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President's Letter |
Ferris State University enrolled 12,578 students system-wide for fall 2006 - a record number for the school. Enrollment increased over last fall's count even as the University implemented higher admission standards in terms of grade point average and ACT scores. "This enrollment increase is a direct result of the excellence of our faculty and our academic programs," said President David Eisler. "We are very pleased with this continuing upward trend. This shows a recognition on the part of students throughout the state that Ferris provides the type of education that leads to great careers." The University saw an especially strong growth in the number of students transferring to Ferris, with 1,645 students coming to Ferris from other schools - an increase of 263 over last fall. Ferris has a new transfer office as a point of contact for students, and the University also has instituted new transfer scholarships that are attracting high performing community college students. Ferris State University has long been an innovator in offering degrees that respond to needs in the marketplace. In 1975 Ferris was the first school to offer a degree in Professional Golf Management, and in 2004 it began its very popular and academically rigorous Digital Animation and Game Design program. "In 1884 when Woodbridge Ferris founded the University, the economic challenge of the time was re-training loggers and small farmers - both men and women - who were looking for new opportunities," said Eisler. "Today, we are also in a transitional economy. I believe our enrollment figures show that more than 120 years after our founding, we offer the degrees that our students and our state need." 2006 Exceptional Merit Grants Announced
The Ferris Foundation has announced its Exceptional Merit Grants for 2006. The Foundation requested the submission of proposals from those interested in pursuing projects that demonstrate exceptional merit in advancing the mission of the University. Those receiving funding are • Chuck Drake, College of Technology, for portable acquisition equipment for use with mobile student activities • Christina Hollenbeck, University College, to provide Structured Learning Assistance program facilitators with innovative workshop tools • William Liew, College of Technology, for training and education for faculty members in advanced digital technologies • Melinda McMartin, Ferris Library for Information, Technology and Education, for the Woodbridge N. Ferris Resource Project • Gary Ovans, College of Technology, for in-class and laboratory exercises regarding measurement and use of measurement data in manufacturing processes • Piram Prakasam, College of Arts & Sciences, to improve laboratory experience for first-year students using computers • John Schmidt, College of Technology, to create a structural steel teaching sculpture • Daniel Skurski, College of Technology, for development and prototyping of SAE formula car Almost $33,000 was set aside to fund projects, which may involve such programming operating costs as travel, seed money and equipment. To date, the foundation has awarded almost $193,000 in merit grants to faculty and staff. Hockey Endowment Assists Student-Athletes
Hockey student-athletes at Ferris will soon be able to apply for the Bob and Leslie Daniels Hockey Endowed Scholarship. Bob Daniels, coach of the varsity hockey team for the last 14 years, knows what it takes to make a great team of student-athletes. "It's not easy for students in this day and age to get an education, and it certainly isn't going to get any easier," said Daniels. "My wife and I decided it was time for us to start something that would help our student-athletes and try to give them one less thing to worry about." The Big Rapids couple said they hope the establishment of the endowment will ease some of the financial burden felt by students as they try to accomplish getting an education and performing the demands placed upon them as a member of a Central Collegiate Hockey Association Division I team. The scholarship will be awarded to one or more full-time undergraduate students in good academic standing who are eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics. Recipients must be dedicated to the success of the hockey program and display the desire to constantly improve their playing abilities. Administrators, Faculty Take Part in PEP
Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Harris led a delegation of 11 faculty and academic administrators to a national Political Engagement Project conference in Snowbird, Utah, June 15-17. Through Harris' working relationship with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and its vice president for academic leadership and change, George Mehaffy, Ferris was chosen from more than 300 United States institutions as one of eight selected to participate in Phase II of the project sponsored jointly by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and The New York Times. The project aims to strengthen undergraduate education for responsible, engaged citizenship. Phase I of PEP sought to enhance student political engagement through individual courses and extra-curricular programs. Phase II seeks to achieve that goal on a campus-wide basis. PEP is part of the American Democracy Project. Harris notes that the meetings in Snowbird were scheduled to provide participating universities with an introduction to the project, plan common themes for 2006-07 and achieve a clear understanding of what each participating institution will contribute to the program. PEP encourages universities to develop teaching and research focused on increasing student political awareness and involvement. Ferris scheduled more than 30 courses for fall semester representing 16 subject areas in seven of Ferris' eight colleges. Online Game Teaches Judicial Branch Basics Wielding a gavel, Kid Justice combats robot spiders and battles evildoer Lady Anarchy and her minions who have made trouble in the Hall of Justice Learning Center. If that sounds like a video game - it is. Last summer "Kid Justice Conquers Chaos," an online game, was added to the educational resources on the Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center's Web site. The game was completed as part of a joint project with Ferris' Digital Animation and Game Design program. Developed with input from educators and legal experts, the project was funded by a grant from the Michigan State Bar Foundation. "Although the game can be used on its own, we encourage teachers to pair the game and lesson plans with a tour of the Learning Center at the Hall of Justice," said Rachael L. Drenovsky, Learning Center coordinator. The game is aligned with the Michigan Curriculum Framework's social standards for later elementary and is appropriate for classroom or home use. A companion teachers' guide with lesson plans is available through the Web site. As the game unfolds, Kid Justice, the daughter of Lady Justice, learns that someone is trying to create mischief at the Learning Center. In her search for the culprits, she encounters characters who offer pieces of evidence to solve the mystery. But first, she must answer important questions about the court system. Information is all around her, but she must find where it is hidden. "Kid Justice Conquers Chaos" is at www.courts.michigan.gov/plc/KidJustice |
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