By Lindsey Foster
Way before the graduation season of 2021 counted down, Ferrum College’s student newspaper - formally known as The Iron Blade - was saying farewell to senior Mary Stoudt, one of the few student staff members and editors that have served the college newspaper for the longest possible time.
In fall 2017, Stoudt - after graduating from Milton Hershey School in Hershey, PA - joined Ferrum. Since then, she has been an integral part of The Iron Blade, where she served as news editor, layout editor, co-editor, editor-in-chief, among many other positions. Four years later, it’s now time for Stoudt to bid farewell to the place where she has left behind a plethora of legends.
We hope this isn’t a goodbye, but rather a see you later.
(Mary Stoudt taking graduation photos in front of the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum. Photo Credit: Dakota Fletcher.)
During her time with the student newspaper, there are many unforgettable stories the former student journalists can share. One widely discussed story is what The Iron Blade staff titled “Slave for the Blade Night.” It took place in fall 2018, when all the student journalists of The Iron Blade at that time spent a group-work night in the computer lab of the Vaughn Chapel, staying up late to complete the layout and stories for the issue they aimed to publish the next morning. Almost all staff members worked consistently until very early in the morning; and Stoudt was one of the two journalists that didn’t leave the lab until 5:00 a.m.
“Mary has always been extremely reliable and made the newspaper a priority,” said AnnGardner Eubank, former editor-in-chief for The Iron Blade and class of 2020 graduate. “Her dedication and consistent efforts made her a great teammate to have on the paper.”
(Mary Stoudt and our social media editor Lindsey Foster together at a sorority event.
Photo Credit: Grace Howell.)
Aside from her contribution to The Iron Blade, Stoudt also participated in many other clubs and organizations. Stoudt is part of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority and served as the Vice President of Academic Affairs, alum coordinator, and senior coordinator. She is also an active part of several honor societies, including Lambda Sigma, Sigma Tau Delta, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and Phi Alpha Theta. To add to Stoudt’s involvement on campus, she was also involved in the Rotaract Club, the Lions Club, and PAL Tutoring.
Stoudt has also worked as a McBroom Scholar Intern at the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum. At the BRIM, Stoudt had many responsibilities such as constructing exhibits, feeding the farm animals, and serving as a costumed interpreter. The BRIM Curator Ariel Hundley was impressed with Stoudt’s work at the BRIM for the past three years.
“Mary is passionate about history and about the BRIM itself and it shows,” said Hundley. “We are so sorry to see her leave because she’s truly part of the family here, but we are so excited to see where the future takes her! The BRIM won’t be the same without her.”
(Mary Stoudt working at the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum making a makeshift photo booth for their former online gift shop. Photo Credit: Hunter Gardner.)
This May, Stoudt will graduate from Ferrum College with a bachelor of science degree in history and a minor in public history and museum studies. She will continue her academic pursuit by attending the graduate school at Shepherd University in fall 2021, where Stoudt will major in Appalachian studies-business development and environment.
“My time at Ferrum has definitely taught me a lot about myself,” said Stoudt. “While at Ferrum I have made amazing friends and memories that I’m sure to carry with me forever. The past four years haven’t been easy, but they’ve pushed me further academically than I ever thought possible. I can’t wait to go to grad school and see what the future holds.”
Stoudt’s time at Ferrum was filled with hard work and rewarding achievements. We at The Iron Blade are all very proud of her dedication to the growth of the student newspaper during the past four years. She will be missed and always remembered. Congratulations to our best writer and lovely friend - The Iron Blade can’t wait to hear about the many more accomplishments you make in the future!
