Message from Vice President for Institutional Advancement Wilson Paine

Dear Ferrum Family,

“Ferrum is special.” It’s a phrase I hear often when speaking with our alumni and benefactors, and I usually respond by evoking my five year-old son’s favorite word, “why?” Why is Ferrum so special? The answer, of course, is a simple one: It’s the People. For it is the people at Ferrum College who truly make up the heart and soul of our school. When you reflect on your own Ferrum experience, there is likely a faculty, staff, coach or administrator who comes to mind. Individuals like Ms. Loretta, Dave Newcombe, Bob Pohlad and Carolyn Thomas, and countless others who for decades dedicated their lives towards making sure the thousands of Ferrum students with whom they interacted felt welcomed, supported, and loved.

The “It’s the People” initiative guided the Institutional Advancement team throughout most of this past year and brought with it a renewed hope and optimism to the Ferrum campus. From a record-breaking fundraising year to the return of events like Homecoming and Folklife Festival, there was an energy on campus and within our community that was absent for much of 2020.

That energy carried over into our fundraising as well. Despite the ongoing disruptions of COVID-19, we increased overall fundraising from $1,925,636 in 2020 to $2,590,331 in 2021 for a 30% increase. We also achieved a 50% increase in scholarship gifts, welcomed over 350 first-time donors, and raised an additional $1,000,000 to the College’s endowment.

These accomplishments can be attributed to the hard work and tireless commitment of the entire Institutional Advancement team, our campus partners, and most importantly, to you.

Your engagement and support, financial or otherwise, helps contribute to the greatness of being part of the Ferrum community. And if this past year has taught us anything, it is that community matters. Community, and the connectedness that it provides, is the tie that binds us during good times and challenging times.

I am thankful to be part of the Ferrum community with you, and I look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events in 2022.

With Panther Pride,

Wilson Paine ’07 Vice President for Institutional Advancement