David Perez, a native of Holland, a member of the Promesa Scholars program at Ferris
State University, a founding member of the Upsilon Epsilon chapter of the Lambda Kappa
Sigma fraternity and the inaugural president of the United Greek Council graduates
from the university as the Spring 2020 semester concludes. Perez, who will earn a
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology, will become a production
support engineer with Gentex, in Zeeland.As a student at Holland’s West Ottawa High School, David Perez took a relatively simple
stride to start a series of opportunities and experiences that started him toward
graduating from Ferris State University in Spring 2020. Perez sees himself well prepared
to begin his professional career with a major manufacturer.
“I participated in West Ottawa’s ‘Upward Bound’ program,” Perez said. “As prospective
first-generation college students, we received a great deal of assistance to support
the pursuit of higher education, which included acclimation experiences and guidance
on securing financial assistance. It gave me important perspectives on what was possible
and really helped me be ready for my next steps.”
A Holland native, Perez was accepted to Ferris and arrived in Big Rapids in Fall 2016,
ready to begin the Construction Management program. He said that some of the most
critical learning in his first year occurred outside the classroom.
“I had a conversation with my Economics professor, who told me his brother was a professional
in construction, but his career ended during the Great Recession,” Perez said. “That
made a significant impression on me, and I decided to change my major to Mechanical
Engineering Technology.”
Perez also found acceptance and support from Ferris’ Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center
and joined the first cohort of Promesa Scholars in Fall 2017.
“I came to Ferris with a high school friend; we had many of the same experiences when
we were younger,” Perez said. “Sadly, he did not take advantage of the formative opportunities
that I had and left the university after the first year. His situation had a big impact
on me; it helped me to recognize those opportunities that would keep my focus on accomplishment
and community. I am so thankful for the experiences being a scholar has brought me,
and I am proud to become one of the first dozen graduates of this great program.”
Through the Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center, Perez also found an opportunity to gain
experience in research activity and build his presentation skills.
“We were encouraged to create poster presentations, and examine issues within the
Latino community,” Perez said. “In 2018, my partner and I studied the efforts made
to retain Latina students at Ferris, with additional information on national initiatives.
We considered a variety of factors, made a presentation on our findings at a conference
held at Wayne State University, and received a scholarship from the CLS as the top
prize in a judged competition.”
Perez said the collaborative program with WSU and the Center continued last year,
with his presentation poster focused on the avocado trade, where Mexican farmers run
significant risks participating in that industry.
“It has been a valuable and rewarding opportunity to be a part of this process,” he
said. “The Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center holds a celebratory dinner after each competition,
then receives our posters, to display them in the office.”
Perez entered the Mechanical Engineering Technology program, fully intending to become
an active learner and participant in the programs available to him.
“I volunteered to join with other MET students in the ‘Adopt A Highway’ program,”
he said. “That gave me a chance to meet my classmates and get to know them better.”
Mechanical Engineering Technology Professor Chuck Drake said that his first impression
of Perez was a lasting one. They met at an event before Perez became a student in
his classes.
“He is a very upbeat and pleasant young man, with a smile that showed he connected
with people,” Drake said. “President Eisler came to the event. I encouraged David
to go and introduce himself, which he did. To make that kind of impression is valuable
and lasting, it speaks very well for David.”
Perez said that his Mechanical Engineering Technology curriculum has not always come
easily to him. He does believe that his investment in learning has been rewarded.
“I have been so impressed with the hands-on, practical applications that are woven
into our classwork,” Perez said. “The foundation in mathematical principles helps
me to understand the necessary concepts, even when I had some feelings of self-doubt.
I made a personal decision to take on each class, semester by semester, with confidence.
My instructors are great about answering questions and offering assistance, which
has made me feel victorious as I complete the requirements for my degree.”
The progress that Perez has made has not gone unnoticed.
“David is very attentive, can get along with everyone, and is punctual, which will
serve him very well as a professional,” Drake said. “He can be counted on.”
Perez added that he was able to select elective classes that have broadened his learning
in preparation for the start of his career.
“I did course work in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, along with a class
in the Welding program,” Perez said. “I believe these experiences have given me some
important exposure to other industries that might come into play in the future.”
Perez’s personal development while at Ferris has benefited himself and others, as
David is a founding member of the Upsilon Epsilon chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta.
“We are the first Latino-based multicultural fraternity on campus,” Perez said. “I
did not really know many people when I came up here, including those who looked like
me. I felt that, as a first-generation student, that taking part would help me be
confident to pursue growth opportunities and develop wider cultural considerations.”
Perez has held a variety of executive board and leadership positions each semester
for Sigma Lambda Beta, including treasurer of their Community Service committee, and
vice president of the chapter.
Summer 2019 presented Perez a pivotal opportunity, through an internship with Gentex
in Zeeland. The maker of automotive mirrors, window units for aviation, fire protection
equipment and lighting for the medical field had Perez working on the production floor
of their plant.
“I had rotations in electrical engineering, quality engineering and production, but
I was brought in as a manufacturing engineering intern,” Perez said. “I was focused
on industrial engineering and continuous improvement on the plant floor.”
He was encouraged by the internship experience, both in daily work on the production
floor and through his department’s weekly improvement meetings.
“It is a real shared learning opportunity,” Perez said. “If you have an idea and want
to see it through, you’re given the opportunity to pursue and develop that concept.”
Perez added that he has a mixed sense of pride and conflict, as he concludes his service
as president of the recently established United Greek Council.
“While Ferris has a Panhellenic Council, and has enjoyed the presence of historically
black fraternities, this organization is geared to gather and represent the more multicultural
organizations on campus,” Perez said. “It has been a great deal of work, but we are
very proud to have reached our goals during this first year. By the same token, the
COVID-19 pandemic has taken our group off-campus. We had programming to close out
the Spring 2020 semester that could not be offered to the university community. We
are still meeting virtually, working hard to keep a positive attitude and maintain
our vision for the future.”
Finally, there is excitement for Perez, as he is weeks away from beginning his career
with Gentex as a production support engineer.
“My role will be to expand on the day-to-day metrics of production on the plant floor,”
he said. “Succeeding in continuous improvement initiatives will be the focus of my
position, and I am very much looking forward to it.”
Drake said Perez has every reason to look at his achievement with pride as the soon-to-be
graduate confidently moves to the corporate world.
“I am sure he will do well at Gentex,” Drake said. “His position puts him in direct
contact with people, where can use his considerable abilities to get along with others
to benefit Gentex, his associates and himself.”
Perez said that while he is making a significant mark for his family by graduating
from Ferris, their story and connection with campus will continue.
“I am extremely happy with my education at Ferris, which is the result of hard work
by my parents, Juan and Maria,” Perez said. “They have supported me through and through,
which has taught me a lot. The youngest of my three brothers, Edgar, is ready to come
to Ferris next fall. We are excited to continue our family story with the university,
as he begins his learning, and I join my peers in the Alumni Association. I am so
proud to be a Bulldog, and receiving this education was truly an honor.”