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Good Fortune Inspires Giving Back

Good Fortune Inspires Giving Back

Robert and Nancy Shilander

Robert and Nancy Shilander

A life of good fortune inspired Robert and Nancy Shilander to pay it forward and give back to students at Ferris State University.

The Shilanders created two new scholarship endowments. The Robert G. Shilander Scholarship Endowment will support students majoring in Construction Management, and the Robert G. and Nancy A. Shilander Scholarship Endowment will support students in any major at Ferris’ with a preference for graduates from Mason County Central High School, where Bob and Nancy first met.

A 1969 graduate of Ferris’ Construction Management program, Bob hit the ground running at graduation. Marrying Nancy, his high school sweet heart, the day before graduation and only a week later, beginning his life-long career with Townsend and Bottum. As the years passed and their own family grew, Bob’s degree opened doors that ultimately led them to return to their roots in the West Michigan area and to Ferris. Bob also serves as an Industry Advisory Board Member for the Construction Management program.

“It's rewarding to know that an education at Ferris can lead you from a country school in Scottville to designing and building projects in countries across the world,” Bob reflects. “We have been blessed over the years, and we were surprised to learn of the Ferris Futures Scholarship Challenge and how easy, affordable, and flexible it was to start our own scholarship endowments.”

The couple hopes that their scholarships will help to unlock doors for students at Ferris and graduates of Mason County Central High School, leading them down a path towards success. “As we've had so many blessings, we look back to Mason County Central High School where our relationship began, and to Ferris State University where Bob's education launched his career,” Nancy shares, “We want to express our gratitude in a way that will benefit others who may need a helping hand.” 

For more information on making a gift to the Shilander’s scholarship endowments, or creating your own through the Ferris Futures Scholarship Endowment, please contact The Ferris Foundation at [email protected].