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President's Letter |
For the fourth consecutive year, senior students in Ferris’ Graphic Design program designed and developed identity and communications materials for the Fifth Third River Bank Run the largest 25K race in the nation with more than 11,000 participants annually. “In their Design Application class, senior students work in teams on real projects,” explains professor Linda Powell of the Graphic Design program. “They meet with clients to discuss project criteria, design and develop several proposals which respond to this criteria, work within given budget and deadline constraints, and participate in the production process. These experiences provide the students with first-hand knowledge of the professional world.” The designers worked under the creative direction of Powell and Graphic Design professor Alison Stone. Components of the event’s communications program designed by the Ferris students included the race theme, 2006 logo, identity standards including colors, typography and logo use, training apparel, application booklet, billboard and race day shirt. “The student group we had the chance to work with was incredibly professional and creative,” says Kristen Aidif, Fifth Third River Bank Run race director. Students involved in the project were Leah Day of Fremont, Nick Zalewski of Marshall, Erin Boomer of Muskegon, Amanda Schafer of Morley and Daniel Williams of Berrien Springs. Ferris Deepens Fulbright Ties
When Languages and Literature professor John Jablonski was a diplomat in Budapest in the 1980s, Hungary was a Communist country, a member of the Warsaw Pact and young people studied the Russian language to improve their lives. Today, a capitalist Hungary holds membership in NATO and the European Union, and upwardly-mobile professionals study English to advance their careers. Beyond simply learning to speak the language, they’re turning to the University of Debrecen’s technical writing program the only one of its kind in the country. Jablonski designed the technical writing course for the curriculum in 2002-03 and taught the first class in May of 2004 while on a Fulbright scholarship. This past May, Jablonski and associate professor Daniel Ding furthered Ferris’ close relationship with the U of D when they traveled to Budapest to conduct an intensive seminar for teachers. “The students there don’t necessarily want to be scholars, but they need technical and professional English skills. It’s a money-maker for them,” says Jablonski. “The idea is to go back and teach these small seminars to people who are highly motivated. The seminars will also help Debrecen design a specifically Hungarian curriculum.” U of D professor Olga Bársony, who established the program, spent the 2004-05 academic year at Ferris on a Fulbright scholarship. Jablonski has twice taught at Debrecen as a Fulbright scholar. Other current and former Ferris professors, including Phillip Middleton, Chris VanderHaar and Rheinhold Hill, have also taught or lectured at Debrecen. As a result of this collaboration, Bársony was inundated with 400 placement exams from students wanting to study in the program. Ferris’ career-oriented philosophy is helping Debrecen strengthen its business and educational ties. A technical writing firm in Budapest, which writes documentation for Nokia among other clients, provided money for computers in Debrecen’s English for Information Design program. It also provides program students with summer internships. Ferris’ close collaboration with institutions abroad facilitated by the Fulbright program doesn’t end with Debrecen. In January, Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Harris, Board of Trustees chair Art Tebo and Biology professor Phillip Watson traveled to An Giang University in Long Xuyen, Vietnam. Building upon Watson’s previous trips to teach and conduct research at An Giang, Harris signed an educational cooperation agreement between the two schools to promote faculty and student exchanges, as well as joint research, teacher preparation reform and degree completion opportunities at Ferris for An Giang students. Last April, Dr. Vo-Tong Xuan, president of An Giang University, gave the 2006 Fulbright Lecture at Ferris, co-sponsored by the Ferris Fulbrighters and the Office of Academic Affairs. Benner Named FPW Woman of the Year
Since 1982, the Ferris Professional Women have been recognizing campus leaders through its Woman of the Year award, which for the 2005-06 year honors Karyn Benner, College Day and Special Programs coordinator, Office of Minority Student Affairs. “Karyn is an outstanding role model for young women and distinguished herself this year by her extraordinary efforts,” said Jana Hurley, the 2004-05 FPW Woman of the Year. “Many of her contributions related directly and powerfully to the support of women’s education via the creation of the Virtual Women’s Center, Women’s History Month and participation in the Vagina Monologues. Karyn has proven to be an effective leader and a tireless collaborator.” Benner’s leadership also can be seen through her work serving as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Week Committee co-chair, among other University involvement. “If there is one woman on campus who deserves the Woman of the Year Award for 2005-06, hands-down it is Karyn Benner,” said Matt Eickhoff, Student Engagement and Activities coordinator, who nominated Benner for the award. “Karyn has dedicated innumerable amounts of time and energy to several causes that help recognize women on our campus and further women’s issues.” FPW treasurer Lisa Besemer said this year’s candidates all were phenomenal. “We have so many awesome women on this campus. We really feel fortunate to have such great women among us in the Ferris community.” The Ferris Professional Women strive to promote experience, learning and growth through networking for the organization’s members. Active membership is open to people employed at Ferris, their spouses and retirees. For membership information, contact one of FPW’s officers by visiting www.ferris.edu/htmls/othersrv/FPW/officers.htm. Ferris Receives $1 Million Dow Foundation Gift Ferris’ proposed Michigan College of Optometry and Center for Collaborative Health Education has received $1 million in funding from The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation in Midland. The gift benefits the University’s “Realize the Vision” building campaign. The 91,000 square-foot facility will support the Michigan College of Optometry’s teaching, research and patient care missions by housing an eye and vision care clinic; center for collaborative health education; laboratory, classroom and office spaces; and distance learning facilities. “This is a gift that will change the lives of people across the state of Michigan,” said President David L. Eisler. “Through the efforts of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, we will be able to educate the next generation who will help provide the highest quality eye care to citizens throughout the state. “The Dow Foundation has a wonderful history of support for Ferris State University. We both appreciate and are excited by this donation, which will help support our Optometry program, students, faculty, staff and patients,” Eisler added. Established by Mrs. Dow in 1936 in memory of her husband, The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation supports organizational missions that strive to improve the educational, religious, economic and cultural opportunities of Michigan residents. “We trustees are pleased to support this project as it will greatly help the people of Michigan,” said Foundation President Margaret Ann (Ranny) Riecker. “Ferris State University’s Michigan College of Optometry has developed a reputation over its 30-year history of providing the finest optometric training in the United States producing more than half of the practicing optometrists in Michigan.” The Michigan College of Optometry was created in 1974 in response to a need for optometrists in Michigan. As the scope of optometric practice has grown more complex, the resource and learning environment needs of faculty and students have made necessary a move to an updated facility. For more information or to make a gift to the “Realize the Vision” campaign, visit www.ferris.edu/alumni/develop/realize or contact the Ferris Foundation at (231) 591-2365 or Fsufdn@fsu.edu. Oldfield Named College of Technology Dean This past spring, Thomas E. Oldfield was named dean of the College of Technology after serving as the college’s interim dean since July 2005. “The College of Technology is a vital component of the division of Academic Affairs and Ferris State University’s mission,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Harris when announcing Oldfield’s appointment. “I believe that Dr. Oldfield’s leadership will enhance and advance the college. I appreciate his service as interim dean and look forward to continuing our working relationship in his new position.” Oldfield’s career at Ferris began in 1978 as an assistant professor. Since then, he has served as an associate professor, professor, Biological Sciences department head, assistant and associate vice president for Academic Affairs, as well as interim vice president for Academic Affairs. |
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