2009 Foundation Benefit

Actress and author Jane Seymour will be featured
at the 11th Annual Foundation Benefit

The 11th annual Foundation for Excellence Benefit will be held at a new location this year - the JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids - on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009.

To add to the excitement of a new, beautiful venue, this year's featured guest will be award-winning actress Jane Seymour. She has showcased her talents on the Broadway stage, in motion pictures, and on television, with her Golden Globe-winning role as Dr. Michaela Quinn on "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." Seymour's film credits include the iconic James Bond film Live and Let Die and the cult classic Somewhere in Time. She recently co-starred in the hit comedy film Wedding Crashers alongside Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn as well as in the comedic feature Blind Dating. Fulfilling her lifelong dream to dance, and overcoming a serious back injury, Seymour took the dance floor by storm, appearing on the phenomenal sensation "Dancing with the Stars." Seymour is also an established author. Among her books is the autobiographical Remarkable Changes: Turning Life’s Challenges into Opportunities, profiling her own and 20 personal stories of others who have experienced positive transformation in the face of life-changing crisis.

In addition to her busy life of acting, writing, designing and painting, and mothering six children, Seymour is a dedicated activist for a number of charities seeking to improve children’s lives around the world and has been actively involved in charitable endeavors for more than 25 years. She serves as the honorary chairperson for City Hearts, an organization that enriches the lives of inner-city children and disadvantaged youths by teaching and involving them in arts programs including painting, dancing, photography and acting. Seymour is an International Ambassador for Childhelp, a national organization dedicated to the research, treatment and prevention of child abuse. In addition to winning that organization's "Woman of the World" Award, she has also the recipient of many other honors for her social and charitable achievements.

Individual tickets are $250.

Sponsorship Information:

Platinum Sponsor – $10,000

• 20 tickets
• Named on all advertising for the event (print ads, radio ads, etc.)
• VIP reception with Jane Seymour
• Inside cover recognition in printed program
• Stage-front seating and special table signage

Gold Sponsor – $5,000

• 10 tickets
• VIP reception with Jane Seymour
• Priority placement in printed program
• Priority table seating and special table signage

Silver Sponsor – $3,000

• 4 tickets
• VIP reception with Jane Seymour
• Recognition in printed program
• Priority table placement and special table signage

Table Sponsor – $3,000

• 10 tickets
• Recognition in printed program
• Priority table placement and special table signage

Bronze Sponsor – $1,500

• 2 tickets
• Recognition in printed program

Proceeds from the Foundation for Excellence Benefit promote excellence among Ferris students, faculty and staff through the Foundation for Excellence Scholarship program, Exceptional Merit Grants program and other University endowments.

Click here to order tickets.