Fellow Bulldog Alumni,

    For me, the word ‘legacy’ conjures up notions of generation and continuing purpose, which are at the heart of a university’s alumni association. The ongoing growth and success of our alma mater is a tribute to your initial choice to pursue or further your education here, as well as your efforts to share Ferris with more recent students seeking the kind of opportunities you found here.
    More and more, the Ferris legacy is quite literally becoming a family matter: children, grandchildren, siblings and cousins all following the path to success blazed by their relatives. And while I am a proud third generation Bulldog, my good friend and fellow alumnus Harper Wildern (O’03) points out that his family’s five generations dominate the legacy market. Can anyone out there top that?
    With financial support from the Alumni Opportunity Fund, the Ferris Alumni Association established a scholarship endowment designed to celebrate family legacies by providing current students whose parents, grandparents or siblings had attended Ferris with $1,000 scholarships. Since 1984, more than 100 students have benefited from this program. This year, we are pleased to announce that your generosity allowed us to assist 17 students, our largest group ever!
    Our congratulations go out to the following 2004-2005 Legacy Scholars:

• Kala Briolat of Ubley, Ornamental Horticulture
• Kristin Frandsen of Cedar Springs, Social Work
• Katie Jurecki of Ishpeming, Radiography
• Jillian Kersh of Tawas City, Pre-Pharmacy
• Steven Kieft of Grand Rapids, Computer Information Systems
• Jeffrey Leinberger or Freeland, Automotive Service Technology
• Carrie Lockwood of Rockford, Dental Hygiene
• Andres McNab of Saginaw, Pre-Optometry
• Elizabeth Miller of Sault Ste Marie, Secondary Education – Math
• Mary Miller of Sault Ste Marie, Criminal Justice
• Eric Randle of Big Rapids, Computer Information Systems
• Ryan Roberts of Burton, Biology Education
• Nick Scheible of Big Rapids, Marketing
• Eric Schuelke of Niles, Communication
• James Sonntag of Big Rapids, Plastics Engineering Technology
• Lisa Wilson of Spring Arbor, Public Relations
• Sally Wolters of Holland, Medical Record Administration

    To learn more about the Legacy Scholarship program, including scholarship criteria, application and pictures of this year’s recipients, log onto the Ferris Alumni Association online community Web site, www.ferrisalumni.org, and click Alumni Association, then Scholarship Application.
    And now the envelope please . . . And The Winner Is . . . Homecoming 2004! The Ferris Homecoming Committee and Alumni Association invite you to return to campus for an award-winning, red-carpet weekend, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22 and 23 (schedule listed on page 39). Make your plans now to come back to your campus, cheer on the Dawgs and take some time to reminisce with “Oscar,” “Brutus the Bulldog” or your favorite former roommates and friends. We look forward seeing you back in Big Rapids!

Best wishes for an outstanding fall,

Jeremy J. Mishler, E’96