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Ferris Magazine Honors 130th Anniversary of University

Ferris MagazineThe Fall 2014 edition of Ferris Magazine commemorates the 130th anniversary of the founding of what is now Ferris State University.

A special section on the anniversary features a column by archivist Melinda Isler, who reflects on Ferris’ history and shares a few of her favorite things housed in the university’s collection. It also includes a Q&A with David Pilgrim, the university’s vice president for Diversity and Inclusion, and one of the country’s leading experts on issues related to multiculturalism, diversity and race relations. Pilgrim discusses how events on campus reflected events happening nationally, milestones in diversity at Ferris and his own vision of a truly diverse university.

The 50-page publication also is filled with university news and features, including an inspiring story about Owen Green, the young nephew of Languages and Literature department chair Debra Courtright-Nash. Green was born without fingers on one hand. When Courtright-Nash saw a news story about a man who developed freeware to print a mechanical hand, she asked professor Chuck Drake if he had any seniors in Mechanical Engineering who were looking for a project. He did, and now Green has a mechanical hand designed and printed by Emily Jungblut, a recent College of Engineering Technology graduate.

Courtright-Nash said she was impressed by Jungblut’s perseverance and personal sense of responsibility in taking on the project.

“But I would also like to think that Ferris State University develops both the life skills and technical skills that make students like Emily able and willing to go the extra mile and achieve excellence,” she said.

The magazine also chronicles how Matthew Adeyanju’s goal when he became dean of the College of Health Professions in 2012 was the creation of a public health program. Beginning with the 2014-15 academic year, Ferris will have the distinction of offering a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a Master of Public Health, including an accelerated track that allows for completion of both in five years.

The issue also includes news about the School of Criminal Justice graduating its first local Corrections Officers Training Academy, and the article “Bulldogs are back in the ‘President’s House,’” is a fun read about Ferris Associate Athletics Director Jon Coles and his wife, Emily, being the proud new owners of a home that once housed five of the university’s former presidents.

Ferris Magazine is published twice a year by University Advancement and Marketing, and mailed to alumni and friends, employees and other key constituents.

The online version of the magazine can be found here.