Photos by Eric Brady | The Roanoke Times

Enrollment at Ferrum College has reached a record 1,400 students, but looking to the future, President Jennifer Braaten hopes to keep enrollment under 2,000. "It's good to grow, but not too big where we lose the character of a small school," Braaten said. She said she hopes to add more classroom space and a sports team to the college.

President of Ferrum College Jennifer Braaten speaks to a freshmen orientation class Tuesday morning.

Since Ferrum College President Jennifer Braaten took the helm in 2002, three new dormitories have opened and $16 million has gone into renovating other campus buildings. Ferrum has broadened its course offerings to include environmental planning and graphic design.

FERRUM -- For almost 90 years, from its creation to its transformation from a junior college to a four-year institution, Ferrum College was led by a man.

But since Jennifer Braaten took over as the school's first female president in 2002, the campus has grown in size and stature -- and people are taking notice. This year, for instance, the school reached a record enrollment of 1,400.

"The woman's touch is a nice touch," said Assistant Alumni Director Tracy Holley, a 1996 Ferrum graduate.

What Holley considers a woman's touch, 1984 graduate Carthan Currin considers much-needed leadership.

"Ferrum has been yearning for this type of leadership for some time," said Currin, Richmond's economic development director and a former Ferrum College Alumni Association president. "It's just been there waiting for the right person to come in."

The surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and original buildings remain constant at the school, but since 2002 more buildings dot the landscape and more students can be seen wandering around campus.

"The changes have been dramatic, significant, and it's very refreshing to see the institution flourish under Dr. Braaten," Currin said. "The changes have taken place because we have a strong leader as opposed to what we had a decade ago."

Enrollment figures that fluctuated for years but had never reached 1,000 have been steadily increasing. Ferrum achieved the record this year by drawing double the number of applications for several years compared with the year Braaten arrived. This year, 2,672 students applied, compared with 1,312 in 2002, according to data supplied by the college.

Ferrum accepted nearly 77 percent of those applicants, compared with 71 percent in 2002, but numbers from the college indicate Ferrum hasn't been less selective in offering admission.

This year's freshman class averaged an SAT score of 931 and a 2.9 GPA -- a performance in line with the previous four entering classes.

More students mean more housing, and three dorms have been added in the past few years. About $16 million went into renovating other dorms and classrooms, and the student center was also expanded.

The school's latest project is the Hank Norton Center, an athletic complex named after the school's longtime football coach.

The 28,000-square-foot center will house many of the school's outdoor sports teams, classrooms and a weight room. Eventually a new press box, concession stands and restrooms will be added.

"We try to appeal to today's students, which can be difficult sometimes," said Frederic Torimiro, dean of the School of Social Sciences.

Braaten said making the college attractive to prospective students is something she strives for.

The campus now has wireless Internet, and soon after she arrived, she made sure a cellphone tower was installed to increase accessibility.

"Connectivity is crucial," she said.

Just as the student population is growing, so are course offerings at Ferrum.

Students can now study environmental planning and development, graphic design and eco-tourism.

Eventually, Braaten said she would like to see a master's program at the school, giving it university status.

Torimiro credits Braaten with creating a work environment that has allowed the school's faculty to thrive -- an aspect that was missing before.

"There is one constant in Ferrum, and that is the faculty and staff," he said.

Braaten hired a provost that serves as the conduit between faculty and the administration, and salary benchmarks have improved.

She also took the school's six academic programs and merged them into three schools -- natural sciences and math, social sciences, and arts and humanities.

When Braaten took the reins from Jerry Boone, she said Ferrum had issues shared by many small private schools. Enrollment was low, older buildings were in need of repair and a there was a lack of technology.

Focusing on faculty, facilities and making the school affordable, Braaten worked her way to the results that are visible on campus today.

As the school grows, she said she keeps a watchful eye, wanting to keep the student population under 2,000.

"It's good to grow, but not too big where we lose the character of a small school," she said.

Still to come for the school is a men's lacrosse team and hopefully more classroom space, Braaten said.

Senior business administration major Sam Catron can't think of anything that he'd change.

"I like Ferrum the way it is," he said. "She's got Ferrum going in a great direction."

Staff writer Matt Chittum contributed to this report.