Ferris Gives to Those In Need Through Food Drives

BIG RAPIDS – The upcoming holidays remind us that it’s not what you receive, but rather what you give to those in need that makes the season bright. Students, faculty and staff at Ferris State University are preparing for this year’s holiday season by finding ways to give back on campus and in the community.

One such campaign includes the Ferris Student Government Holiday Food Drive, which runs through Dec. 3. In its third year, organizers hope to raise 7,500 pounds of non-perishable food items to donate to area food pantries. The campus community raised 6,100 pounds of food for donation during the 2008 campaign.

“We want this year’s holiday food drive to be even bigger and better,” said Liz Cottrell, Student Government food drive committee chair and Delta Zeta representative.

Donations can be made Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Government Office, Rankin Student Center Room 121. The last day of the drive donations may be made between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

This year, the campaign also includes participation by Ferris faculty and staff, who are collecting food through their offices around campus. According to Cottrell, a prize will be given to the faculty or staff office that gives the most canned-goods. Student organizations, residence halls and Greek organizations also have the chance to win a monetary prize for donating the most food.

“This is a great way for people on the Ferris campus to give back to the community and help people less fortunate than them. Even a small amount of donated food is a big help to other people,” Cottrell added.

Other efforts throughout the fall semester include Ferris’ combined efforts with the Zonta Club of Big Rapids in the “Stand Against Poverty” initiative, the largest worldwide rally against world poverty, which was held on Oct. 16 at the Big Rapids City Library. Ferris students, staff and faculty, along with local community members, brought nonperishable food items to be donated to Project Starburst.

Brought to her attention by a student, Erin Weber, an assistant professor of English at Ferris, proposed the idea of joining the rally to students in her Advanced Technical Writing class. They met during regular class time and walked the few blocks over to the library to donate food items and be counted as part of the “Stand Against Poverty.”

“This was a great way to strengthen the tie between the student population and the Big Rapids community; a good way to see that students do care. It was easy to do and didn’t take the whole afternoon, so I thought ‘why not?’ It was fun to get out,” Weber said. “More students should let Ferris faculty and staff know about local volunteer events like these.”

Renee Mika, Ferris College of Optometry associate professor and Zonta board member, said “This was a great example of campus community engagement. Zonta would like to especially thank the Ferris community for helping with this great cause.”

Ferris Partners with Lansing Community College to Offer Automotive Management Bachelor's Degree Option

LANSING – Ferris State University’s Automotive Management program is expanding to its second off-campus location in January 2010.

The program is being offered at Lansing Community College’s University Center in downtown Lansing and is geared toward the working adult.

“This is a powerful partnership between Ferris State University and Lansing Community College and a great opportunity to offer one of Ferris’ more unique programs to a wider variety of students,” said Greg Denny, Ferris Automotive Management professor.

Marvin Ortiz, LCC Transportation and Engineering Technologies department chair, agreed, saying the partnership is a win-win for everyone involved. “Both Ferris and Lansing Community College have a lot to offer students.”

Classes are held one night a week allowing students to progress through the nine required classes in approximately three years, while also completing general education course requirements. Individuals with an associate degree in automotive, heavy equipment technology and collision areas, or equivalent course work are excellent candidates for this degree, Denny said.

“This is a great opportunity for those desiring a Bachelor of Science degree while remaining in the work force,” he added.

Along with Denny, Ferris associate professors Mike Ropele and Dan VanderWoude, all full-time faculty, teach this off-campus program. Students completing the degree in Lansing get the same classes and faculty they would if taking the program on the Big Rapids campus. This brings a consistency to the program not seen in other off-campus programs, Denny added.

“We are very unique in that our students get a very sound technical background,” he said. “This goes along with management and marketing classes that are specifically geared to the transportation industry.”

A graduate of the Automotive Management program can expect to find job opportunities in a number of major corporations including many domestic and import manufacturers and parts suppliers. A large number of graduates work as service, sales or parts managers and collision professionals.

Automotive Management has been offered at Ferris since 1971. Along with being on Ferris’ Big Rapids campus, the degree has been offered at Macomb Community College’s University Center in Clinton Township since 1996.

For more information, visit www.ferris.edu/technology and click on the Automotive Management link or call Denny at (231) 591-2361.

Ferris In The News

Ferris Students Gain Hands-On Learning Experience at Wine Festival

The Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival, a preholiday food and wine expo, hosted some 10,000-plus visitors, making it the largest food and wine festival in Michigan, and one of the premier wine and food festivals in the Midwest, The Oakland Press reports. More than 100 wineries from around the world provided samples of nearly 1,000 assorted wines, and chefs from 10 of Grand Rapids’ top restaurants prepared and served samples of their culinary specialties. Not only was the Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival a great opportunity to enjoy food, wine and handcrafted beers, it also provided a hands-on educational experience for Ferris State University students enrolled in the Sports, Entertainment and Hospitality Management programs. FSU partnered with show producers to give 150 students the opportunity to provide pouring services for the festival. But, what was even more impressive was the way in which the vendors partnered with these students to share product information to help students showcase their products. Last year, an FSU student pourer who worked the booths for two days was offered a summer internship and later invitation for full-time employment after graduation. Read more at http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2009/11/23/life/doc4b0a6bbe5ad36029725994.txt.

Muir Wins Regional Runner of Year Honor

Junior Tina Muir (St. Albans, United Kingdom) of the Ferris State University women’s cross country team was recognized as the United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association Division II Midwest Region Women’s “Athlete of the Year” following her championship performance in the 2009 NCAA-II Midwest Regional Championships held in Kenosha, Wisc., reports LexisNexis News. Muir previously was named to the USTFCCCA all-region squad, which is based on final performances at the regional meet where she led the nationally-ranked FSU women’s cross country team to its second consecutive NCAA Division II National Championships berth by running to a third-place team finish in the regional meet. Muir clocked 21:33.2 in winning the region’s individual title as she finished nearly 11 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Mary Ballinger of Southern Indiana. The women’s field included 134 runners. Muir’s victory represented her fifth individual title in as many races this season. Previously, she was chosen as the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Runner of the Year for the 2009 season. Read more at http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=100019545&docId=l:1079062664&start=8.

Detroit Free Press Highlights Ferris State University's Blair Riley Being Named National Player Of The Week

BIG RAPIDS - Ferris State University senior ice hockey forward Blair Riley was named the Inside College Hockey National Player of the Week.

That honor was recognized by the Detroit Free Press in an article that also brings positive publicity to the hot start to the season by the Bulldogs as a team.

Here is an excerpt from the Detroit Free Press article:

Ferris State senior left wing Blair Riley has been named national player of the week by InsideCollegeHockey.com.

Riley had four goals (including his second career hat trick) and two assists as the Bulldogs swept two games versus Ohio State at Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids.

Check the athletics blog later this morning (Nov. 25) for a full-length feature on Blair.

Check Out Recreation, Leisure Services And Wellness Video

BIG RAPIDS - Ferris State University graduates who emerge from the Recreation, Leadership and Management program make a differences in communities around the state of Michigan and elsewhere.

But, for these graduates, being difference makers in communities begins with a first-rate education at Ferris. Recreation, Leadership and Management graduates enjoy getting out in the community, emerging from behind desks and interacting with people.

Learn more about Ferris State University's Recreation, Leadership and Management program by checking out this nice video feature and visiting the Web site, here.

Ferris Receives Donation from Hino Trucks

BIG RAPIDS – Hino Trucks, a division of Toyota, donated a new medium-duty truck to the School of Automotive and Heavy Equipment at Ferris State University. The truck, one of six donated throughout the country and the only one in Michigan, will be used by students in all five programs in the school, said Mike Ropele, associate professor of Automotive Management.

Alumnus Chris Russell (Automotive Management ‘02), Hino sales support coordinator, is the catalyst behind the donation. Russell credits Ferris’ educational mix of hands-on technology and management training as the reason for his career success. He is pleased to be able to give back and provide opportunities for current and future students to advance their learning in the classroom.

“Hino is the number one growing truck in the medium-duty market and is great for the students to learn with,” Russell said. “Hino Trucks was glad to donate the truck to such a successful university and program.”

Added Ropele, “This donation allows us to continue to provide a state-of-the-art learning environment for our students.”

College of Engineering Technology Dean Tom Oldfield said the success of Ferris’ career-oriented programming can be seen through graduates such as Russell. “We’re grateful for the continued support of our alumni once they’ve entered the workplace.”

For more information or to make a gift to the university, please contact The Ferris Foundation at (231) 591-2365 or http://fsufdn@ferris.edu. Details about establishing scholarships or endowments may be obtained from the Advancement Office at (231) 591-3825.

Check out this story and more by visiting Ferris State University's News Services Web site:
http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/news/news/homepage.cfm?CategoryLink=News&archive=NO

Check Out Faces Of Ferris Entry On Dr. John Matlock

I'd like to encourage everyone to take a moment and read one of the recent Faces of Ferris entries. I had an opportunity twice to interview Dr. John Matlock, a Ferris State University graduate from the class of 1971.

The original story I wrote was published in the current addition of Ferris Magazine, which can be viewed online, here.

The Faces of Ferris entry is an adaption of the Ferris Magazine story and is more focused on the opportunity Ferris presented him when he arrived as a high-school dropout. John only went from being a high-school dropout to earning a bachelor's degree from Ferris, his master's from the University of Michigan and his Ph.D. from the U of M.

Dr. Matlock has an inspiring story that made me oftentimes wonder what it was like during the turbulent 1960s. When I hear stories, such as the ones I heard from John who became an activist at Ferris and after his time in Big Rapids, I often wonder what I am many others like me would have done in the fight for civil rights.

I hope people will take the opportunity not only to check out the stories I wrote about John, but also an older article that takes a deeper look at John's time at Ferris during the Civil Rights Movement era and focused more on some of the struggles that took place at Ferris and in Big Rapids for minority students.

Take the time to learn about one of our great graduates who today works at the University of Michigan as Associate Vice Provost and Director of the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, University of Michigan.

Happy 30th Birthday, Brutus The Bulldog

BIG RAPIDS - Brutus the Bulldog celebrated a happy 30th birthday on Friday evening with a birthday party during the Ferris State University-Ohio State University ice hockey game in Ewigleben Ice Arena.

As with many birthday parties, Brutus invited a few buddies as he was joined by the mascot from Buffalo Wild Wings, the mascot from Central Michigan University, the cardinal mascot from Saginaw Valley State University, the KFC chicken mascot and the mascot from the Grand Rapids Griffins. It was a nice party that included a lot of good work by the Student Alumni Gold Club members of Ferris. The crowd sang happy birthday to Brutus, who enjoyed a number of different activities to celebrate his milestone birthday.

It was great work all the way around and I want to again wish Brutus a very happy 30th birthday.

Photo by Ed Hyde

Ferris In The News

Debate on Michigan’s Knowledge Economy Continues

At Business Review’s knowledge economy forum last week, we all learned a lot – mostly about what we still have left to learn. With roundtables dedicated to exploring what a knowledge economy means to Michigan’s economic pillars, as well as talent attraction and retention and education, we gathered more than 150 people from across the state and representing a breadth of industries to discuss our state’s future, West Michigan Business Review reports. It was an incredible feeling. An inspiring comment by President David Eisler of Ferris State University in Big Rapids was that the colleges don’t necessarily need more money to improve education – just stronger partnerships. He referenced the existing partnerships that university has with west Michigan community colleges, including Dowagiac’s Southwestern Michigan College, where Ferris offers programs to SMC students. The equation of open capacity plus demand minus bureaucracy and greed will equal positive outcomes for Michigan workers. Read more at http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2009/11/knowledge_economy_is_a_grassro.html.

Ferris Recognized for Storm Readiness

A student project turned into a special recognition at Ferris State University. Wednesday night, the National Weather Service named the school a StormReady facility, reports 9&10 News. It’s one of only four universities in Michigan to be recognized. From an outdoor broadcast system to emergency phone alerts, students spent months documenting how the school was prepared for an emergency. The National Weather Service is encouraging communities to take part in the StormReady program. They say the better prepared you are, the more people could be saved in a disaster. Watch the video at http://www.9and10news.com/category/story/?id=184896.

Learning Life Lessons Through Basketball Practice

This week marked the start of boys’ basketball practices across the state. With that comes drills, plays, sprints and any other little thing coaches can think of to get players mentally and physically ready for the rigors of the upcoming season, Cadillac News reports. However, Manton coach Ryan Hiller wanted to give his team a different kind of refresher course. Two years ago, Ferris State University Assistant Athletics Director Jon Coles visited the Rangers’ basketball team to talk about leadership on and off the court. He also talked about what Manton’s student athletes would have to do to get noticed by various colleges and universities. On Wednesday, he returned to give a little refresher to the upper classmen who were on the team two years ago, as well as a fresh perspective to the ones who weren’t. “Without question, leadership is a benefit to them on and off the court. Eventually everyone becomes a leader, whether it is of their family, a business or in education,” Coles said. “The skills they learn (Wednesday) afternoon they can use the rest of their lives.”

Granholm Recruits for Student Aid Battle

Gov. Jennifer Granholm stepped up her campaign Wednesday to put public pressure on the Senate – especially Senate Republicans – to restore the Michigan Promise Scholarship program, which was eliminated in the new state budget. Among her tactics: a letter sent to 348,000 high school and college students who have qualified for the grants, faulting the Legislature for killing the scholarship. Matt Marsden, a spokesman for Senate Republicans, said the income-tax change Granholm supports was approved by the Senate last month to add more money to K-12 public schools. “We wish we had the resources to provide the Promise grant. Presently, we do not,” Marsden said. “There are other more-pressing needs now.” Some schools are scrambling to figure out ways to make up the difference. Ferris State University also will use stimulus funds to help students such as Paula Getzmeyer, 18, of Ortonville, who has been told that she will receive $1,100 to make up for a semester’s worth of the Promise and Competitive grants – both state funds – that she had expected earlier this year. That help from Ferris will cover books and other odds and ends, said Getzmeyer, a pre-pharmacy student. “You learn in your first year how quickly those things add up,” she said.

Grant Provides Interest-Free Loan Opportunities for Ferris Students

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris State University received the third of four $25,000 payments as part of a $100,000 grant from the Charles E. Schell Foundation. Fifth Third Bank serves as trustee to the Schell Foundation and bank representatives recently presented the check to the university.

Charles E. Schell established his trust in 1932 to provide interest-free loans to students who meet the following criteria: recipients must be from Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia or adjacent states; have at least a 2.0 grade point average; and demonstrate loyalty to the United States.

The grant award was secured by Ferris Investments and Grants Officer Karen Thompson, in conjunction with Carla Miller, associate vice president for Advancement at Ferris. Ferris received the first installment of $25,000 in November 2007. The final installment will be received in November 2010.

Thompson notes the grant award is one of many university-wide efforts to establish additional financial aid resources for students. Through Schell’s generosity and vision, many students have been able to pursue what Schell called a “practical education,” Thompson added.

“In this time of economic challenge in the state of Michigan, we are hearing from more students in need of financial assistance,” said Jerry Scoby, Ferris vice president for Administration and Finance. “We greatly appreciate this grant from the Charles E. Schell Foundation to assist our students in obtaining an outstanding education from Ferris State University.”

Although the loans are interest free, students will be required to sign a promissory note to repay their loans so future students can benefit from the loan fund, Thompson said. There are 17 students who have benefited from the first two installments of this grant award.

Students interested in this loan or other forms of financial aid, should contact the Financial Aid Office at (231) 591-2110.

For more information or to make a gift to Ferris State University, please contact The Ferris Foundation at (231) 591-2365 or www.ferris.edu/foundation. Details about establishing scholarships or endowments may be obtained from the Advancement Office at (231) 591-3825.

Rep. Pete Hoekstra Visits Ferris State University, Tours Granger Center, Meets With President Eisler

BIG RAPIDS – Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Holland) visited Ferris State University on Monday, Nov. 16 to learn more about how Ferris is meeting the needs of the new economy and manufacturing opportunities, the retraining/retooling of industry and the environment.

While on campus, Hoekstra spent time with College of Engineering Technology Dean Thomas Oldfield and Interim Director for the School of Built Environment John Schmidt touring the Granger Center for Construction and HVACR. The Center is a 72,000 square-foot interactive learning environment with exposed plumbing, electrical, structural and building components providing learning opportunities beyond the typical classroom setting.

“We want our students to not only be able to understand the engineering aspect in their field, but to be able to apply that theory by providing a hands-on experience,” Schmidt said.

Programs offered in the Granger Center are in Construction Management with emphasis on Civil Engineering Technology and Building Construction Technology; Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology; and HVACR Engineering Technology. The center also is used by industry like the Michigan Department of Transportation through Ferris’ Institute for Construction Education and Training, and Hobart Service for training technicians in servicing commercial foodservice refrigeration equipment.

A strong focus of the HVACR programs is on energy efficiency. As one of only two HVACR bachelor’s degree programs in the country, Ferris is looked upon by industry as leaders in educating environmentally aware technicians and engineers.

“The School of Built Environment is solidly formed around the education of efficiencies and sustainability through our HVACR options, facility management degree, professors that are LEED certified and our new Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture and Sustainability that will be offered starting in Fall 2010,” Oldfield said.

Hoekstra ended his visit meeting with university President David Eisler.

Ferris In The News

Ferris Student Organization Stitches Ponchos, Pillowcases for Hospital Patients

Patients at Helen DeVos children’s hospital in Grand Rapids will be a little warmer and a little cheerier this winter thanks to the efforts of some Ferris State University students, the Big Rapids Pioneer reports. Members of Ferris’ Association of Clinical Laboratory Sciences – a student organization – made 30 fleece ponchos for the children as part of Project Poncho. Students also plan to make 100 pillowcases. Hospital representatives are excited to receive the donation, said Nicole Cuneo, former ACLS president and Project Poncho chair. “They never receive enough donations,” Cuneo said, adding the ponchos keep children warm and don’t interfere with IV lines. “It feels good to give to someone else,” ACLS member Angie Deering added.

Ferris West Central Concert Band Performance Honors Veterans

Playing to a patriotic crowd, the Ferris State University West Central Concert Band presented its seventh annual Veterans Day Concert Monday night in G. Mennen Williams Auditorium. The band played a variety of songs linked to different eras of combat for American soldiers – from the Revolutionary War to present, reports the Big Rapids Pioneer. The Croton American Legion Post No. 381 Honor Guard also performed the presentation of colors preceding the concert and the AMVETS Red Arrow Post No. 1941 presented the “Honored Guest.” Ferris professor emeritus Richard Santer gave a speech about the military’s Polar Bear units, made up primarily of Michigan men who fought the Russian Bolsheviks immediately following WW I. The evening also included performances by John King, who sang a salute, and Ferris President David Eisler, who served as guest conductor.

Mecosta-Osceola Career Center Instills Service in Students at Young Age

There are 46 area high schoolers enrolled in the Mecosta-Osceola Career Center’s Public Safety Program who have the itch to serve their community as firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, corrections officers, emergency dispatchers or military members, said instructor Jim Williams. Students are able to gain basic skills through hands-on learning from instructors with law enforcement experience, which also opens the doors for job shadow opportunities with area law enforcement agencies, the Big Rapids Pioneer reports. At Ferris State University, having a background in the field is beneficial for students considering entering the university’s Criminal Justice program. Steve Reifert, director of Ferris’ School of Criminal Justice, said participating in the MOCC program gives students perspective on whether or not a career in criminal justice is for the right career path for them. “Right off the bat, students have a better understanding of what they’re studying,” Reifert said.