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Year of the Dawg

Year of the Dawg
Governor—Dawg Gone Global

       A pack of bulldogs has gone wild in Mecosta County, and no one is complaining.
       The inventively painted 3’x 4’ fiberglass “Bulldawgs” were first unleashed during the Riverdays Festival in Big Rapids on September 1, 2008, before spreading out – with the help of sponsorships – to find their own turf.
       The Year of the Dawg is an art project spearheaded by the 2008 class of Leadership Mecosta – a program which champions local resources, and promotes leadership and community service. The works of art are currently on display in Big Rapids and Mecosta County through August of this year. In October the “sponsored” Dawgs will be auctioned off online (except for those already “adopted” by their owners), with proceeds benefitting Leadership Mecosta; helping to provide art opportunities for area children though Artworks gallery; and supporting the Youth Attention Center, which provides counseling, temporary shelter and other services for at-risk court and state ward youth.
      
Year of the Dawg
A Seasoned Dog
By using the dawgs, the project highlights the close “town and gown” relationship between Ferris State University, Big Rapids and surrounding communities.
       “This interactive art project not only has brought positive exposure to the area, it has also put a spotlight on the strong relationship between Ferris and Mecosta County,” said Jack Batdorff, chairman of Big Rapids-based Pioneer Group.
      
Year of the Dawg
Hero of Ferris Tails
Three dawgs are spending their year on campus thanks to sponsorships from the Alumni Association and Ferris Foundation (“Governor—Dawg Gone Global,” artists Christa Walker, Brandi Behrenwald and Carlee Benoit, pictured #1 at left); David and Patsy Eisler (“A Seasoned Dog,” artist Lisa Barnum, pictured #2 at left); and Dan Burcham, acting vice president for Academic Affairs; Rick Duffett, retired vice president of Administration Finance, and University Advancement & Marketing; Don Green, vice chancellor and dean of the College of Professional and Technological Studies; Elaine Kamptner, executive secretary to the president; Tom Oldfield, College of Engineering Technology dean; and Miles Postema, University general counsel (“Hero of Ferris Tails,” artist Laurie Lundberg Towner, pictured #3 at left)
       For more information, including a map of all the dawgs, and a complete list of adopters, sponsors and artists, visit www.yearofthedawg.com.