. “Obviously, Ferrum being my alma mater, it’s even more important and personal to me. As we progress through the COVID era, I believe it is absolutely critical that we as a community don’t drag our feet to get things back to normal and create that personal touch that Ferrum was built on.”

Adams went on to say that thus far, 23 faculty have signed on for the program, and all teams have at least one FAM member.

“The success of this program will be our ability to keep the program fresh on everyone’s minds,” he said. “Shared responsibility between the head coaches and the FAM representative is critical.”

Adams is optimistic for its success.

“My philosophy from Day 1 has been to celebrate who we are and help brand our community in a way that everyone is proud and excited about their connection with this institution,” he said. “By pulling our campus together and working together, we can all begin to speak the same language.”

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The Iron Blade

April 15, 2022

Entertainment

What a Wonderful Wiz it Was Theatre Department rallies community for production

Above at left, Dominique Harper, senior, plays Dorothy in the Theatre Department’s production of The Wizard of Oz. Above right, Don Vineyard plays the role of the Cowardly Lion. (Courtesy photos) Review

By Marina J. Powell Assistant Editor The Theatre Department returned a couple weekends ago with a smashing hit—The Wizard of Oz. Directed by Emily Blankenship-Tucker, the show ran for three consecutive days, and was hugely attended.

Cast and crew involved students, faculty, and a crew of children from Ferrum Elementary School who played the enthusiastic Munchkins.

“We've been working on the play since the beginning of the semester. Actors auditioned for roles in the play, and we all began to get familiar with the story, the characters, and

the songs,” said Blankenship-Tucker. “For this production…we chose the space, imagined how the play might be performed there, and started working in it to learn the specific characteristics of the place, and how they might inform the way we tell the story,” Blankenship-Tucker explained.

The actors said they enjoyed the production and putting in the hard work to make it happen.

Don Vineyard, community member and Ferrum Forward Chair, also played the Cowardly Lion and talked about his favorite parts of the show.

“Just the reaction of the kids especially. The Munchkins are having so much fun with it. (It’s) a

lot of memorization, a lot of rehearsals. We’ve had to make a lot of changes…

But that’s what theatre is.

It’s just adapting. I always call it organized chaos,” he related.

And no story would be complete without a villain—in this case, played

by Kristina Cossa, junior.

“I love being able to step into the shoes of my character and have fun with it,” she said, “I also loved my costume and getting to use my cackle…Overall I think The Wizard of Oz was the best play we’ve done in a while. It’s a classic; everyone did so well, the kids were adorable, and we had a huge crowd.”

Blankenship-Tucker saw the production as way of working together to con-

nect with the audience, display hard work and skills, and provide quality entertainment.

“This production is a celebration of community, and it showcases the talents of many people, both on and off campus. I hope that the audience finds as much joy as we have in this production.”

She also said she hopes they made the audience laugh, tap their toes, and sing along.

“I hope that they feel a bit thrilled when they experience the cyclone swirling around them and when the wizard appears.

I hope they leave feeling uplifted after an afternoon of theatre in the middle of campus,” she said.

In a play, it is hard not to

have a favorite part, especially for the cast memebers, but for the Dorothy character, played by Dominique Harper, senior, the show was amazing in every way.

“The cast is so amazing, and just working on this has been a tremendous experience,” she said.

The show was supposed to be outdoors between Admissions and Garber, but due to high winds, two of the three performances were relocated to the basement of the theater.

The change required a lot of flexibility from the crew and the actors.

“We made a last-minute decision to move into the ‘Flex’ theater in Schoolfield Hall. I think that quick transition, which required everyone to think on their feet, gave the production an energy and spirit of cooperative problem-solving that further added to the thrill of the experience,” said Blankenship-Tucker.

The show included several large props, including the walls of the Emerald City and an enormous

green wizard puppet carried by the crew during the show.

Background music included guitar, keys, and banjo, as well as accompanying singers.

The amount of teamwork that went on throughout the show was amazing.

Cast and crew members collaborated on positioning props.

Ferrum Forward pitched in to provide homemade refreshments during intermission.

And the production brought in not only Ferrum students, but community members and local elementary students. It was truly a team effort.

“I believe that this spirit of community, through creative and resourceful problem-solving and shared joy, exemplifies what makes Ferrum (both the community and the college) a special place,” Blankenship-Tucker explained. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to work on this production. It was a memorable production for me, and I look forward to many more.”

Coffeehouse Returns to Panther’s Den

By Marina J. Powell Assistant Editor

Stewart Werner, freshman, performs at the most recent coffeehouse. (Photo by Marina Powell)

The Chrysalis has returned with the final open mic night coffeehouse of the spring semester.

After the event’s success earlier in the semester, the staff of the literary and arts magazine scheduled another, with even better results this time, say event organizers.

“I was happy to see how many people were there. I think it was more than last time, which is really exciting. I hope that the next time we do one, there will be even more, because artists at the school definitely deserve attention and support,” said Abigail McGovern, chief editor of the Chrysalis.

McGovern announced each performance and introduced the performers, a new experience for her.

“I felt more connected to the artists and the performances than I did when I was just watching,” she explained.

Justin Muse, Director of Student Activities, helped coordinate the event and talked about the positive influence of the open mic nights and his optimism for

the future.

“I think this is a great opportunity to get students out to enjoy and support other students,” he said.

“This Open Mic Coffeehouse also gives students, faculty, and staff a platform to express themselves creatively through the art of poetry, music, comedic expression, etc. whatever it may be.”

He was also happy to be part of witnessing the revival of the Chrysalis magazine.

“I am so glad to be working with the Chrysalis staff to have this event. In the past, the Coffee Houses have been widely successful and entertaining. I am glad to be able to help bring that success back,” he said.

Acts ranged from musical performances to poetry readings. One notable moment was Professor Lana Whited’s reading of her original poem, “Crocus”, written in memory of a tragic death.

Shela Muriel, senior and a performer at both events, described her personal take and overall experience.

“The fact that people kept wanting to go up onto stage was great. There was a lot of great energy there,” she said.