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Founders’ Day Activities Celebrate Ferris’ Contributions Thursday, Sept. 1

Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids community members are invited to join Ferris State University students, faculty and staff on Thursday, Sept. 1, as Founders’ Day is celebrated in a variety of activities across the university’s campus.

“Founders’ Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the legacy of Woodbridge and Helen Ferris and the beginning of our academic year,” Ferris President David Eisler said. “In addition to our traditions of the faculty and staff lunch, community ice cream social, and student dinner, both our women’s soccer and men’s football teams kick off their seasons. I invite everyone to join us for this special day of celebration.”

Eisler will speak about the future of the university in an 11 a.m. speech, to be held in Room 203 of the University Center. An employee picnic in a tent on the North Quad will follow at 12 p.m., and that gathering continues until 1:30 p.m.

Founders’ Day is part of the Bulldog Beginnings schedule of events to welcome students back for the new academic year, and at 1 p.m., a T-shirt exchange will be held at the women’s soccer game against Lewis University (Ill.)

“Students can attend the game free of charge, by presenting their Ferris ID,” said Lisa Ortiz, assistant director of Residential Programs in Housing and Residence Life, and Bulldog Beginnings co-chair. “You can swap out a high school T-shirt, or a shirt from another school, and get a Ferris T-shirt in return.”

A presentation on the histories of, and connections between Ferris and Hampton Institute in Virginia will begin at 1:30 p.m. in University Center Room 217. Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion David Pilgrim, and multimedia specialist Franklin Hughes will hold a question-and-answer session following the presentation. The event includes a banner exhibition.

At 4 p.m., the Founders’ Day Celebration continues with an ice cream social in the University Center atrium and North Quad area. Celebrity and guest servers will have ice cream, a number of community organizations and campus service departments will have display tables, and a DJ and live music are part of the entertainment.

Founders’ Day activities continue into the evening, with a 7 p.m. football game against Ohio Dominican at Top Taggart Field, with students are admitted free of charge with their Ferris ID.

PHOTO CAPTION: A variety of activities celebrating the 132nd anniversary of the founding of Ferris State University will take place Thursday, Sept. 1. Shown above, Athletics Director Perk Weisenburger, left, and Director of Public Safety Bruce Borkovich, right, scoop ice cream for hungry guests.