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The Board of Trustees Approves New Academic Programs, New Foundation Director and Board Officers

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The Ferris State University Board of Trustees met on Friday, Dec. 16, on the Big Rapids campus to approve a slate of items at its regular and biennial meetings.

On the eve of Fall 2022 commencement ceremonies, the Ferris State University Board of Trustees approved a new member of The Ferris Foundation’s Board of Directors, a new academic program for Kendall College of Art and Design and elected its next officers at its biennial meeting and more on Friday, Dec. 16 in Big Rapids.

At its regular meeting, trustees approved Michael J. Van Diepenbos, of Cascade, as the newest member of The Ferris Foundation’s Board of Directors. Van Diepenbos, an alumnus, earned an associate degree in Architectural Technology from the College of Engineering Technology in 1987. Later he shifted to the College of Business and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1989. Van Diepenbos received a Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance, from Western Michigan University in 1994.

On the academic front, the trustees approved a new Associate of Fine Arts in Studio Art and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art at Kendall College of Art and Design. Currently, KCAD offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Drawing; Printmaking, Sculpture and Functional Art; and Painting. This program group has collaborated to strengthen KCAD’s fine arts curriculum and make intermedia methods of learning and working possible. The change advances a strategic approach while effectively utilizing faculty skills and creating a more well-rounded learning experience. The key reasons for combining these programs under the program title of Studio Art are to prepare students for careers in the arts, shared studio learning experiences and to better respond to student and industry demand.

Addtionally, Alta Equipment Company has committed to the College of Engineering Technology to become the founding donor of the Heavy Equipment “Partners in Success” Endowment supporting recruitment and engagement efforts for the Heavy Equipment programs through a gift of $250,000 over seven years. Further, Alta has committed to being the exclusive sponsor of the Heavy Equipment program’s annual recruiting event, Diesel Days, at $8,500 per year for three years. In total, Alta’s investment is $275,500. Alta is a leading provider of industrial forklifts, heavy construction equipment, and warehouse solutions in the Midwest selling, servicing and renting a broad range of equipment.

Board members endorsed President Bill Pink’s recommendation to officially name the lecture hall in the College of Engineering Technology as the “Alta Equipment Company Lecture Hall,” effective immediately.

The trustees and President Pink saluted retiring trustees Ana L. Ramirez-Saenz and Rupesh K. Srivastava, whose terms expire at the end of December 2022. Further, the board thanked the retiring trustees for their active leadership and dedicated service to Ferris State University. The board also approved its meeting calendar for 2023-24. Fred Goldberg, retiring as counsel for the Board of Trustees, was recognized by board members. Goldberg brought Mark Nettleton, from Mika Meyers, who will next serve as board counsel.

At its biennial meeting, trustees voted on the board’s future leadership. Elected 2023-24 officers of the Board of Trustees are chair LaShanda Thomas, of Grosse Pointe; vice-chair Ron Snead, of Stanwood; secretary Kurt Hofman, of Grand Rapids; and immediate past chair Amna P. Seibold, of East Grand Rapids. The group serves as the board’s Executive Committee. The officer appointments are effective Jan. 1, 2023, and continue through Dec. 31, 2024.

Additionally, from the Dec. 16 meeting, the trustees approved the following:

  • charter school reauthorizations for Battle Creek Montessori Academy for Environmental Change, in Springfield; Huron Academy, in Clinton Township; and Muskegon Montessori Academy for Environmental Change, in Norton Shores; and
  • a charter school contract amendment for an additional location for Lighthouse Academy.

The current trustees are chair Amna P. Seibold, of East Grand Rapids; vice-chair Ana L. Ramirez-Saenz, of Caledonia; secretary Rupesh K. Srivastava, of Wixom; member-at-large LaShanda R. Thomas, of Grosse Pointe; George K. Heartwell, of Newaygo; Kurt A. Hofman, of Grand Rapids; and Ronald E. Snead, of Stanwood.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees is Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, in Big Rapids. Committee meetings begin at 3 p.m. followed by the full board meeting at 4 p.m.