December 6, 2018 Vol. 63, Issue 4
IBlade@Ferrum.edu
Ferrum College
215 Ferrum Mountain Rd., Ferrum, VA 24088
Former White House Press Secretary Visits Ferrum By AnnGardener Eubank Students, faculty, and members of the Ferrum community gathered in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room on Nov. 14 to listen to and speak with former White House Press Secretary and current professor of public theology at Wesley Seminary in Washington D.C., Mike McCurry. McCurry discussed how theology and politics intertwine with one another, the press and journalism, and his stance on the current state of our government and politics. Following a powerful performance by Ferrum’s own gospel choir, President Dr. Johns welcomed the guests and McCurry, stating how excited he and the community were to have him on campus. Dean of the school of arts and humanities, Dr. David Howell, then took over and formally introduced McCurry. Howell began the town-hall like gathering by asking some questions involving McCurry’s perspective and expertise on the political climate in America. “We’re in a broken time in our political world,” McCurry said. He discussed how he got into politics, his role in the Clinton administration, and how he sees the United
segwaying into a discusStates in a current state golden rule and how it is polarization can occur at sion on the press and the of distress, and how there ultimately tearing the nation Thanksgiving and other media have been chalneeds to be more humania part. He talked about how holiday events, so keeping lenged and criticized by tarianism in Washington polarization and blatant in mind the importance of the President and his party. and beyond. discrimination and prejuunderstanding someone’s “The roots are dysfunc“While we have the dices can be mended first opinion and having a tion,” McCurry said. separation of church and at home and with people, strong sense of where they The discussion turned state, and for good reason, we speak with regularly, are coming from can lead the media and we do have religion “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but towards the press and how the and faith woven into us not their own facts, and we need more facts.” current political climate as citizens,” McCurry has shifted much of said. -Mike McCurry what the stanMcCurry shared dards of jourhow he sees that nalism is over the values of the course of religion and faith Trump’s presiare so woven into dency. us as citizens, that While Donit’s important that ald Trump has those same values openly criticized are apparent in our the media and nation’s politics, has even declared as well. He shared war on the press, that in his line McCurry shared of work teaching his insight on public theology, how the media he believes that is doing and if politics and govthey’re being fair ernment are supor not. posed to function “Good journalas people coming ism is practiced together for the Photo Courtesy of Wesley Theological Seminary every day in this common good. “The golden rule is a which would ultimately to a better discussion rather country. More opinion has crept into reporting core fundamental function transfer into widespread than an argument. over the past 40 years, and we need to weave back into understanding and less Ferrum professor, Dr. that’s where the criticism our political spectrum, and hate. Kevin Reilly was called if there’s the golden rule in “You should be able to upon as he asked McCurry comes in,” McCurry said. He did, however, share politics, it hasn’t been seen authentically state somea question regarding the that he thought there needs in these past few elections,” one’s opinion before makcurrent political climate. to consistently be more McCurry said. ing a comment,” McCurry “Is the division and factual reporting with less The former White House said. polarization within our Press Secretary also disHe said that many country really as bad as we spin. “We hunger for faccussed how polarization is political debates that can think it is?” Reilly asked. tual information because hindering the practice of the fuel further distance and McCurry responded by
we’re afraid we’re getting conned,” McCurry said. He also stated that he reads both the New York Times and The Washington Post every morning, giving him a fairly balanced synopsis of the news and current events. He also said that it’s dangerous to only speak and discuss with like-minded people and that we should strive to have intellectual and respectful conversations with people of different backgrounds to better shape our political understandings. When it comes to his past work in the Clinton Administration, McCurry’s job was similar to that as a middleman or mediator. “The hardest part of my job was taking the enormous complexity that is our government and translating it for the public,” McCurry said, “The public has the right to understand because the public has the right to know.” The evening discussion wrapped up with McCurry thanking Ferrum and everyone who attended the event. “I’m glad I came to this. For someone who was so prominent in politics, it’s amazing how he came to our small school, and how down to earth and real he seems to be,” said junior spectator, Camryn Holt.
From News Cafe to Panther Grounds By Mary Stoudt
Christmas Pro/Con
Townhall
of new tv screens which display information that would otherwise overwhelms campus e-mail. Additional screens are in the Library and Franklin Hall, with more screens planning to be placed around the campus. New apparel and gift options are also available in the spirit store section of the coffee shop. The new
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Ferrum College, as well as students, have worked on developing this space into the best it could possibly be. “It was a really fun project,” said Burnley. The Panther Grounds has continued to evolve throughout this semester into what it is now. In addition to new seating, the Panther Grounds is also home to the first phase
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Johns. With the textbook purchases now happening online, the bookstore opened up with more space for seating. This is one of the main reasons the bookstore was chosen for a new area for students to “hang out.” The creation of the new bookstore was “truly a team work that came from many sides,” said Sposato. Many departments at
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tiple chairs available for students to sit back, relax, and study. The new booths are also accompanied by charging stations below the seats. The bar will be getting charging stations in the coming weeks. This new coffee shop “emerged out of our town hall meetings during the spring semester when students talked about wanting places to hang out,” said
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Government Association, Lawrence Baranski, and Senior Todd Paris, winner of the naming contest for the coffee shop and spirit store. The Panther Grounds has a whole new interior look compared to the original layout of the coffee shop from the beginning of this semester. There is a bar, a number of booths, custom made tables, and mul-
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The Grand Re-Opening of the coffee shop and spirit store, now called Panther Grounds, was celebrated by the Ferrum College community on Nov. 28. The Panther Grounds ribbon cutting ceremony was performed by President Dr. David Johns, Provost Dr. Aimé Sposato, Vice President for Administration and Finance Chris Burnley, President of the Student
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