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President's Letter |
Ferris State University is growing. For the first time in our history, the University enrolled more than 13,000 students this fall. We are seeing growth system-wide - on our Big Rapids campus, in Grand Rapids at FSU-GR and Kendall College, in our other learning centers throughout Michigan and online. These are also our best prepared freshmen, with better high-school grade point averages and higher ACT scores than any previous incoming class. Together with this record enrollment we are also celebrating the best student retention rate in our history. Students choose Ferris State University because we offer state-of-the-art cutting edge degrees. An example of this is our new Information Security and Intelligence degree (see page six for more about this new program). Our extraordinary faculty distinguish themselves in their disciplines. Biology professor Jim Hoerter just finished a research project supported by the National Institutes of Health and is currently conducting research in Dublin, Ireland, under the auspices of the Fulbright Foundation. Professor of Pharmacognosy Robert Krueger is spending this semester working with the Council for Responsible Nutrition on the science, education and understanding of herbal, botanical and other natural product supplements. Professor of Geography Renato Cerdena recently returned from the Philippines where he researched an intestinal snail that makes millions sick. He is using geographic computer images shot from space to determine the geological factors that play into the snail’s ability to flourish. These and other projects by our faculty allow students to engage in learning that gives them hands-on experience in their fields. This is at the heart of the education we provide. Toward this end, we are engaged in a campus-wide modernization project to renovate our learning facilities. This project is impressive in the physical changes it is making possible, but these are more than cosmetic changes. We are increasing the potential for classrooms (and other spaces) to be an environment where students are active participants in learning. This is an incredibly exciting time at Ferris State University. Exciting, even though we face the challenge of keeping education affordable; the challenge of campuses providing the support students need not just to succeed, but to excel; and the challenge of disciplines advancing so rapidly that course content must rapidly change to avoid obsolescence. Or maybe it’s exciting precisely because of these challenges. Our enrollment figures suggest that we are on the right track in addressing these issues. As alumni and friends of the University I hope you, too, will remain engaged by joining the Alumni Association, expressing your support for higher education, and creating scholarship opportunities for deserving students. In whatever way you choose to support Ferris and access to higher education, I thank you on behalf of our entire University community. Sincerely, David L. Eisler |
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