Catherine (Badrak) Douglas
Graduated May 2003
B.S. International Business
Willamette Valley of Oregon

After graduating from Ferris with a degree in International Business, I had the opportunity to spend a year working and living in France. It was there that I was exposed to the exciting challenges of the wine industry. After France, life took me to New Zealand where I earned my Postgraduate Diploma in Wine Business as an external student at the University of Adelaide in Australia. While studying part-time, I also worked as Sales and Marketing Manager for Rockburn Wines. My degree from Ferris gave me a very strong background in subjects like accounting, consumer behavior, and global markets, which was truly a blessing in these endeavors! After four years in New Zealand, I wanted to return to the States and I have since settled in the Willamette Valley of Oregon with my husband. I work as the Marketing and Communications Manager for Adelsheim Vineyard, one of the oldest wineries in the Valley.

Being part of the Honors Program at Ferris gave me the opportunity to live in Helen Ferris and become not only friends, but family with those who lived there with me. They supported me and pushed me in my academic endeavors, but were also there for me personally. We are, eight years out of school, still an incredibly tight-knit community. I couldn't imagine what life would be like without them. Even though we are spread out around the country, they are my very best friends!

Aside from the Honors program community, the Honors program staff - Maude and Tammy - were always a great support. Namely, they were a huge help when I did my study abroad in France my sophomore year, providing me with a much-needed and much-appreciated scholarship. The cultural events that we attended on campus throughout the years were very enlightening as well. Not to mention the Honors Balls each year, the many clubs and organizations we were a part of, the excellent living arrangements, volunteer opportunities, and the other (infinite!) opportunities for learning beyond the classroom! I will forever appreciate the opportunity to have been a part of it.