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President's Letter |
Chance meeting puts professor's father in WWII documentary.
When professor of Dental Hygiene Linda Meeuwenberg took her father Norman Batch, a decorated World War II veteran, to Washington, D.C., to see the new WW II Memorial, she didn't expect him to end up on television. While touring the monument, Batch met a group of veterans from a nursing home in Saginaw who were taking part in the filming of a Public Broadcasting Service documentary entitled "Vanishing Voices of WWII." "My father was so engrossed in conversation that he didn't even notice he was being filmed. I introduced myself to the director, Marshall Fulmer, who is a Ferris Television and Digital Media graduate. We kept in touch by e-mail throughout the film's editing," said Meeuenberg. "This was a trip of a lifetime for us. My father was devoted to the care of my disabled mother for several years following his retirement. He would not leave his wife's side until she died in July 2004." Batch served in the Battle of the Bulge and received the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts for his service in the war. Delta College PBS station QTV premiered the film last fall and has since been broadcast on WGVU and other stations. "Vanishing Voices of WWII" looks specifically at the contributions and sacrifices of those members of the "greatest generation" from Michigan who served in the war. Another documentary about war, Clayton Rye's Ten Vietnam Veterans, made more than 20 years ago, is still being used by groups to help veterans cope with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Rye, a professor in Ferris' Television and Digital Media program, currently is arranging to have three Vietnam-related projects, including Ten Vietnam Veterans, transferred from VHS tape to DVD. Students See Themselves Exhibited at Rankin Gallery
The Rankin Art Gallery has hosted a wide variety of exhibitions during its 2005-06 season, including the juried All-Michigan, All-Media show and the annual faculty art show. Thanks to Rightminds, the American Institute of Graphic Arts student group, some emerging artists got their time on the gallery's walls. "How Do You See Yourself?" showcased student self-portraits - everything from Andy Warhol-inspired multiple images to abstract art. Nick Zalewski, Rightminds president at the time of the show, said the group left the show's theme open to interpretation. "We were hoping for a range of submissions, rather than just photos or paintings of faces," said Zalewski. "A lot of the students tried to capture something else about their personality." Several students produced work in conjunction with taking the course VISD 216, Digital Imaging. Professor Jeff Ek explained that despite the class title and all the high-tech cameras available, there was still an element of the traditional to the photos in the show. "The course required them to use a 35mm film SLR camera," said Ek. "We want them to learn how to control F-stop and shutter speed, and compose with a viewfinder." Students scan the finished photos to work on them digitally. "Composition, line, repetition, pattern -those things don't change," explained Ek. "The challenge is to find interesting subjects and give the viewer something to take away from them." That initial image as seen through the viewfinder formed the basis for the photo "Contemplative Apprehension," which Jesse Heiney and Michelle Hayward collaborated on to produce. The image relies on the original composition rather than its digital manipulation. Heiney says his studies have emphasized both the traditional and high-tech aspects of design. "Last year they had us do a lot of hands-on design, using Exacto blades and paper. This year they really have us pounding away on Photoshop, In Design and Illustrator, because that's where the field is at." In addition to their show at the Rankin Gallery, Rightminds has been actively involved in community service and travel, including a trip by about 15 members to the AIGA national conference in Boston last year. Foundation for Excellence Benefit Raises the Bar
Three hundred and seventy people attended the seventh annual Foundation for Excellence Benefit held on Nov. 4 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Mich. More than $75,000 was raised to promote excellence among Ferris State University students, faculty and staff through the Foundation for Excellence Scholarship program, Exceptional Merit Grants Award program and other University endowments. Big Rapids business owner and Ferris Foundation Chair Gary Trimarco welcomed guests to the benefit. Ronald Mehringer, assistant professor in the College of Technology and Exceptional Merit Grant Award recipient, spoke on behalf of all the merit grant award recipients and demonstrated how faculty and staff are able to pursue projects of exceptional merit that advance the mission of Ferris State University. Supporters at the benefit also enjoyed the video premiere of "Creating Opportunities, Realizing Dreams." The video highlighted several University donors and showcased scholarship recipients. It also demonstrated how students benefit from the generosity of donors who care so much about Ferris and its students. Roy Firestone was the headliner of the evening, entertaining and amusing the audience with his impressions, wit and humor. Firestone is recognized for his talents as an interviewer, journalist, commentator and stage performer. The University and the Foundation express their gratitude to the following businesses and individuals for their support: Platinum Sponsor: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, Inc. Gold Sponsors: A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.; Fifth Third Bank; Rockford Construction; Wolverine Power Marketing Cooperative. Silver Sponsors: Chevron Energy Solutions; Consolidated Vendors Corporation; Dell Inc.; David and Carol Drake; Dykema Gossett, PLLC; John and Lynda Fenn; Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc.; Huntington Bank; Ice Mountain; Independent Bank; Gary Kadlec; Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, PLC; Ken Reuther/Ford Motor Company; Saga Communications; SunGard SCT. Bronze Sponsors: Albert Kahn Associates, Incorporated; Alltel; Big Rapids Realty; Chemical Bank West; Clark Construction Company; Commercial Equipment Company; David and Patsy Eisler; Essilor of America; Fund Evaluation Group, LLC; Gary Trimarco Automotive; Gordon Food Service; Grand Rapids Community College; Griffith Builders; Hobsons; Hubbell, Roth & Clark; Isabella Bank & Trust; Lerner, Csernai and Fath Financial Group; Mercantile Bank; Mika, Meyers, Beckett & Jones, PLC; Neumann Smith Associates, Inc.; Nortel Networks; Northwest Broadcasting, Inc.; Pace and Partners; Plante and Moran, LLP; Quiznos; Rite Aid Corporation; Rogers Printing; Service Express/Utility Contracting Company; Trans-Matic Manufacturing Company; Voice Data Systems. The Ferris Foundation, through events such as the Foundation for Excellence Benefit, carries forward the message of Ferris State University's founder, Woodbridge N. Ferris, that the world improves over time through positive human action. By strengthening the University and benefiting its students through endowed scholarships, grant funding for faculty and staff, prudent stewardship and strong advocacy, Ferris State University is able to provide opportunities for students, faculty and staff that otherwise may not be available. Ferris Football Helps Tackle Cancer
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month last October, three team captains on the 2005 Bulldog football team and Head Coach Jeff Pierce met with cancer survivors at the Mecosta County Medical Center. Seniors Ryan Kaul and Jeff Williams, along with junior Mike Klobucher, visited MCMC as part of a team project to offer cancer patients support in their fight against the disease. All three players have had a mother and/or grandmother who battled breast cancer. The Athletics department also held Breast Cancer Awareness Day in conjunction with the team's home-finale against Northwood University. As guests of Athletics, breast cancer survivors were invited to attend the event, which included a pre-game tailgate provided courtesy of MCMC and University Catering. Pink ribbons - the universally recognized symbol of breast cancer awareness - as well as with fact sheets on breast cancer were handed out at the gates, and both the Ferris and Northwood football teams wore emblems on their helmets representing the ribbon. |
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