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During your time at Ferris, maybe you stayed in Vandercook Hall, studied in Johnson Hall or took in a play at Williams Auditorium. Those names we see on campus are such a part of the landscape that we often forget they're named for people who played important roles in University history and development.
There are 33 buildings on campus named for individuals or families. Here are a few whose actions not only contributed to Ferris' growth, but also to the political and cultural history of the state and nation.
Williams Auditorium (1962)
Originally named Starr Auditorium, the University renamed the building in 1986 after former Michigan Gov. G. Mennen "Soapy" Willliams. As Michigan governor, Williams accepted Ferris as a state school in 1950. Two years later Williams (wearing his trademark green and white polka-dot bow tie) made the cover of Time magazine. Under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, Williams served as assistant secretary of state for Africa. He later served on the Michigan Supreme Court, achieving chief justice status. His maternal grandfather founded the Mennen brand of products (now marketed by Colgate-Palmolive), giving rise to Williams' popular nickname.
Starr Educational Center (1962)
Governor Williams' first job in Michigan was as an assistant attorney general under Raymond Starr ('07), who was instrumental in the transformation of Ferris into a state institution. Starr also served as Michigan's attorney general, an associate Michigan Supreme Court judge and a federal district judge. He also was the first chair of the Ferris Board of Trustees in 1950.
Vandercook Hall (1957)
Colonel Roy C. Vandercook was the original vice-chair of the Board of Trustees after Ferris became a state school in 1950. He also was instrumental in the formation of the Michigan State Police in 1917 (originally called the "Michigan State Troops Home Guard") and served as the first police commissioner. During his lifetime, Vandercook also worked as a correspondent for the Associated Press.
Johnson Hall (1959)
Like plenty of horsepower? Thank Frank Johnson (1892) who both attended and taught at Ferris Institute in the 1890s. Johnson later became an automotive engineer for Cadillac Motor Company and Ford Motor Company, where he designed improved Cadillac and Lincoln V-8 engines. He provided important financial support to the school during the Great Depression.
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(L-R) Robert Ewigleben, former Ferris president, and Lawrence Prakken help rededicate the Prakken Building in 1976.
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Ferris has named other buildings on campus for administrators, teachers, staff and benefactors of the University. Here's a quick run-down.
Named for administrators and staff members
Birkam Health Center (1957, renamed 1988)
Dr. Frederick Birkam was staff physician from 1969 to 1976 and became Chief of Medical Services in 1976.
Brophy Hall (1962)
President Byron Brophy served as president from 1946 to 1952 and oversaw the transformation of Ferris from private school to public institution.
Ewigleben Sports Complex (1974, renamed 1986)
Robert Ewigleben, who served as president from 1971 to 1984, oversaw the creation of more 40 new programs including Professional Golf Management and Optometry. The ice arena was built during his tenure, along with the creation of an NCAA Division I hockey program.
Hallisy Hall (1958)
Richard Hallisy was dean of the School of Commerce from 1954 to 1957.
Masselink Commons (1955)
Gerrit Masselink, Ferris' second president from 1928 to 1929, was vital in the creation of the Athletics program.
Merrill Hall (1961)
Karl D. Merrill ('04), both attended and taught at Ferris in commercial subjects. Merrill also was dean of Commerce, dean of men, vice-president (1937-1941) and acting president (1952).
Miller Hall (1963)
Judge William Miller ('02) served on the Board of Trustees from 1950-1962.
Prakken Building (1951, renamed 1976)
Lawrence Prakken served on the Ferris Board from 1950-1977. The educational publisher and newspaperman helped form the Michigan College of Optometry.
Rankin Student Center (1958, renamed 1972)
Donald Rankin served as dean of men (1945-1962), dean of students (1953-1968) and dean of Student Services (1969-1972). He also was mayor of Big Rapids.
Spathelf Center for Allied Health (1979)
During the tenure of President Victor Spathelf (1952-1970), the student body grew from 700 to 9,000, and the faculty increased from 70 to 550.
Swan Building (1966)
Dean Swan oversaw the creation of the School of Technical and Applied Arts in the early 1960s. He died suddenly during the building's construction.
Ward Hall (1963)
Mary Rood Ward was the dean of women from 1943-1951.
Named for Faculty
Bishop Hall (1967)
Ora Bishop taught Chemistry at Ferris from 1907 to 1920.
Bond Hall (1966)
Board of Trustees member (1961-1965) Glenn Bond was an officer at the Upjohn Company, worked on biological programs for the Navy during World War II and taught biology and other science courses.
Carlisle Hall (1957)
Long-time faculty member Charles Carlisle taught from 1892 to 1937. His subjects included elocution, physical culture and public speaking. He also helped organize the first library.
Clark Hall (1960)
Emmanuel M. Clark taught history, geography, civics, art and agriculture for 40 years. He also served as interim president (1935), business manager and dean of the College Preparatory division.
Cramer Hall (1968)
Cramer Hall, the first of the "skyscraper" dormitories, is named for William Cramer who taught botany and biology at Ferris and maintained a greenhouse in the Old Main building.
Helen Ferris Hall (1956)
Helen Gillespie Ferris, Woodbridge Ferris' wife, was one of the original instructors at the school and was instrumental in its founding.
Henderson Hall (1965)
William D. Henderson (1892) taught at Ferris from 1892 to 1902. Henderson went on to teach physics at the University of Michigan and direct its extension division.
McNerney Hall (1962)
Mary J. McNerney, faculty member for German and Latin, also coached women's basketball and served as the first dean of women.
Pennock Hall (1967)
Ebon Pennock ('16) taught commercial subjects and served on the Ferris athletic board, keeping financial records for the teams.
Pickell Hall (1964)
Dr. Charles Pickell was an early Pharmacy graduate (1905) who later served as a faculty member and dean of the program.
Puterbaugh Hall (1965)
Allen Puterbaugh taught physics and mathematics for 19 years. He also was dean of the College Preparatory program from 1944 to 1963.
Travis Hall (1961)
Bert Scott Travis (1892) returned to teach civics, mathematics and spelling at the school. He also worked in the business office and co-owned part of the school between 1921 and 1931.
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Former Gov. G. Mennen Williams signs a bill accepting Ferris Institute
as a state college in 1949, with then-president Byron Brophy directly
behind Gov. Williams. |
Named for Benefactors
Granger Center for Construction and HVACR (2004)
Alton and Janice Granger, who own the Granger Construction Company, helped fund this state-of-the art building to support the future of the construction industry. Several family members and company employees have graduated from Ferris.
McKessy House (1989)
Ferris purchased the building housing the General Counsel's office in 1989 with money donated by Gerald McKessy ('29), a respected lawyer with private practices in both Kalamazoo and Detroit. McKessy made his donation to recognize the contributions to the University of Robert N. Leach, former vice president for Alumni and Development.
Taggart Hall (1964) and Top Taggart Field (1957)
Gertrude Gates Taggart ('10) was married to W.C. "Top" Taggart ('11), who played football for Ferris as end and halfback. He went on to coach the team in 1912. The Petroleum Oil Company founder received an honorary doctorate from Ferris in 1964 and a Distinguished Alumni Award in '68. The Taggarts gave generously to Ferris and the Big Rapids community.
Timme Center for Student Services (1967)
Abigail Smith Timme attended Ferris Institute's shorthand program. She worked with her husband, Ernst Timme, on development projects. She completed her studies in 1914 but was unable to receive her degree due to an internship opportunity arranged by Woodbridge Ferris. She finally received her degree in the spring of 1972 and made a generous gift that continues to benefit the University to this day.
Wheeler Pavilion (2001)
Both Frank Wheeler ('76) and son John Wheeler ('76) applied for the same spot in Ferris' HVACR program. Frank was admitted, and John attended the Architectural Technology program. John Wheeler, a 1997 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, has contributed substantially to the University.
Additional Named Facilities
Card Wildlife Education Center (2000)
Named for benefactors Roger and Debra Card, the 5,000-square-foot CWEC is located in the Arts and Sciences Commons Building and has more than 160 specimens of animals from around the globe.
Karas Intramural Fields
Frank Karas served as an assistant football coach from 1947-60 and was the Bulldogs' head baseball coach from 1949-61. He founded Ferris' intramural program in 1947.
Santer Nature Preserve (1996)
The University honored Professor Emeritus of Geography Richard Santer by rededicating Ferris' 22-acre nature preserve in his name at the time of his retirement.
Wink Arena (1999)
Named for legendary men's basketball coach Jim Wink, the arena was once the Student Recreation Center. When the University built the Convocation Center, it became the new Wink Arena.
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