Alumni Success Stories

Scott Hinkley
Facilities Management
College of Technology
Graduated 2001

Scott Hinkley was already planning on attending Ferris State University before he knew the Honors Program was entering existence. When he learned of the benefits of belonging to Honors, his decision was solidified. He loved the idea of a hands-on and career-based college education in architectural technology with the choice of a few bachelor program avenues after the initial two years.

Now, as a 2001 Honors graduate in the Facilities Management Program, he is continuing to see the effects Honors has had on all aspects of his life.

"The Honors Program gave me more than I could have ever imagined," Scott says. "It provided the environment that I needed to be a successful student. It challenged me to be the best at whatever I set out to do."

That has not been a problem for Scott. After a competitive summer internship with Ford Motor Company at its world headquarters, Scott was hired full-time as a member of the Ford College Graduate program within FordLand, the real-estate division of the company. He was moved within the company frequently in order to experience each aspect of the FordLand operation. He is now a member of Ford's prestigious Six Sigma group of process improvement. The company has been impressed with Scott's motivation and quest for quality, much of which were enhanced by the Honors Program.

The best gift that the Honors Program gave to Scott was the opportunity to meet his wife, Sarah, who lived just two doors down the hall in Helen Ferris. Sarah graduated last May as a Doctor of Optometry and is happily employed by a private practice specializing in pediatrics and binocular vision. "I didn't come to Ferris expecting to meet a wife," he says, "but that was the cherry on top."

Scott stays active with the Ferris/Ford Alumni Association and has recently joined the Honors Alumni Advisory Board in order to help the program continue its wonderful reputation.