Throughout Ferris State's history, the family has been the cornerstone of success for the University. Woodbridge N. Ferris founded this institution with family in mind, stating, "I was establishing a school for lumberjacks', miners', and farmers' sons and daughters"
Mine is a perfect example of the family trees that grew new branches at Ferris. The Mishlers have long been rooted in the Big Rapids community, and Grandpa Joe was a Ferris student. The Benoits (Mom's side of the family) came to Big Rapids from the Metro Detroit area. According to my grandparents, Alexander (Al) & Rosalie Benoit, "The fact that Big Rapids had Ferris was one of our largest factors leading to our move here, because to us it meant an opportunity for all of our children to attend college."
Al was the first member of our family to attend Ferris, enrolling in carpentry and machinery courses in 1970. My grandparents' vision of success through education became a reality for them. As incentive and encouragement to his offspring (and perhaps out of a touch of alumnus
Jeremy Mishler - Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
"Mine is a perfect example of the family trees that grew new branches at Ferris."
pride), Al kept his transcripts and course books and can produce them on a moment's notice.
Nine out of 12 members of the next generation of my family attended Ferris. My parents, John and Nanette, attended Ferris for degrees in Human Services and Medical Technology. Three of my father's four siblings attended Ferris as well, including his older brothers Joe and Jim (both Education), and his younger sister Kathy, who will soon graduate with her B.S. in Food Service Management. Four of my mother's six siblings can
claim Ferris as their alma mater, including Clifford (Heavy Equipment Technology), Maurice (Accounting), Rachelle and Anjanette.
By the time I was ready to choose a college, Ferris was already a strong part of my life. My father is employed as a United States pretrial service officer for the Federal Courts System; Mother is a medical technologist for our county hospital. Their success in their fields was more than enough proof for me of where a Ferris degree can take you. I enrolled in FSU's Criminal Justice program.
I made my decision not only because of the program's excellent reputation, but because the highest and most important recommendation came from an alumnus that I knew and trusted, my father. My sister, Tessa, joined me in the program in 1996; she is now a sophomore.
As the third consecutive generation to attend Ferris, Tessa and I have a clear sense of the great value that Ferris State University has to offer.
