PHOTO CAPTIONS:(Above) Ferris State University Office of International Education Executive Director
Piram Prakasam, World Affairs Council of Western Michigan Director of Programming
Erica Kubik, WCAWM Executive Director Emeritus Dixie Anderson, Ferris President David
Eisler, WCAWM Executive Director Michael Van Denend and Lisa Von Reichbauer, OIE assistant
director. (Below) Ferris State University President David Eisler (left) presented
the International Award to Dixie Anderson, Executive Director Emeritus of the World
Affairs Council of Western Michigan. Anderson received this honor during an Office
of International Education scholarship banquet on Monday, April 30. Joining Eisler
and Anderson was Ferris Board of Trustees Secretary Ana L. Ramirez-Saenz, of Caledonia
(right).
More than 120 members of Ferris State University’s faculty, staff and student body
were joined by leaders of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan on Monday,
April 30, as the council’s Executive Director Emeritus, Dixie Anderson, received the
university’s International Award.
Ferris President David Eisler presented the award to Anderson during a scholarship banquet held in the University Center Ballroom.
“Through her many years of dedicated leadership for the World Affairs Council, Dixie
Anderson has created lasting legacy for West Michigan,” Eisler said.” Her passion
for 
promoting community awareness and understanding of global issues has educated and
engaged us all on critical global issues of our time. At Ferris State University,
we are very grateful for the difference her work for the World Affairs Council of
West Michigan has made for our faculty, staff and students.”
Anderson said she values the contributions the university and its leadership have made, in support of the council’s goals.
“Ferris strives to prepare its students for our global economy and society, which is an important mission in today’s world marketplace,” Anderson said. “Our relationship with the university has been one of our most productive collaborations at the council. Gone are the days when we only competed with others across town, across the state or across the country. Ferris, along with other schools in western Michigan, is training this generation of students to compete globally. I’m so proud personally to have had the opportunity to work with Piram Prakasam, in Ferris’ Office of International Education, and his team, for so many years at the council.”
Prakasam, executive director of the OIE, said the university has benefited greatly from the speakers and events which have resulted from this association with the council.
“Dixie Anderson has been a strong supporter of Ferris State University,” Prakasam said. “Her leadership over the years, in West Michigan, has made a significant difference in strengthening our understanding of contemporary global issues that impact our interconnected world and Dixie has a been a good friend and strong supporter of our work. We are proud to have honored her in this fashion.”