ALUMNI
Ferrum Alumni Say It All! “Panther Pride” not only refers to our pride in Ferrum College but also to our pride in the dedication and initiative in our community—of our students, faculty, staff and alumni! We’re proud of the great successes achieved by our students and how their journeys from Ferrum College have led them to be caring and concerned citizens of their community, nation and world. They embrace our motto, “Not Self, But Others,” and their passion inspires us and those around them!
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Alumnus Works to Ensure that ENACTUS Is Sustained
J
eff Davoud ’97 was a high school senior considering his various college options when he received a phone call from a Ferrum admissions counselor, enticing him to make a personal visit to the campus. Not sure what he might find as he made his way off of Route 40 and onto Wiley Drive and then looped around Adams Lake, Jeff was surprised when he felt an immediate connection to the College. It just felt right. Thankfully, his college choice became clear, and his decision obvious. Jeff chose to be a Ferrum College Panther, and, as they say, he’s never looked back! During his junior year, Jeff was in Dr. Demetri Tsanacas’ investment class and joined Students in Free Enterprise (now called ENACTUS—Entrepreneurial Action Us). As a SIFE member, he competed with his team in both regional and national events and had the opportunity to meet business leaders with global recognition. He now credits the program with helping him develop and grow as both a person and a business leader and says it further strengthened his foundation as an entrepreneur. Jeff is currently president of Old Dominion Insulation, Inc. Founded in 1981, Old Dominion Insulation is one of the leading contractors for commercial, industrial and refrigeration insulation in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. He also serves as owner/managing partner at Old Dominion Abatement and Demolition and owner/managing partner at Old Dominion Firestopping. In his roles, Jeff is committed to mentoring and training the future leaders of his field. Recognizing and developing talent, as Dr. Tsanacas’ classroom lectures suggested, is a key to long-term business success.
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Jeff has been instrumental in the effort to build an ENACTUS endowment fund for the College. Once endowed, the fund will FERRUM MAGAZINE | ANNUAL ISSUE 2014–2015
finance the travel and projects of Ferrum’s ENACTUS teams. It will also ensure the ENACTUS program will be sustained at Ferrum College in the future. He is passionate about supporting charities and organizations that make a positive impact on the lives of others. Closest to his heart are programs that assist veterans, children with cancer and seniors. As chairman of the Chesterfield Senior Center, Jeff is heavily involved in advocating for the members of the center in their effort to lobby and seek funds for a permanent facility. Some of Jeff’s other passions include support of the Swing for Sight Golf Tournament, the Challenge America Golf Tournament for Wounded Warriors, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Rotary Club, and the Assistance Support and Kindness Foundation at MCV, which provides direct support annually to 1,000 children with cancer in central Virginia. Jeff is currently the chairman of the board for the Virginia chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., and he is also a member of the Southeastern Insulation Contractors Association, National Insulation Association and Firestop Contractors International Organization.
Jeff credits his wife, Ferrum alumna Kelly Seal Davoud ’98, and his two sons, Kaleb and Kelan, with keeping him grounded and focused on what’s really important in life. While Jeff is managing the efforts of 500 employees at work, no one is doing more important work than his wife, who is taking charge of raising two beautiful children and helping them develop the same sense of responsibility, value system and commitment to being the best people they can be that Jeff developed here at Ferrum more than 20 years ago. Jeff urges people to “Work hard, be positive and find ways to be an asset to a company. Stay humble. Get involved. Commit yourself to excellence. Give something back. Acknowledge the contributions of others. Be a difference maker. Oh, and as we say here at Ferrum College, be a lifelong learner!” n