BIG RAPIDS – Ferris State University Integrative Studies students who dare to imagine
more and have set out to create unique careers are accomplishing their goals with
the help of a newly created scholarship, the Bachelor of Integrative Studies Scholarship.
The need-based scholarship was created by professors of English Roxanne and John Cullen. The Integrative Studies program is designed to help students become proficient in a variety of disciplines that are well matched with their intended career and educational goals.
Dr. Roxanne Cullen explains, “BIS is where education is headed…not being so rigid. We emphasize to our students the need to demonstrate talents and abilities, multiple skills and adaptability, along with the ability to learn and transfer skills to new contexts. Our degree program is in many ways a return to the original mission of the university as articulated by our founder but designed for workers in a new century in an entirely new economy and social reality. They can use this degree and the credits they have to develop a unique perspective they can take with them into their fields.”
The scholarship will be awarded annually to at least one full- or part-time student majoring in Integrative Studies. The number of students receiving this scholarship, along with the monetary amount of the award, will increase as the scholarship fund grows each year.
Eligible students must demonstrate a financial need and have maintained a minimum 2.0 GPA.
“When we talk about preparing students for the workforce we have to realize that the BIS feeds right into that,” Roxanne says. “This degree is important because it’s a way for people to make connections between their academic learning as well as their life-long and co-curricular experiences, integrating and enhancing the multiple skills and competencies that they have gained along the way. They get to design their own academic path to meet their goals, and the scholarship helps make this happen.”
It allows people to play on their strengths and interests, and to take the skills they’ve developed and do what they want to do. This scholarship is important. This degree is important; it’s a way for people to make connections between all the academic areas of their life.”
For more information or to make a gift to the Bachelor of Integrative Studies Scholarship Endowment fund or Ferris State University, contact the Ferris Foundation at (231) 591-2365 or [email protected]. Details about establishing scholarships or endowments may be obtained from the Advancement Office at (231) 591-3825.