Mary Ferrell, a senior lecturer in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, is retiring at the end of this calendar year. She has worked at Appalachian State University and the Reich College of Education for over 30 years, including serving as the assistant chair of the Appalachian Teaching Fellows program and teaching in the elementary education and media studies programs.
Much has changed during Ferrell’s time at App State. “Enrollment has doubled and there has been an increase in international and diverse students, which is refreshing and deepens everyone's college experience.”
Ferrell noted that she will miss her “colleagues and collaboration with projects and designing workshops, etc.” as well as her students.
“I enjoy helping them and getting to know them through class interactions and activities,” she added.
“There is so much to love about working at this special university and living in this town; seize every opportunity you can to learn, take risks, try new things, and reach out to other people.”
She is most looking forward to traveling and continuing to do what she loves - “being with my family, kayaking, biking, tennis, camping, and hiking as well as spending the winters in Mexico where I will be volunteering.”
Her advice to new faculty: “There is so much to love about working at this special university and living in this town; seize every opportunity you can to learn, take risks, try new things, and reach out to other people.”
Mary Ferrell
