INSIDE
September 20, 2019 | Vol. 65, Issue 4
Meet The Staff p. 2 BRI Exhibit p. 4 Club Fair p. 5 Women’s Golf p. 6 Sports Previews p. 7
Dr. Johns: Welcome Back Panthers! By AnnGardner Eubank With the new 2019-2020 academic school year back in full swing; students, faculty, and members of the Ferrum community can notice several major changes on campus, along with more change on the way. From new academic programs to a change in dining services, Ferrum has been growing under the leadership of President Dr. Johns and his team. After several town hall meetings and student surveys, Dr. Johns had an idea of what the students wanted to see different on campus this year. A new outdoor classroom has been built so students have a new space to learn, study, and hang and is located beside the YMCA. A donor gave a gift in honor of her husband to construct the new Leo Scott Pavilion at the Blue Ridge Institute, which Johns said is great for the children who come to visit the campus and museum. The official ribbon cutting ceremony is being planned for later this fall. New furniture, awnings, and other interior enhancements have been added to campus over the summer as well, along with the development of the E-Gaming center in Bassett Hall where Confetti’s used to be. While the school has noticeably been revamped in an exterior sense, the major changes have primarily been more internal. Johns discussed building new and stronger connections with other institutions to help build more seamless transitions for both high schoolers coming to Ferrum, along with connections at institutions like University of Pikeville in Kentucky for graduating Ferrum students to explore opportunities in higher level medical education and training while they pursue a higher degree. Johns said that the connections made with other institutions will aid in more seamless transfer of credits with further articulation agreements. Other major changes for the new year include the addition of three new majors of study, including ecotourism, elementary education, and music. Each of these areas of study show promise to better and enrich the college campus. “Dr. Mayor and Dr. Caston have worked hard to bring the Ecotourism program up to speed and make it what it is at Ferrum,” Johns said. Ecotourism, which focuses on balancing tourism with conservation of the natural world, is not only an expansion in Ferrum’s academics, but a necessity. “No matter what area you study or major in, everything and everyone is impacted by the natural world,” said Johns. Having the ability to major in elementary education will offer students a more clear and concise path into their careers upon graduation. “A great thing about education majors is 100% of them have jobs when they graduate,” said Johns. The expansion of the music department is another academic
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is to get the school’s level changed in order to begin offering graduate degree programs. While the administrative team has been working tirelessly towards the level change, the institution’s accredditors need more information and data. More finalized information on the status will be available by the end of the semester. Johns is also very focused on bringing programs in Health Sciences to completion, including the development of the nursing program. “Everywhere, especially around this area, is always in need of nurses,” said Johns. Dr. David Johns signing an agreement with Kentucky College of Optometry. Johns’ other primary goal for this Photo courtesy of Ferrum College. year is to allow Ferrum’s message and identity to change that is hopeful to attract more students along with be heard and understood. helping the program grow as a whole in general. “I want to promote more assertively who Fer“The marching band has grown so much in just its rum is. Why people should come here and why second year. This past summer we’ve even had band camps people should invest in themselves here,” said for highschoolers for the first time in years,” said Johns. Johns. While the addition of three new majors for this acaJohns said that he wants to articulately and demic year is already quite the feat, Johns and his team loudly let the world know of the unique and valuhave much more in store as far as growth and development able qualities Ferrum and the community have to on campus. The President’s number one goal for the year offer.
“Ferrum is a destination college where education is impacted by the natural world and where every student is prepared for innovative and meaningful work,” said Johns. Johns and his team are ready to promote, improve, and enjoy Ferrum and the community this year more than ever before, and are very excited to welcome everyone back to campus, especially the freshmen and new students who have arrived this fall. “My biggest piece of advice for freshmen would be to show up. There is so much here for them, for all of us. It goes beyond just being here. Open your eyes and take everything in. You’ll miss it all if you don’t take everything in. Being engaged and immersed is an investment for their own life,” said Johns. While a new crop of freshmen will be immersed into everything that is Ferrum, time is also winding down for students gearing up for the “real world” and preparing for life after graduation. “For the seniors, I’d like to say thank you. Thank you for choosing to come to Ferrum. You have made this place better and more creative. I am so proud and excited to see how your lives and futures unfold,” said Johns. The 2019-2020 school year is officially underway and off to a fresh new start with many changes and improvements to be seen and enjoyed.