In his autobiography, Woodbridge N. Ferris admits
that he was “born short” in terms of musical ability.
The new president of the institution Ferris founded doesn’t
have that problem. David Eisler’s impressive resume includes
having been provost and vice president for academic affairs at
Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. It also includes a Doctor
of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance.
“As part of the interview process I answered
a question from Search Committee member Jack Fleming,” says
Eisler. “He asked me, ‘What would a musician do as
the next president of Ferris?’”
“I told him there are a number of things
about being a musician that helped prepare me,” says Eisler.
“When you’re a musician, you have to learn to work
and think independently. Yet being a musician is a communal activity.
Leading musical ensembles, I had to find a way to get people with
diverse backgrounds and different interests to work together for
the common good.”
Degrees
of Similarity
Now it’s early July and Eisler is settling
into his office in the Timme Center for Student Services, three
months after being appointed president.
“In many ways the programs at Weber State
were very similar to the programs at Ferris, especially in unique
areas like applied sciences technology and the health professions,”
Eisler says, looking out toward Top Taggart Field on a morning of
brilliant sunshine.
“More broadly, the two universities have
in common a strong focus on career-oriented undergraduate education
and the laddering of degrees from associate, to bachelor’s
and master’s. I believe Ferris is a national model for how
higher education should be done. I’m very interested in continuing
to work for national recognition of this approach.”
Eisler began his career in the mid-70s at Troy
State (Ala.), becoming assistant dean of the School of Fine Arts
in 1982.
“When I started teaching at Troy State I
was 23; if I didn’t wear a coat and tie, people literally
didn’t recognize me as a faculty member,” Eisler says.
“The dean there, John M. Long, helped me adjust to the university,
and understand how to make education both practical and useful for
the students.”
Even so, when Long asked Eisler to be his assistant
dean, it took some convincing.
“Basically, I said no, I don’t want
to do this, I’m a teacher—but he was a very persuasive
man,” Eisler recalls. “Over time, I discovered that
I enjoyed shaping and building support and recognition for our programs.
Most importantly, I found great satisfaction in helping people grow
and succeed as faculty, staff and students.”
A
Good Fit
The move to Ferris was perfect for the new president
in more ways than just educational philosophy. Returning to the
state is a homecoming for both him and his wife Patsy, a native
of South Haven. She and New Jersey native Eisler met while attending
the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he completed both
a bachelor’s degree and doctorate.
Also, the couple’s two daughters have both
embarked upon their own careers.
“Our older daughter, Heather, is a Ph.D.
student in biology at Notre Dame. Our younger daughter, Lindsay,
is entering George Washington University Medical School this fall.
With both of them no longer tied to Utah, it was a perfect time
to pursue a new challenge.”
And it’s also a perfect time for a new college
president looking for a challenge to take on the position. Throughout
the country, states are reducing funds for higher education in an
effort to balance budgets. In Michigan, those cuts totaled 10 percent
over the last year.
“These are trying times for higher education,”
admits Eisler. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re
in Utah or Michigan.”
At Weber, Eisler helped raise enrollment, develop
new programs, implement new campus centers and create an online
university despite diminishing state support.
“Working together, we will find a way to
continue to build our University and provide a high-quality education
with the resources we have available,” Eisler says. “When
the economy turns around, we will be poised to grow with the state
of Michigan to meet its increased educational needs.”
Focus
on Ferris
Like many students at Ferris, the new president
was the first person in his family to go to college. Eisler emphasizes
the importance of higher education not only to the individual, but
also to society.
“A college education changes your life in
ways you couldn’t ever have imagined, but it also changes
communities,” Eisler says. “It’s vital to have
educated people prepared to meet the needs of business, industry
and society. I believe an essential part of a college education
involves giving back. This can include volunteering, service work,
internships—efforts where students get involved in the greater
community and work to make that community a better place.”
When Eisler talks about the education Ferris provides,
he talks about the contributions of its people.
“During the transition, there’s going
to be a focus on me, but it’s really not about me at all—it’s
about the people of Ferris,” he says. “This is an opportunity
to continue to move the University forward. We are going to shift
this attention to Ferris State University, the way it changes lives
and our people, who truly make this happen.”
