Timme Center Preserves Ferris History

On the third floor of the renovated Timme Center for Student Services (formerly the Timme Library) you’ll find such items of Ferris memorabilia as a Bausch and Lomb Model C Balopticon, the first piece of audio visual equipment the school ever bought, and an American flag that flew from the S.S. W.N. Ferris, a World War II-era Liberty Ship.

The University’s History Commemoration Task Force chaired by Harry Dempsey, associate professor of Music, has filled four showcases with such memorabilia. The items help bring to life neglected aspects of both University and cultural history.

For Dempsey, one of the most interesting items is a dance card from the Pharmic Dance on campus in 1926.

“It lists every dance that took place and what kind of dance it was. People would agree to dance certain dances and they’d record their partner’s name in the card. It’s where we get the expression, ‘having a full dance card,’” Dempsey explains. “I teach American popular music, but I never actually saw one until we came across this in the archives.”

In addition to the memorabilia, five panels of photo montages reflect changes over the years in student life, sports, the Old Main building, aerial views of campus and important moments in school history. A time-line shows the sequence of those important events, and a President’s wall displays ink portraits of all the school’s presidents by artist Michael Peters.

Dempsey and display subcommittee members Jennifer Ditto, Mark Hill, Larry Martin and Mary Kay MacIver continue to look for donations of objects relating to University history. Committee members along with graphic designer Karen Blanzy work together to illuminate University history.

“We’re sure that people have this type of memorabilia around that they probably think has little value, but to us would be priceless.”

Alumni with articles of historical interest can contact Dempsey at (231) 591-2539 or dempseyh@ferris.edu.

 

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