Here’s a roundup of education briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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Danville Community College hosts open house
Danville Community College will host an open house for prospective students April 5.
The event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the school’s student center, will provide information about admissions, financial aid, careers and student resources. Visitors also can tour the campus and visit labs, classrooms and technical facilities.
For more information, visit www.danville.edu or call Karl Staten at 434-797-8588.
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Labor Secretary Slater announced as Ferrum commencement speaker
Bryan Slater, Virginia’s secretary of labor and a 1982 Ferrum College alumnus, will be the keynote speaker for the college’s 107th commencement ceremony on May 6.
Prior to his current post, Slater served as secretary of administration for Gov. James Gilmore and as director of administration for the attorney general’s office when Gilmore headed that office.
He was the White House liaison to the U.S. Department of Labor under President George W. Bush and a congressional relations officer for the Department of Housing and Urban Development under President George H.W. Bush.
Most recently, Slater served as assistant secretary for administration and management at the U.S. Department of Labor and assistant secretary of administration for the U.S. Department of Transportation under President Donald Trump.
He received his associate degree from Ferrum College and his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Richmond.
The Ferrum College commencement ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. May 6 in W.B. Adams Stadium on campus.
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Ninth District student art competition open for entries
High school students who live in Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District have until April 21 to submit entries for this year’s Congressional Art Competition.
The theme for this year’s contest is “Discovering Virginia’s Beautiful Ninth District,” according to a news release from the office of U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem.
The winning artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol complex for a year. The second- and third-place selections will be on display in one of the Ninth District offices. Last year’s winner was Maria Wilson of Virginia High School.
Students must submit a photograph of their original artwork to either Griffith’s Christiansburg or Abingdon district office by 5 p.m. April 21 for consideration. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed student information release form.
To read the complete rules and guidelines or download the student release form, visit www.morgangriffith.house.gov. Faculty or students with additional questions may contact Josh Hess at 540-381-5671 or josh.hess@mail.house.gov.
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Virginia Tech professor receives National Science Foundation award
Anne Brown, Virginia Tech University Libraries’ assistant professor, science informatics consultant and health analytics coordinator, and affiliate of the Department of Biochemistry, has received a five-year, $800,000 National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development award to use her molecular dynamics simulation expertise to shed more light on the differences between amyloids that harm and those that don’t.
Amyloids are proteins that signal certain responses in the human body.
The CAREER award is the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious award for early career faculty, encouraging them to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their organization.
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Empty Bowls raises more than $10,000 for Ferrum Panther Packs program
Ferrum College’s annual Empty Bowls fundraiser brought in more than $10,000 to support Panther Packs, a program that sends food-insecure Ferrum Elementary students home with backpacks stocked with food every weekend.
This year’s event, held March 19, was the 13th Empty Bowls, according to a news release from the college. Attendees selected a handmade pottery bowl, enjoyed a meal of homemade soup and bread provided and participated in a silent auction.
Since its founding in 2007, Panther Packs has served more than 1,000 children and provided more than 9,000 meals.
More than 500 bowls were made for this year’s event. The remaining bowls will be sold in the Clay House at Ferrum College on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.