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President's Letter |
Ferris State University was founded with an emphasis on access and opportunity to education for the citizens of Michigan. For Woodbridge Ferris this meant a spirit of entrepreneurship that included evening classes during the first year of the Big Rapids Industrial School. Today, through the Kendall College of Art and Design and our partnership with Grand Rapids Community College, we now teach 2,000 students in the Grand Rapids area. In addition we have long-established programs at Northwest Michigan College in Traverse City and Mott Community College in Flint. Over the past three years our efforts have expanded significantly so that we now offer bachelor degrees in twenty-five locations across the state and provide numerous opportunities through the Internet. With the heightened awareness of the need for a college education and a concern that Michigan lags the nation in baccalaureate degree holders, Ferris offers unique educational options for place-bound students. This past June, the Presidential Bus Tour traveled around the state emphasizing our relationships with community colleges, the Michigan business community and alumni. The reception we received at each stop was truly gratifying. Each tour day included events with alumni in the tri-cities area of University Center, Midland and Bay City; Detroit and the greater metropolitan area including Auburn Hills, Livonia and Dearborn; and St. Joseph and Kalamazoo. I always enjoy meeting and re-connecting with you, hearing about your successes, and gaining a better appreciation for Ferris through the powerful stories of your University years. It is you, our Alumni, who know best the difference a Ferris education makes. Because we award many associate degrees and have many well-established programs that ladder these students to bachelor degrees, our University understands and provides special opportunities for transfer students from community colleges. This fall we began four new scholarships for undergraduate transfer students. They offer from $1,500 to $2,700 per academic year or in-state tuition for non-resident or international students, helping more students experience the opportunities for success a Ferris education provides. This summer has been one of the most dynamic in recent memory. Interest in summer semester has continued to grow, with record enrollment. Our campus has truly never looked better. Improvements and additions including the Ferris Library for Information, Technology and Education, the Granger Center and the Timme Center for Student Services combined with the stellar work of Clare Kwant and everyone who works to maintain the grounds, makes our campus a welcoming place. The article “Campus Beautiful” in this issue, gives some insight into what it takes to make the Ferris campus the attraction it is. I encourage you to visit us and see these changes firsthand. Thanks so very much for your continued help and support of students, people and programs at Ferris State University. Sincerely, David L. Eisler |
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