PHOTO CAPTION (ABOVE): Incoming Ferris State University freshman Destiny McKee of
Flint, Michigan (second from right) is joined by her father McRecco Jr.; sister, Marecca;
mother, Clara (left to center); and brother, McRecco III (right), as the family attended
an orientation session Monday, June 11 at Ferris’ University Center. SECOND CAPTION (BELOW): Junior Katelyn Peer of Muskegon, a student in Ferris State
University's Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement program handed out an information packet
during an orientation session in the University Center.
A schedule of 13 orientation sessions offered prior to the start of Ferris State University’s
2018-19 academic year began Monday, June 11 in Big Rapids. The first of the sessions,
hosted in the University Center building, was an opportunity for incoming freshman
Destiny McKee, of Flint, to show her family the Ferris campus.
“I enjoy the feel of Ferris. There are things I have noticed that remind me of my high school (Bentley, in Burton, Michigan)” McKee said. “I am both nervous and excited since it is hard to say what it will be like being away from my parents, my brother and my sister.”
Destiny’s mother, Clara; father, McRecco; sister, Marecca; and brother, McRecco III, were also on hand for the orientation session.
McKee intends to pursue a degree in Medical Laboratory Science and has been a dual-enrolled student for two years through Mott Community College, in Flint. She will be living in Henderson Hall and signed up to have a private room, sharing a bathroom with a suitemate.
“I have already talked with her (suitemate),” McKee said. “I think we will have a relatively easy transition from high school to college life, at Ferris.”
Ferris administrators and staff assist the orientation process and answer questions
from incoming freshman and transfer students, and family members. The Office of Admissions
has 
recruited its largest roster of student orientation leaders, in recent years, to support
incoming students and families. Katelyn Peer, of Muskegon, a junior studying Criminal
Justice/Law Enforcement, said student orientation leaders are well-prepared to do
their part to make each session successful for new students.
“I learned a great deal about myself, facts and the history of Ferris, and the Big Rapids community during our training,” Peer said. “I love Big Rapids and consider it a home away from home. When I had my orientation, I got a very positive vibe about the university.”
Peer distributed information packets to new students as they checked in for orientation.
“I really hope to make each student I meet feel comfortable here, and help them to be aware of the variety of events and other opportunities that are available to them on campus,” Peer said. “That might encourage them to consider joining a group or be active in the Ferris community and become a more successful student.”
The orientation schedule continues with three sessions per week the weeks of June 18, July 9 and July 16. A final session will be offered Thursday, Aug. 23, with the Fall 2018 semester beginning on Monday, Aug. 27. Approximately 2,000 new Ferris students are expected to take part in these events.