The Ferris Foundation | Grand Rapids
The Ferris Foundation in Grand Rapids
Ferris State University’s Grand Rapids Advancement office provides the vision, leadership,
and management for fundraising efforts in West Michigan. The office brings together
university partners to strategically develop funding models and cohesive messaging
to share with the community. Barbara Benda, Executive Director of Leadership Giving
and Relationships, leads this effort.
Ferris State University in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids, Ferris State University meets students “where they are”. Beyond traditional
college recruitment, Ferris Grand Rapids works with under-connected and under-represented
communities: listening, identifying needs, and finding partners.
For over 25 years, Ferris Grand Rapids has been building these bridges for the educational and professional achievement of current and future students while cultivating a vibrant and supportive community around them. This important work is not done alone, in a vacuum. Our work engages partner organizations that in turn make our programming more robust and valuable to students.
Our Work Today and in the Future
Ferris State University has laid institutional foundations in Grand Rapids for many
years. Moving forward, our work will focus on our strengths:
- Ferris Grand Rapids will address financial barriers with comprehensive scholarship
development. Ferris Grand Rapids will cultivate a welcoming and inclusive outreach
to diverse populations, meeting students of all backgrounds and walks of life “where
they are”.
- Ferris Grand Rapids will echo the larger university’s commitment to graduating students
who are ready to work, emphasizing hands-on experiences and real-world skills. Through
collaboration and community partnerships today, we will offer our students and the
larger Grand Rapids community a head start on the agility and scholarship to adapt
for tomorrow.
- Ferris Grand Rapids will remain a community of learners. Collaborating in meaningful ways is dependent on the humility to acknowledge that no person or institution has all the answers. Ferris Grand Rapids is unencumbered by the restrictions of a conventional institution. Instead, we are a living, adaptive organization that is very comfortable in ambiguous space.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Ferris Latino Talent Initiative Graduation: March 22, 2018 at UICA
Late September, 2018: Ferris 2018 Homecoming Festivities
November 2nd, 2018: Ferris 2018 Foundation Benefit for Excellence
Mid-November, 2018: Ferris Grand Rapids participation in the Wine, Beer and Food Festival
Early December, 2018: President’s Holiday Reception - Grand Rapids
*Exact dates to be updated as they become available
QUARTERLY FERRIS GR COUNCIL MEETINGS
October
January
March
June
ALUMNI EVENTS
View all alumni events
West Michigan Opportunity Scholarship
The West Michigan Opportunity Scholarship will support scholarships for area students
to attend Ferris State University. Support this scholarship online.
Promesa Summer Success
The purpose of the Summer Success Program is to allow eligible students to
- Establish credit and proficiency in mathematics and reading at or beyond the developmental
level before starting post secondary work,
- Enhance their admissions credentials so that they may qualify for admissions to a
postsecondary institution of their choice,
- Enhance their knowledge of core subjects to improve their ACT scores for postsecondary
admission and financial aid,
- Complete up to nine college credits during the summer to enhance their prospects for
postsecondary completion, degree completion and reduce student debt, and
- Build on the students' individual strengths to navigate the High Education System.
Latino Business and Economic Development Center
The purpose of the Latino Business and Economic Development Center (LBEDC) is to provide leadership and community entrepreneurship development for [email protected] professionals
interested in contributing to the overall economic development of Latino communities
of West Michigan. LBEDC will develop leaders that demonstrate cultural competency
by combining traditional leadership curriculum with curriculum created to understand
the cultural aspects of the Latino population. The Center also focuses its efforts
to promote community entrepreneurialism with the goal of preparing individuals to
build economic opportunity for all.
Richard Antonini II
Partner, Plante Moran
Ferris State University: Accounting
Dan Bailey
VP/Project Executive, Rockford Construction
Ferris State University: Construction Technology & Management
Chuck Christmas
EVP - Chief Financial Officer at Mercantile Bank of Michigan
Ferris State University: Accounting
Mary E. Dale
Metron Integrated Health Systems
Ferris State University: Applied Speech Communications
Jean K. Elder
CEO and Senior Partner, J.K. Elder and Associates
Ferris Foundation Board of Directors
Ferris State University: Honorary Doctorate, A&S D. Pub Srv
University of Michigan: Development Psychology, Education, Organizational Development
Mary Anne Jones
CFO and SVP of Operations, Priority Health
Ferris State University: Accounting
Susan K. Jones
Ferris Foundation Board of Directors
Ferris State University: Professor of Marketing
Northwestern University: Advertising, Political Science
Kurt Knoth
Vice President of System Supply Chain, Spectrum Health
Ferris State University: Operations Management
Brad Laackman
President & CEO, Honor Construction
Ferris State University: Construction Management
Andy Maier
Marketing Communications Manager
Gordon Food Service
Paola Mendivil
Owner, El Granjero
Ferris State University: Business Administration
Megan Schmidt
Vice President of Sales & Client Services, Priority Health
Ferris State University: Business Administration
Betsey Spayde
FMG Properties, LLC
Ferris State University: Pharmacy
Mike Van Diepenbos
Group Manager – Business Banking, Comerica Bank
Ferris State University: Business Administration
