Diversity Enhancement - 2013

Michael Wade

For his efforts to strengthen diversity at Ferris State University, Office of Multicultural Student Services Assistant Director Michael Wade was named the 2013 recipient of the Diversity Enhancement Award as presented by the Academic Affairs division.

A 2006 graduate of Ferris with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Human Resource Management, Wade has worked as a full-time university employee since 2006. Wade is noted for his leadership in numerous university-wide programming efforts as well as his leadership on a variety of university-wide committees, including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Hispanic Heritage Month, Asian-American Heritage Month, Black History Month, Native American Heritage Month and Women’s History Month.

“As an administrator for more than six years at Ferris State University’s Office of Multicultural Student Services, I have gained a greater understanding of our mission and core values,” Wade said. “Furthermore, my philosophy is that concepts such as multiculturalism, tolerance, diversity and inclusion are vital to student learning and through education and hands-on experiences assist in preparing students for a global workforce. “Our department seeks to consistently create platforms that foster student growth and development,” he added. “In my role, I have been granted the autonomy to create innovative models for success that have resulted in both challenges and successes.”

Strengthening diversity on campus is no overnight project. Wade, along with OMSS director Matthew Chaney, embraces that challenge. “Diversity enhancement is a process that does not happen overnight but it is a process that I welcome and that challenges my professional growth every day,” he said. 

Wade was nominated for the award by Rebecca Sammel, a faculty member from the Department of English, Literature, and World Languages. “I have admired and benefited from Michael’s work since I arrived at Ferris in fall 2008,” Sammel said. “One can stop by the OMSS in FLITE at any moment of the day or evening and find it buzzing with friendly, enthusiastic students working on collaborative projects for upcoming events. Students from a range of diverse populations are working on initiatives and projects there, developing the leadership skills and confidence so crucial for success in this economy. Michael Wade and Matt Chaney are always available, their office doors wide open, for students who need help of any kind.”

Wade and other winners of the 2013 Academic Affairs Awards were recognized on Wednesday, April 24 at the Employee Service Awards Celebration event in the Rankin Student Center Dome Room. Academic Affairs award recipients were Avesh Raghunandan, Distinguished Teacher; Robert Quist, Academic Scholar; Brooke Moore, Adjunct Teaching Excellence; Brad McCormick, Distinguished Service; Michael Wade, Diversity Enhancement; Lori Armstrong, Outstanding Academic Advisor; and Joanne Robertson, Outstanding First-Year Advocate.