Ferrum College provides education in a historic and scenic setting. Ferrum is a picturesque Virginia settlement at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The college itself and two of its halls are registered as historic landmarks.
The college was founded in 1913. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and provides a liberal arts education based on Christian principles.
There are over 40 undergraduate programmes on offer at Ferrum. The college has three schools: Arts and Humanities, Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Social Sciences and Professional Studies.
Ferrum College is home to the second oldest environmental science programme in the United States. Reflecting this, the college has a strong sustainability culture and several ongoing projects are helping Ferrum to go green. The student-run farm provides locally-grown food to the cafeteria. Students have also taken charge of reducing the energy wasted by halls of residence, proposing refits of the paving and lighting, and measuring the outcomes.
Virginia’s primary museum of local folklore, the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum, sits on the main campus.
Ferrum Outdoors provides students with opportunities to get out into the college’s majestic natural surroundings. Students taking the Recreational Leadership major work with Ferrum Outdoors to develop their skills in leading trips and organising outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking.
Most students live on the 700-acre campus. There are plenty of avenues of entertainment, including student-led events organised by the college’s clubs and societies. There are also annual socials such as the Spring Fling and the Snow Ball.
