During the first week of June, the Ferris Presidential Bus Tour left Big Rapids to help cement the University's relationships with community colleges, the Michigan business community, alumni and hundreds of prospective students.

Since 1974, Ferris State University has taken higher education to the citizens of Michigan through partnerships with local entities, particularly community colleges. With the heightened awareness of the need for a college education and concern that the state lags the nation in baccalaureate degree holders, Ferris has expanded its efforts to offer distinctive baccalaureate-level programming in Michigan communities.

Administrators had important opportunities to discuss ideas for collaboration concerning both current and future program offerings with officials at Delta College, Schoolcraft College, Wayne County Community College District and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The bus tour raised awareness about Ferris' vital role in the Michigan economy as a learning-centered university.

Each day of the trip ended with an event for alumni at our various locations: the tri-cities area of University Center, Midland and Bay City; Metro Detroit; several stops in Detroit and the greater metropolitan area including Auburn Hills, Livonia and Dearborn; and St. Joseph and Kalamazoo.

The bus tour also helped highlight some of scholarships and programs designed to help increase the accessibility of obtaining that important baccalaureate degree.