Ferris State University News Headlines

May 2012

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 

Ferris Professor Awarded Fulbright Scholarship to Teach Overseas in Sierra Leone

A Ferris State University professor will spend five months teaching business in the African nation of Sierra Leone next year thanks to a grant from the federal government, reports the Grand Rapids Press via MLive.com. Bill Smith, a professor at Ferris’ College of Business, was awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to teach a course in small business management and entrepreneurship at the University of Sierra Leone in Freetown, the nation’s capital. “My goal is to help students rise above their present socioeconomic position in Freetown by providing the mentoring, necessary education and skills needed to establish and successfully manage their own business,” Smith, who will depart for his trip in January 2013. Read the full story from MLive.com here and the official press release from the University here.
 

Franklund Named Ferris Distinguished Teacher

Clifton Franklund is a self-professed nerd. He is also one of the most respected professors at Ferris State University, where he has been honored with the 2011-12 Distinguished Teacher Award, reports the Big Rapids Pioneer. “I like science, technology and science fiction,” said Franklund, an associate professor of Biology at Ferris. “I try to incorporate those interests into my classes to enhance my students’ comprehension.” Franklund, who also coordinates Ferris’ Biology program, is greatly admired by his students and his peers. Franklund received the university’s prestigious award this spring during the annual Employee Service Award Celebration in the Rankin Student Center Dome Room. to read more, visit here.
 

Ferris Honors Judge Ronald Nichols and Col. George Nicolas Jr. with Distinguished Alumni Awards

Ronald Nichols, 49th Circuit Court Judge, and Col. George Nicolas Jr., from the Office of the Surgeon General, have received a Ferris State University Distinguished Alumni Award, reports the Big Rapids Pioneer. The Ferris Alumni Association’s tradition of recognizing outstanding graduates is an important one, said Jeremy Mishler, director of Alumni Relations. “This recognition helps to highlight wonderful examples of individual success and fulfillment that our students and fellow graduates can aspire to and be proud of,” Mishler said. “It also keeps alumni connected to the university faculty and administration in a way that supports Ferris through their expertise, professional networks and personal philanthropy.” To read more about Nichols, visit here, and to read more about Nicolas, click here.

 

Tuesday, May 8, 2012 

Benson named Editor-in-Chief of the Ferris State Torch Student Newspaper

Ferris State University’s student newspaper, the Torch, will be led by senior Mary Benson during the 2012-13 school year, reports the Big Rapids Pioneer. Benson, who has worked for the Torch since 2009, is excited to be the new editor-in-chief of the student-operated newspaper. “I thought it would be a good learning experience for me to be in a leadership/management role, especially since it’s a business and not just a student group on campus,” said Benson, of Tustin. “We have to be successful in every aspect of a college student newspaper.” Read more, here.
 

Monday, May 3, 2012 

ArtPrize Founder Rick DeVos 'Totally Surprised' by Honorary Doctorate Honor from Ferris

You can call him Dr. Rick DeVos on Sunday. The ArtPrize founder, 5X5 Night creator and Pomegranate Studios owner is slated to receive an Honorary Doctorate from Ferris State University on Saturday, reports MLive.com. “It’s a great honor; I was totally surprised,” DeVos said, in a statement released by Ferris State University. “It’s wonderful to be recognized.” Read more, here.
 

Ferris to Award Three Honorary Doctorates at May 2012 Commencement

Another class of Ferris State University students will cross the stage and accept their degrees at spring commencement on Friday and Saturday (May 4-5) in Big Rapids. Of the 1,700 students who completed degrees this spring, more than 1,300 will participate in five commencement ceremonies in two days in Wink Arena at the Ewigleben Sports Complex, reports the Big Rapids Pioneer. Keynote speakers will include three people also receiving honorary doctorates: alumna Jo Laine Draugalis, dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; alumnus Brent Knight, president of Lansing Community College; and social entrepreneur Rick DeVos, founder of ArtPrize in Grand Rapids.  

April 2012

 

Monday, April 23, 2012 

Fans Enjoy Great Times at Ferris Fest 2012 Event

High-energy fans crowd surfed, sang their favorite lyrics and enjoyed a day of free music during Ferris Fest 2012 on Saturday, April 21 at Ferris State University, reports the Big Rapids Pioneer. The all-day event included music, games and other entertainment for community members and Ferris students.
 

Saturday, April 21, 2012 

Ferris Hockey Team Thanks Fans for Support Throughout the Season

More than 1,300 of 1,700 Ferris State University students who are candidates for degrees will participate in spring commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 4 and Saturday, May 5 in Big Rapids, reports the Big Rapids Pioneer. Students will hear commencement addresses from two Ferris alumni – one a university college of pharmacy dean and one a community college president – and a West Michigan entrepreneur who founded ArtPrize, all of whom will receive honorary doctorates. The three honorary doctorate recipients are alumna JoLaine Draugalis, dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; alumnus Brent Knight, president of Lansing Community College; and social entrepreneur Rick DeVos. Read more, here.

Friday, April 20, 2012 

Ferris Hockey Team Thanks Fans for Support Throughout the Season

Hundreds of hockey fans gathered at Wink Arena on Thursday, April 19 to celebrate the many accomplishments of the Ferris State University hockey team, Big Rapids Pioneer reports. Among the accolades achieved by the Bulldogs this year are finishing as the NCAA Division I national tournament runner up, advancing to the NCAA Frozen Four for the first time in school history, Central Collegiate Hockey Association regular season champions, ranking first in the nation for two weeks in February, head coach Bob Daniels being honored as the CCHA and American Hockey Coaches Association Division I National Coach of the Year and goaltender Taylor Nelson and defenseman Chad Billins being named All-Americans.

 

Wednesday, April 18, 2012 

Congratulating the Ferris State University Men's Ice Hockey Team

As reported in the Big Rapids Pioneer:

WASHINGTON – In a statement entered into the Congressional Record, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., today congratulated the Ferris State men’s hockey team on their “phenomenal regular season” and thrilling post-season play all the way to the championship game.   “It was a historic season, one that brought immense joy and considerable pride to everyone in Michigan, but especially to Big Rapids and the Ferris State family,” Levin said in his statement.  His full statement follows.

Mr. President, we in Michigan love hockey, at all levels, from the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL to early mornings spent at local rinks watching our kids in youth-league games. But even in Michigan, at the start of the men’s college hockey season last winter, few eyes were on Big Rapids, Mich., where Coach Bob Daniels was preparing for his 20th season leading the Ferris State Bulldogs.

In a preseason poll, the Bulldogs were ranked ninth in the 11-team Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Ferris State had made it to the NCAA tournament only once in its history. And even in our home state, hockey teams from the larger schools tend to get more attention than the team in Big Rapids. But the players at Ferris, a campus of fewer than 15,000 students in a town of just over 10,000 residents, were determined to let neither history nor expectations get in their way. They just started winning – eight games in a row to start the season, in fact, on the way to the CCHA regular season championship, two weeks as the No. 1-ranked team in the nation, 23 victories and a berth in the NCAA tournament.

Despite a phenomenal regular season, few picked the Bulldogs to go far in the NCAA tournament. Experts pointed to the fact that the team had no players who had been drafted by the professional teams in the National Hockey League, one of only three teams in the 16-school field without an NHL draftee. Top-rated Boston College, for example, had nine. But by now, exceeding expectation was nothing new. The Bulldogs defeated the University of Denver, and then Cornell, each by a single goal, to reach the Frozen Four in Tampa.

In the national semifinals, Ferris State was locked in a tight match with Union College. The Bulldogs were behind 1-0 late in the second period when senior Aaron Schmitt scored to tie the game, and it remained tied until just under five minutes remained in the third and final period, when junior Kyle Bonis scored the go-ahead goal.

That victory set up a championship match with Boston College, the odds-on favorite for the championship. The Eagles had outscored their opponents in three previous tournament games by a combined 12 goals to 1. Again, few gave Ferris a chance. But there they were, in the waning moments of the third period, down by just a goal and battling to tie the game.

The Bulldogs fell just short. Still, it was a historic season, one that brought immense joy and considerable pride to everyone in Michigan, but especially to Big Rapids and the Ferris State family.

I hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating Coach Daniels, seniors Aaron Schmitt, Chad Billins, Derek Graham, Michael Trebish, Jordie Johnston, Brett Wysopal, Tommy Hill and Taylor Nelson; their teammates, Scott Czarnowczan, Travis White, Jason Binkley, Cory Kane, Travis Ouellette, TJ Schlueter, Nate Milam, Garrett Thompson, Eric Alexander, Andy Huff, Justin Demartino, Matthew Kirzinger, Justin Buzzeo, Dom Panetta, Simon Denis, Kyle Bonis, CJ Motte and Rob Granett; coaches Drew Famulak, Mark Kaufman and Dave Cencer; and Ferris State fans everywhere. Thanks to the Bulldogs for a magical season.

To view this online, visit here.
 
 

Tuesday, April 17, 2012 

Take Back the Night to Feature 'No Zebras: No Excuses'

Ferris State University’s Student Leadership and Activities Office is leading an effort to “shatter the silence” and “stop the violence” through the annual Take Back the Night event scheduled for Thursday, April 19, the Big Rapids Pioneer reported on in its April 17 edition. The goal of Take Back the Night is to raise awareness of violence against women, specifically domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment and stalking. To read more, visit here.

Ferris Students Teach Youngsters About Dental Hygiene

Ferris State University Dental Hygiene students visited Mrs. Kirinovic's second-grade class at Riverview Elementary School in Big Rapids and talked to them about dental education, reports the Big Rapids Pioneer. Some items discussed were oral health, proper brushing, flossing and general nutrition.

 

Monday, April 16, 2012 

Ferris Breathes New Life into Federal Building for Kendall College of Art and Design

GRAND RAPIDS - One of the city's landmark development projects is nearing completion. The Federal Building at 148 Ionia Avenue will provide much needed space for Kendall College of Art and Design to expand its programs, namely its sculpture and ceramics department, which will get new equipment and classroom spaces, reports MiBiz. The fourth floor will serve as home to the Wege Center for Sustainable Design, founded by a $1 million gift from philanthropist Peter Wege. Read more from MiBiz, here.
 

The Big Event Strengthens Ties Between Ferris, Community

An estimated 1,700 Ferris State University students worked at 230 local houses on Saturday as part of an annual community service project, The Big Event, reports the Big Rapids Pioneer. This was the fifth year The Big Event has taken place at Ferris, and it is designed to thank the community for hosting college students for a majority of the year. To see video highlights of The Big Event, visit here.
 
 

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Former NATO Adviser Speaks During 2012 Ferris State University International Festival of Cultures

Jack Segal, a former NATO senior political adviser, gave a presentation at Ferris State University about America's involvement in the Afghanistan conflict, reports the Big Rapids Pioneer. The event was sponsored by the Center for Global Studies and Engagement as part of the 2012 International Festival of Cultures. 

 

Friday, April 13, 2012

An MiBiz Conversation with New Kendall College of Art and Design President David Rosen

When Oliver Evans steps down in July as president of Kendall College of Art and Design — the school he’s led for 18 years — he will be succeeded by David Rosen, currently the senior VP and VP of academic affairs at Woodbury University, a private California school, reports MiBiz. A former professor of English and drama, he also directed academic and small theater productions and is a published writer of fiction and of one rock song, “Valerie,” released by the Greg Kihn Band. Rosen talked with MiBiz about his vision for Kendall. Question: Why make the move from L.A. to Grand Rapids? Answer: I grew up and worked in small towns all my life. L.A. was an experiment in big city living, but it just wasn’t really for us. I was looking for a community that has everything Grand Rapids has. It hits all our value points. It has great schools and arts and culture, and it has infrastructure around medicine. It’s approximate to big cities, if we want to be there, or wilderness, if we want to be there. West Michigan, I think, is an overlooked gem. It will be one of the premier places in the country, certainly in the region. It’s on an upward trajectory. Read more, here.

 

March 2012

Wednesday, March 14, 2012 

Pilgrim's Dream to Display Collection of Racist Memorabilia Comes to Fruition

The "little room with a big purpose" is getting a lot bigger. Fifteen years in the making, the new home of the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia is just days away from completion, reports the Big Rapids Pioneer. Froom its former location in a 500-square-foot room on campus, the museum has expanded to take up a 3,300-square-foot area in the lower level of the FLITE library building. For more about the museum, visit the website, here.

Monday, March 12, 2012 

Community Pulling for Bulldog Hockey with Great Fervor

In 11 years, Paul Weisenstein hasn't missed a Ferris State University hockey game or practice. He wears a Bulldogs jersey in the stands and holds the self-proclaimed honor of "loudest in the ice rink." Even though Weisenstein, of Big Rapids, has carefully watched the program take shape during the last 11 years, even he was surprised to see this season take off like it did, reports the Big Rapids Pioneer. Weisenstien describes this year's Bulldogs as a team without individual superstars, especially in comparison to Notre Dame and Western Michigan, who both have players drafted into the National Hockey League last season.

 

Wednesday, March 7, 2012 

Small Ferris Gets Big Lift from Hockey, Fans

It actually looks like winter at Ferris State University, where a few feet of snow are piled up near the entrance of the Ewigleben Ice Arena. A clear path is needed with sellout crowds becoming the norm for the Bulldogs, ranked No. 1 in the nation earlier this season and a legitimate threat to win the Division I national hockey championship, despite being a Division II school in every other sport, reports the Detroit News in its front section. "Everyone's asking, 'Where's Ferris State?' Now, we're putting our name on the map," said Ferris State sophomore defenseman Scott Czarnowczan of Macomb. "We're making a name for ourselves, and it's exciting." Read the full story, here.

February 2012

Weekend, Feb. 25-26, 2012 

New Owner of Holiday Inn to Put $4 Million into Facility by 2013

While many changes are in store for the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Big Rapids, the hotel's working relationship with Ferris State University and the surrounding community will stay largely the same. Ferris has owned the facility since 1990, reports the Big Rapids Pioneer. Last week, Ferris' Board of Trustees approved entering into a sale agreement with Suburban Inns.The property was on the market for about a year, and Suburban Inns hopes to take ownership by June. For more on this news, visit here.
 

Weekend, Feb. 25-26, 2012 

Ferris to Sell Holiday Inn, Renovate Facility at GRCC

Ferris State University entered into an agreement to sell its Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center to Grand Rapids-based Suburban Inns after approval from the Board of Trustees at a special meeting on Friday, reported the Big Rapids Pioneer. The board also approved spending $1.4 million on a Molecular Diagnostics lab renovation project in a space Ferris leases at Grand Rapids Community College.
 

Friday, Feb. 24, 2012 

Friends of Ferris Annual Dinner Set for Friday, Feb. 24

The Ferris State University Board of Trustees on Friday approved a $1.4 million project to renovate laboratory space it rents from Grand Rapids Community College, reports the Grand Rapids Press. “We are entering into an agreement with GRCC that will allow us to complete a necessary renovation for a new Molecular Diagnostics program that we’re very excited about here at Ferris,” Jerry Scoby, vice president for Administration and Finance at Ferris, said in a statement. Read more, here.

Ferris to Sell Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center to West Michigan Hotelier

Ferris State University is selling its 118-room Holiday Inn and Conference Center to Grand Rapids-based Suburban Inns, reports the Grand Rapids Press. The new owners plan to spend $4 million to remodel the exterior and interior of the 22-year-old property adjacent to the Ferris campus, said Peter D. Beukema, chief operating officer of Suburban Inns. Read more, here.

 

Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 

Friends of Ferris Annual Dinner Set for Friday, Feb. 24

Ferris State University alumni and supporters will gather together on Friday to raise money to advocate for the Big Rapids-based university, reports the Big Rapids Pioneer. Nearly 300 people are expected to attend the 23rd annual Friends of Ferris dinner and auction fundraiser, which will be held at 6 p.m. at the Holiday in Hotel and Conference Center in Big Rapids. Friends of Ferris is a political action committee that advocates for Ferris and the community.
 

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 

Ghost Confirmed in Ferris' Alumni Building

No one knows who the ghost is or why he chose to haunt the Alumni Building at Ferris State University, but a team of experts confirmed Tuesday night that he exists, reports the Big Rapids Pioneer. The Michigan Area Paranormal Investigative Team provided evidence that explained off occurrences staff members have witnessed in the Alumni Building, the oldest building on campus. MAPIT performed an investigation last summer and presented its findings at an Entertainment Unlimited event on Tuesday. The event was also sponsored by the History Task Force. For more information about the event, click here.
 

Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 

Ferris State University Pharmacy Center Emphasizes Hands-on Learning

Ferris State University will unveil its new pharmacy center in downtown on Friday, a $9.9 million investment located in the heart of the city’s Medical Mile that administrators say will give students a new level of hands-on learning, reports the Grand Rapids Press on MLive.com. The College of Pharmacy Center for Innovational Learning, located on the seventh floor of 25 Michigan St., aims to tap into the area’s bustling medical industry and create partnerships that would place students alongside professionals from throughout the medical industry. Read more, here.

 
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