On Saturday, May 9, a day usually filled with activity, excitement, and crowds of family and friends, the Ferrum College campus was brilliantly sunny, chilly, and quiet.
At 10:00 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 in-person graduation event due to the novel coronavirus. Although the delivery was different the commencement exercises remained generally the same.
The program began with a slideshow of the graduates, and President David L. Johns and Provost and VP for Academic Affairs Aimé Sposato continued the tradition of ringing the large bell on campus to signify the start of the ceremony. The keynote address was brought by retired Professor Emeritus of Biology and Horticulture Bob Pohlad.
Virtual attendees were welcomed by Sposato, as she noted that “commencements are often thought of as bittersweet endings but today we are truly celebrating new beginnings.”
After thanking Ferrum College staff members for their dedication during the global pandemic, Sposato recognized nine distinguished faculty members with 212 years of combined service in teaching at the College: Seasonal 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; Professor of History Mike Trochim; and Professor of Business Demetri Tsanacas.
The presentation of awards followed during which Jennie West received the Exemplary Faculty Award, recognizes a full-time faculty member at Ferrum 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, knowledgable, open-minded individuals as they grow and learn through their journey and education at Ferrum College.”
Students shared that West was a friend who made them feel heard and at home, but pushed them out of their comfort zones. West is retiring this year, after 25 years of teaching at Ferrum College.
Assistant VP of Academic Affairs Kevin Reilly announced that Christopher Michael Stone of Ferrum, VA received the Senior Academic Excellence Award. Layura Henley ’20 from Wytheville, VA, received the Arthur S. Owens Leadership Award and received a triple major in Bachelor of Science degree in pre-professional health studies, biology, and health sciences.
“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 stated. “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.” said Pohlad ending his speech with a bit of advice for the graduates, saying, “As you go out from here with your degree in hand, accept the challenges ahead with confidence and strength, knowing your Ferrum family is here for you. Cling to your memories but use what you learned in your last four years to excel. We are excited to watch you soar!”
Senior Class President Caitlin Hodges ’20 told the graduates that “each of you has a niche in the world, unlike any other person’s niche, and it suits you perfectly. However, it may not be easy to attain and it may even seem impossible to start the journey. Vocation is a choice that each person has to make on their own. It is your choice to tell the world you who are.”
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 Baldacchi; 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.
The in-person commencement ceremony, baccalaureate service and candlelight ceremony, will be rescheduled at a later date.
