Alumni Calendar of Events
February 4 11 a.m. Alumni/Emeriti Luncheon at the Meadows Country Club in Sarasota, Fla.
February 9 TBA "Happy Hour" Alumni Reception in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
March 14 7:30 p.m. "Camelot" Ferris Night at the Theater in Grand Rapids
May 4 TBA Spring Reunion (1949 reunion and Distinguished Alumni Awards)
June 10 TBA Alumni Golf Outing at Treetops Sylvan Resort in Gaylord

Alumni Support Increases
Ferris State University alumni demonstrated their support for our programs and activities at a new level of generosity this year. Alumni giving has increased 100 percent from $275,239 to $543,144. Participation in the annual fund has risen 44 percent from 1,916 alumni making gifts to the University to 2,754. And the average gift has risen 39 percent from $142 to $197.

University faculty and staff followed this same trend with their provision of financial support increasing 24 percent from $56,706 to $70,215. Corporations, organizations and foundations also significantly increased their support of our efforts with increases of 56, 55 and 46 percent respectively.

"Our alumni donors and corporate and foundation partners know the value of an FSU education. Graduates are sought as employees and advance quickly in their fields," said Debra Jacks, director of annual giving. "Our alumni know that the value of their degree is influenced by the reputation of the University today. They are willing to help ensure the quality of our programs and activities through their financial support."

Alumni Scholarship Recipients
The Ferris State Alumni Association awarded seven scholarships this year to children of alumni. Alumni Scholarships are awarded each year to students who have attended two or more full semesters, have a 2.75 or better GPA and show leadership potential by being active in community and campus activities. This year's scholarship recipients are Mary Brower of Manistee, a senior in Nuclear Medicine Technology; Melanie Cook of Petoskey, a senior in Health Information Technology; Maria Colleen Giotto of Ishpeming, a senior in Accountancy/Finance; Scott Hinkley of Adrian, a junior in Facilities Management; Julie Johnson of LeRoy, a graduate student in Optometry; and Timothy Wagner of Bitely, a senior in Automotive Body.

Foundation Investments
Ferris State University and Ferris Foundation officials are pleased to report that the 1998 return on endowment investments was 20.6%. This investment performance placed the University in the top 20th percentile of College & University endowment funds as reported in the NACUBO (National Association of College and University Business Officers) 1998 endowment study.