Ferris State University's Class of 1969 (represented above) was recognized, as Golden
Eagles, during the Fall Reunion 2019 event hosted on the Big Rapids campus on Friday,
Sept. 27.
The Ferris State University Alumni Association, in conjunction with Homecoming 2019
festivities, honored four of its own as this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipients.
This year’s honorees are Pamela Curtis, of Spring Lake; Kathy Pawlicki, of Novi; Randy
Phelps, of Ada; and Luke Wyckoff, of Denver, Colorado. Also recognized at Fall Reunion
2019, on Sept. 27 in Big Rapids, were the Golden Eagles, the Class of 1969.
“Being a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award is a huge accomplishment. We are so very proud of these wonderful representatives who symbolize what it means to be a true ambassador, proudly representing the university,” said Brandi Behrenwald, Ferris’ director of Alumni Relations. “They make us proud of everything that they’ve done during their careers and through their dedication to Ferris State University.”
The Distinguished Alumni Award goes to individuals who demonstrate leadership and service to their profession, community, service organizations and alma mater.
Curtis is a Class of 1986 College of Arts, Sciences and Education alumna with a degree Social Work degree. She is the chief executive officer of Senior Resources of West Michigan, a nonprofit organization that provides services for older adults in Muskegon, Oceana and Ottawa counties. Under her leadership, Senior Resources received a three-year accreditation and reaccreditation from CARF, the international accrediting body, for its Case Management and Home and Community Services programs. She is especially proud of the growth of Senior Resources during her time as CEO, from a $10.2 million budget in 2005 to $25.7 million in 2018, and a staff of 35 to more than 100.
At Ferris, she is a longtime member and past vice chair of the Social Work Advisory Board.
Pawlicki earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1985 and is vice president and chief pharmacist with Beaumont Health in Southfield, Michigan.
She has earned numerous awards and recognitions for her work, including the Fellow of American Society of Health-System Pharmacists distinction in 2001, the Pharmacist of the Year Award from the Michigan Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists in 2004, the MSHP Joseph A. Oddis Leadership Award in 2011, and the Distinguished Service Award from the ASHP Pharmacy Practice Managers Section in 2012. In 2018, she was named Michigan Pharmacist of the Year.
At Ferris, she has served as an adjunct instructor of clinical pharmacy and provided the keynote address for the College of Pharmacy’s White Coat Ceremony in 2012 and the Hooding Ceremony in 2019.
Phelps graduated from Ferris’ College of Business, in 1981, with two associate degrees, Insurance and Real Estate, and, in 1983, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He is the principal/relationship manager of HNI Risk Advisors of Michigan. Phelps is involved with many community organizations, including serving as a board member of the Michigan Brain Injury Association. He supports March of Dimes, Hospice of Michigan and Kids Food Basket.
Phelps was a member of The Ferris Foundation Board of Directors for 20 years, an avid supporter of many Ferris events and functions. He is a Bulldog Hockey fan and is involved with the Blueline Club.
Wyckoff graduated in 1991 with an associate degree in Audio/Visual Studies and a bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Sales, in 1993, from the College of Business. After spending 12 years at Development Dimensions International (DDI), an assessment and leadership development company, he is now the founder and president of Wyckoff Consulting, an executive search firm, and the founder and chief visionary officer of Social Media Energy, the nation’s leading provider of outsourced social media and digital marketing services.
At Ferris, Wyckoff co-founded the rugby club team, was co-captain for two years of the university’s national championship debate team. He was also an event photographer and was involved in Greek life, serving as the recruitment director for the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and as president of the Interfraternity Council. He has served on the College of Business Dean’s Advisory Council and the Alumni Association board of directors. Wyckoff founded the Mile High Bulldogs, a group that annually hosts two events for Ferris alumni and friends, in Colorado. He routinely returns to campus to speak to students, faculty and staff, to share his insights on social media and career preparedness.
Ferris' 2019 Pacesetter Award recipients are Dr. Candice Colby-Scott and Michael Crowe. The Pacesetter Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership and service to their professions, community, service organizations and alma mater, and who, when nominated, have graduated within the previous 13 years.
Colby-Scott is a 2004 biotechnology graduate of the College of Arts, Sciences and Education. She later moved on to the University of Michigan School of Medicine, where she earned a medical degree and is now a board-certified Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon.
She specializes in the treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear and skull bases, with a special focus on pediatric hearing loss and cochlear implantation.
Crowe graduated from Ferris with an Associate of Science, in 2005, and earned a Doctor of Pharmacy, in 2009. In 2010, he completed his residency with Diplomat Pharmacy, and joined the company at its corporate headquarters, in Flint. For eight years, Crowe held various roles within the clinical services department.
He is currently the registered manager of general operations with Walgreens’ community-based specialty pharmacy, in Flint, and president and founder of My Pharmacist Now, PLLC.
For more information about the Distinguished Alumni Award and the Pacesetter Award, visit the Alumni Association website.
The Distinguished Alumni Award and Pacesetter Award recipients were honored during Fall Reunion, on Friday, Sept. 27 in Big Rapids. Also recognized at Fall Reunion were the John and Sue Bradac Above and Beyond Award.