• In 1884 Woodbridge N. Ferris founded an educational institution in Big Rapids to help working men and women in Michigan. The University has grown into an 880-acre campus with state-of-the-art facilities.
  
  
• Ferris was the Big Rapids Industrial School until 1899 when it was renamed the Ferris Institute. The school became a state college in 1949 and was renamed Ferris State College in 1963, becoming Ferris State University in 1987.
  
  
• 13,087 students enrolled for Fall 2007 classes, including 9,680 on the main Big Rapids campus.
  
  
• The first Ferris class in 1884 had 15 students. The University still has a ratio of one instructor for every 15 students.
  
  
• Classes are taught at all levels by professional teachers, not graduate assistants.
  
  
• Ferris students study in more than 170 different educational programs -- including doctorates, master's, bachelor's and associate degrees.
  
  
• Seven of Ferris' colleges are based in Big Rapids -- Allied Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Services, Optometry, Pharmacy, Technology, and University College.
  
  
• Ferris' College of Professional and Technological studies, and Kendall College of Art and Design are based in Grand Rapids.
  
  
• Courses are also offered at campus sites through the University's Center for Extended Learning.
  
  
• Approximately 220 student organizations are active on campus, encompassing everything from the Chess Club to Men's and Women's Rugby; Bulldog Radio to the Juggling Club; and the Dead Poet's Society to the Paintball Club. The wide range of organizations caters to students' social, athletic, political, academic, performing arts and religious activities and interests.
  
  
• Arts and cultural events, varsity athletics and an extensive intramural sports program further enrich student life.
  
  
• Ferris State University continues to be a top technical and professional institution, providing education to make its students immediately employable upon graduation.