Hans Hess Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree

from Ferris State University

On May 5, 2001, Hans Hess, president, chief executive officer and managing director of the board of Leica Geosystems Holding Ag was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Business and Industry from Ferris State University.  President William Sederburg conferred the degree upon Dr. Hess during the graduation ceremonies held on the Ferris campus.
	Dr. Hans Hess addressed the graduates and their families.  He discussed the importance of the global economy and how businesses must position themselves in this new economic order.  He also talked about the importance of not losing sight of the customer as the company gears up to meet these new global challenges.
During the reception held for Dr. Hess after the graduation ceremonies, he was presented with an American version of the Swiss army knife.
	Because of the support of Leica Geosystems and its predecessor company, Wild Heerbrugg, to surveying and mapping education worldwide and to Ferris in particular, President Sederburg acknowledged Dr. Hess with a Phoenix Society membership.  Also shown  in this picture are Professor Carl Shangraw, Surveying Department Chair, and Dr. Khagendra Thapa, Professor in the Surveying Engineering Department.
Dr. Hess and Dr. Sederburg are shown talking about the days proceedings while Professor Shangraw listens in.
	Tim Platz, president of the Burt and Mullett Ferris student chapter of the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping and the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors, presents Dr. Hess with a plaque to acknowledge the support that Leica Geosystems has given the Surveying Engineering Department
Dr. Sederburg and Dr. Hess are shown commenting on the plaque presented to Dr. Hess by the students in the Surveying Engineering Department.