104th Ferrum College Commencement Held Virtually

On Saturday, May 9, 2020, a day usually filled with activity, excitement, and crowds of family and friends, the Ferrum College campus was brilliantly sunny, chilly, and quiet. At 10 a.m., the College began its 104th commencement ceremony during which 199 seniors from 14 different states were honored during a ceremony that was streamed online. The College was forced to postpone its traditional inperson graduation event due to COVID-19.

Although the delivery was different, the commencement exercises remained generally the same. The program began with a slideshow of the graduates, and President David Johns and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Aimé Sposato continued the tradition of ringing the Schoolfield Hall bell on campus to signify the start of the ceremony.

Johns offered a greeting, telling the graduates, “Against all odds, and in the face of enormous challenges, Class of 2020, you made it! We all know, now more than ever, that great achievement comes from teamwork. It requires a group effort. Graduates, in addition to your own hard work and determination, the love and support that you’ve received from your family and friends helped to bring you to this moment.”

Sposato recognized nine distinguished faculty members with 212 years of combined service in teaching at the College: Director of Technical Services in Library Sciences Peggy Barker; Professor of Economics Rathin Basu; Assistant Professor of English Karen Duddy; Professor of English John Kitterman; Associate Professor of English Melvin Macklin; Assistant Professor of Marketing Michele “Micky” Naff; Associate Professor of Accounting and Business Christine Stinson; Associate Professor of Social Work Jennie West; and Assistant Professor of Sociology Peg Wimmer.

The rank of Faculty Emeritus was bestowed upon the following retirees: Professor of Philosophy Gary Angel; Professor of Theatre Arts Harold Wayne Bowman; Professor of English John Bruton; Professor of Biology and Horticulture Bob Pohlad; Associate Professor of History C. Milton Rowan; Professor of Biology and Environmental Science Carolyn Thomas (awarded posthumously); Professor of History Mike Trochim; and Professor of Business Demetri Tsanacas.

Jennie West, who retired this year after 25 years of teaching at Ferrum College, received the Exemplary Faculty Award. This award recognizes a full-time faculty member at the College who exemplifies excellence and commitment to teaching. West was described by her colleagues as one who “always leads by example, educates future professionals, challenges them, and opens their perspectives to different world views to make them more

observant, knowledgeable, open-minded individuals as they grow and learn through their journey and education at Ferrum College.”

Christopher Michael Stone ’20 of Ferrum, VA received the Senior Academic Excellence Award. This award is based on grades earned in all college courses by a full-time student, including those taken at Ferrum, as well as those received in transfer from other colleges or universities. Stone maintained a 4.0 GPA and earned a Bachelor of Science in liberal studies.

Layura Henley ’20 from Wytheville, VA, received the Arthur S. Owens Leadership Award, which is presented annually to the senior chosen by the faculty who best exemplifies the qualities of leadership, initiative, honor, and outstanding character. Recipients of this award must also hold an excellent academic record, have participated in extracurricular activities, and shown creative initiative in making Ferrum College a better place to study, work, and live. Henley triple majored, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in pre-professional health studies, biology, and health sciences.

The keynote address was brought by retired Professor Emeritus of Biology and Horticulture Bob Pohlad. He spoke about the unique graduation ceremonies he and his late wife, Carolyn Thomas, had attended over their 41 years as professors at Ferrum College but acknowledged that none of those commencements had ever been as unique as this year. “You are the virtual commencement class of 2020! Embrace it! You will always be remembered for it. It may even be a key to your next job,” he said. “We all must embrace the opportunities and experiences that we have had with each other. They make us who we are. We are Ferrum Strong and we adapt.”

Senior Class President Caitlin Hodges ’20 told the graduates that “each of you has a niche in the world, and it’s unlike any other person’s niche and it suits you perfectly.” Hodges ended her speech by telling the graduates that “Panthers don’t settle, and we do not take the path of least resistance. So go on, go out into the world and make it one you want to live in.”

After the conferring and awarding of degrees, the Panther Band performed the College’s Alma Mater.

The ceremony closed with eight celebrity guest appearances by actor Ty Burrell of the television show Modern Family; comedian Joel McHale of The Soup, Community, and Card Sharks; author David Baldacci; Ferrum College alumnus, actor, writer, and producer Mike McColl ’93; actor Graham Phillips of Riverdale and The Good Wife; actor Jamie McShane of Sons of Anarchy, Murder in the First, and Bloodline; comedian Keegan Michael Key; and actor Connor Trinneer of Star Trek Enterprise.