2008 Foundation Benefit

Author Mitch Albom was the featured speaker
at the 10th Annual Foundation Benefit

Woodbridge N. Ferris had a vision nearly 125 years ago of education for all the people. Today, his vision stills burns strong through the Ferris Foundation, which raised just more than $101,000 for faculty/staff merit grants and student scholarships during its 10th annual Foundation for Excellence Benefit.

In 2008 alone, five faculty and eight students benefited from grants and scholarships provided through The Ferris Foundation. Through the generosity of more than 500 university supporters at the benefit held in November, the Foundation will be able to continue to support Ferris’ mission.

“Since the University was founded by Woodbridge N. Ferris nearly 125 years ago, its mission has been about providing opportunities for students,” said Foundation Chair-Elect Dick Shaw. “Through the generosity of donors and the work of the Foundation, the dream of an education becomes a reality for current and future Ferris State University students.”

Also highlighted during the 2008 benefit was the recipient of the first Ferris Humanitarian Award, Ron Mahoney (Pharmacy – ’59). Mahoney, a native of Standish, was recognized for his outstanding contributions of service during the war in Vietnam as an artillery battalion surgeon and village doctor, as well as his current outreach activities in the rural cardiac clinics he established to serve low-income patients in the outlying communities of Houston, Texas.

The Ferris Foundation manages and increases the university’s privately funded resources that benefit students through endowed scholarships and grant funding, as well as prudent stewardship and strong advocacy.

For more information or to make a gift, please contact the Ferris Foundation at (231) 591-2365 or fsufdn@ferris.edu. Details about establishing scholarships or endowments may be obtained from the Advancement Office at (231) 591-3825.