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President's Letter |
Ferris Offers Unique Security and Intelligence Degree
The degree originates from the work of ISI professor Greg Gogolin, whose work with databases evolved into interests in business intelligence, visual analysis and information security. The new degree a collaborative effort between Ferris and security and intelligence organizations including the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Defense bridges the gap between the needs of the security, intelligence and law enforcement communities. “This degree is an example of the forward-thinking creativity of our faculty,” said Thomas Oldfield, interim vice president for Academic Affairs. According to Gogolin, while there is great demand for the degrees offered in law enforcement or defense, the more significant long-term potential may exist with corporations, which own 85 percent of the United States’ critical infrastructure. “The rise in white collar crime reflects the need for a program such as this,” said Donald Green, vice chancellor and dean of Ferris-Grand Rapids, where the degree is based. As part of the program, students take a series of core courses that include information security, data mining, geographic information science (GIS), visual analysis, computer forensics and risk analysis. Students choose a concentration from a variety of areas including digital forensics, national security or intelligence. The degree is rounded out with study that includes foreign language, religion, communications, and legal and ethical issues. Students began enrolling for the new degree program this fall. For more information, visit isi.ferris.edu. Internship Brings Student to Campus in Style
Ross toured the country with the vehicle this past summer as a promotion for Miller Electric Mfg. Co., a leading worldwide manufacturer of arc welding equipment and related systems. The tour included at stop at Ferris this past August. Miller Electric sponsored the roadster, which was built in 2005 as a promotion for the company’s Dream Weldshop sweepstakes, a celebration of the do-it-yourself welder. The goal was to produce not just a hot rod that would turn heads, but to build it with the same equipment available to the average do-it-yourselfer. The Learning Channel’s program “Rides” dedicated an entire episode to the building of the roadster. Additionally, the Welding Engineering Technology department hosted the Miller Welding and Cutting Exposition this past September. The exposition featured presentations in Ferris’ welding lab organized and run by Ferris alumni currently working for Miller. Miller also conducted both basic and advanced seminars for Ferris Welding students and held interviews for internships and full-time positions. Ferris, Bata Plastics, Unite to Promote Recycling
“This is a big win-win situation,” said Bob Speirs, Plastics and Rubber Engineering Technology department chair and professor. “It’s important to recycle rather than clog up a landfill.” A Bata-sponsored plastics recycling center will enable materials from student course work and class assignments to be recycled. For Bata President and CEO W. Lee Hammond, who is also a board member of the Michigan Recycling Coalition, being ‘green’ is more than just a business venture, it’s a passion. “One of the important things here is that students also are learning how to recycle for future generations,” said Hammond. Bata Plastics is the largest plastics recycler in west Michigan, one of the top five in the state and is nationally ranked by Plastics News. The recycling center sponsorship is an addition to a plastics endowment, which promotes the enhancement of the Plastics curriculum by supporting faculty development and student work. “This partnership is in keeping with the practical nature of Ferris State University and its programs,” Speirs added. “We’re giving our students real-world knowledge on how important sustainable materials are for the environment.” Ferris Dedicates, Renames, IRC
“With state-of-the-art classrooms and the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning, the IRC is a wonderful example of the support we provide for our vision of being a learning-centered university,” said Ferris President David Eisler. “It also facilitates continued learning outside of class, something we believe is very important. For Big Rapids, this project is an example of our continued growth and our vision for the future.” Constructed in 1969, the building was originally named the Audiovisual Center and was divided into an instructional wing and a two-floor service wing of studios, offices and other spaces. During Homecoming weekend in 1970, both the Audiovisual Center and the newly constructed Business Building held an open house to demonstrate such state-of-the-art features as a television studio, multimedia auditoriums, and media and graphics production area. In 1987, the School of Education moved into the newly renovated Bishop Hall. The building name changed to the Instructional Resource Center. Before the current renovation, the building had never undergone substantial revisions. The building was repaired in 1998 following damages from a freak October tornado. |
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