FERRIS STATE ATHLETES "BETTERING THE COMMUNITY"

Below are a few short thank-you notes recently received by department and university personnel regarding student-athletes and teams at Ferris State. If you have a story of your own that you would like to add, please email Associate Athletics Director Jon Coles at colesj@ferris.edu and we will add yours to this list.

Ferris State Student-Athletes Truly Are "Bettering The Community"

• What a hoot!! The kids had a GREAT time with the FSU athletes. It was like we had superstars on the premises. I don't know if your young men realize the impact of their presence. They are big and strong and fast ... and cool. We had some very IN AWE middle schoolers that day. Thank you for sending them over. It was truly a great experience for our kids. We look forward to your continued sharing activities with us in the future.
  Submitted by Lenore Weaver, Big Rapids Public Schools

• On Feb.6, your basketball team visited the Hillsdale McDonald's for breakfast. While they were there, my mother was there also with some lady friends celebrating her 87th birthday. Someway, these young men heard this and they began singing Happy Birthday to her. This really was very special to her for many reasons. One being that our youngest son, Ben Jones graduated from Ferris State, in 2003 from the GM Automotive Program. Ben was very close to"Grandma Chickie", when he lost his life in 2005 in a car accident and it was very difficult for all of us. I want to thank you and your team for making this a very special day for my mom. You have a great team of young men. Please pass on our appreciation to them for us.
  Submitted by Nancy Jones

• I received the most fabulous telephone call last Friday afternoon and need to share it with you. Sue Glover called to relay a story from her elderly parents. They were traveling and stayed at the same motel as the Ferris men's and women's tennis teams last week in Indianapolis. Apparently the breakfast area was full when this couple walked in. The coach jumped up, found seating for them and helped them. A little later, another couple walked in and received the same kindness. These people were so impressed that they shared with Sue, who was so touched by the gesture that she called our office - choking back tears (which, of course, made me cry). I expressed gratitude that she would take the time to call and told her that our coaches not only teach their sport, but teach courtesy and civic engagement to our students. She said that our tennis coaches certainly lead by example. We are so fortunate to have good people all around us! The good Ferris name lives on ...
  Submitted by Elaine Kamptner, FSU Executive Secretary to the President

• On behalf of myself, the staff and board of directors of Project Starburst, I would like to thank you for your very generous donation. Your support helps to maintain services to our most needy neighbors. Thank you for making a positive difference in our ability to offer much needed services to needy families in Mecosta and Osceola Counties.
  Submitted by Mary Doran, Project Starburst

• Thank you for your support in the planning and advertising of the inaugural Blues and BBQ festival. Because of your help, we had over 500 people in attendance despite the rain and raised $2,300 for need-based scholarships. Many of those in attendance were community members and I did not speak to a single person who did not have a great time. Without your help, this could not have been possible. Thanks again and I hope next year will be even better.
  Submitted by Joe Viviano, Blues & BBQ Festival

• Thank you so much for helping our group. We were able to raise awareness for the relay and over $1,000 between the raffle and shirt sales. We appreciate the opportunity to be able to generate awareness of cancer-related issues. Thank you for the opportunity and we look forward to any that may exist in the future.
  Submitted by FSU Colleges Against Cancer

• The Festival of the Arts has become a wonderful event for our University and the local community. Thank you for taking time to support, guide and facilitate this year's Festival of the Arts. Your efforts combined with the efforts of so many in our Ferris community helped make this a truly extraordinary experience. We look forward to next year's Festival as we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of Ferris State University. On behalf of everyone in our campus community, thank you for your work with the Festival of the Arts.
  Submitted by David L. Eisler, Ferris State University President

• We thank you and the basketball players for their participation in our activity night last Friday. Your players conducted themselves very well. It's been my tendency to 'overplan' gym activities during these nights, and I left it very flexible for the kids this year. Your guys did great. Thanks again.
  Submitted by Jeff Kigar, Big Rapids Public Schools

• I am writing to express thanks for the generosity and stewardship you have shown through your contribution of $1,028.00 to the Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation, Susan P. Wheatlake Cancer and Wellness Fund. Through your donation, we will build a strong and effective means for supporting the healing mission of MCMC. It is especially gratifying to know that a valued friend, such as yourself has chosen to be an active partner in this enterprise. We will work all the harder to make certain that the MCMC Foundation creates the maximum benefit from your gift on behalf of our community's health resource. Again, many thanks for your thoughtful generosity.
  Submitted by Tom Hogenson, Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation Public Relations Manager

• Thank you for organizing the volunteer effort with your football and hockey programs to help us move during our renovation. The young men who helped us out were fabulous workers. They offered their assistance when we move back as well. Thanks again.
  Submitted by Pat Heeter, Artworks

• Just wanted to drop you a note to say how much fun the group of people had when we came up to the Ferris State-Michigan hockey game back in February. Our group of people consisted of six alumni (of the eight parents) and our kids had so much fun at the game. It is great to see that the University and the hockey program continue to grow and become great institutions. Our group had so much fun that we are planning to do it again this year (schedules permitting due to the boys hockey schedule). They now want to stay for both games of a weekend, not just one game. It should also be noted that the alumni who returned were very impressed. A couple of them had not been back in years and were truly proud to see the changes that had been made.
  Submitted by Craig Lisko, Former FSU Hockey Student-Athlete and Ascension Health Information Services Project Manager

• I just wanted to send you and your girls a short e-mail to say “Thanks!” You folks put on an awesome one day camp for these girls. My daughter, Makenna, learned a ton and really enjoyed herself. We were fortunate to bring two other girls with us for the day and they were delighted to have gone as well. We so appreciated that you were able to be on the field offering one on one instruction for them. You seem to have a team of girls behind you that are second to none. They all carried themselves very professionally and were so good working with the younger set. It is always nice to see young women take an active and positive role in working with younger girls. I know that Makenna came away with a great deal more than just softball skills from the day. She talked about wanting to attend college and “be like those older girls”. Having graduated from Ferris I was so proud of my fellow Bulldogs! Again, what a great clinic you ran and what great role models you have there! Way to go and thank you.
  Submitted by Denneen Smith, Little Traverse Bay Bands Social Services Program Director

• Thank you so much for the donation of 110 items of food, which was received by the Manna Pantry on June 3rd. Although you contributed the food to a local elementary school, please rest assured that the food will go to a needy family. We serve 80-100 families a month, the majority of which have children. Thanks for your help in feeding the hungry of Mecosta County.
  Submitted by Isabel Kenyrton, Pantry Coordinator