Ferris State is getting ready to kick off Bulldog Beginnings, a series of events to
welcome students to campus to begin the 2023-24 academic year.
More than 30 events highlight Ferris State University’s annual Bulldog Beginnings lineup to welcome students back to kick off the 2023-24 academic year.
The events start on Aug. 24 and are an opportunity to have fun, learn more about Ferris State, and meet fellow students.
Hayley Dobbin, a Plastics Engineering Technology major from Garden City, is excited to start the new academic year with a wide range of Bulldog Beginnings activities for her and fellow students.
“Bulldog Beginnings has the types of events that allow you to meet new people, especially those in the same position as you and just starting college,” Dobbyn said. “It helps make the new transition into college seem less intimidating.”
Angela Roman is Ferris State’s Career and Professional Success director and the Bulldog Beginnings committee co-chair. She looks forward to students feeling at home to begin a new school year.
“We very much want students to build up their circle of friends and become familiar with our beautiful campus, understanding that each student is appreciated and wanted here,” Roman said.
“Friday evening, Aug. 25, our Bulldog Welcome will be held on the Robinson Quad, where President Bill Pink will speak, and we will enjoy a summer evening ahead of the RHA Movie, which is the live action ‘Little Mermaid,’” Associate Dean of Student Life Nicholas Campau said. “The construction fences that dotted campus this summer are gone, and we are glad to travel campus easily and be with each other.”
Campau said Bulldog Beginnings collaboration extends into the Big Rapids community, with the Big Rapids Summerfest planned for 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26.
She said there are many organizational open houses and welcome events to participate in, along with Meet the Greeks on Sunday, Aug. 27.
Roman said Speed Friending returns to the David L. Eisler Center on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 2 to 4 p.m.
“We were very excited by the response from students in 2022 and saw this as a great way to get to know others enjoyably,” Roman said. “The Eisler Center is the place to be again that evening, as our Late Night Party will be held from 8 to 10 p.m.”
As the academic year begins on Monday, Aug. 28, Roman said First Year Peer Engagement Coaches will contact first-time-in-any-college students and those who transferred in with less than 24 credit hours.
Other first-week activities include an Entertainment Unlimited-sponsored event for all of campus, as comedian Derrick Knopsnyder entertains at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29.
“Derrick gets his audiences engaged in the program and has shared the stage with many nationally known comedians,” Campau said. “We hope to fill the Eisler Center ballrooms and give everyone great laughs.”
New and traditional elements combine as Ferris comes to Founders Day, as Woodbridge and Helen Ferris’ legacy is recognized on Thursday, Aug. 31, nearly 139 years after their establishment of the Big Rapids Industrial School.
“The ribbon-cutting event for the Center for Virtual Learning at 9:30 a.m. is a chance for all of campus to celebrate a real step forward in the educational metaverse,” Campau said. “Students will be able to take a unique step that afternoon, as a zip line will be coursing between the large tent on the Robinson Quad and North Campus Drive. We will also have singer-songwriters performing on the quad stage outside the Eisler Center.”
“The Founders Day Extravaganza on the Robinson Quad is a great chance to interact with many campus operations, including Crimson and Gold registered student organizations,” Roman said. “An ice cream social ahead of Ferris’ season-opening football game against Mercyhurst makes for a day full of enjoyment and interactions for all students and our campus partners.”
Kickoff for the football game is set for 8 p.m. from Top Taggart Field as the back-to-back and defending NCAA Division II National Champion Bulldogs begin the 2023 campaign.
Ahead of the Labor Day Holiday, Bulldog Beginnings events include laser tag in the Ferris Library for Information, Technology and Education from 12 to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, and a University Recreation golf scramble Saturday, Sept. 2, at Katke Golf Course.
Introductory activities for the Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center, the Office of Multicultural Student Services and Ferris’ LGBTQ+ Resource Center dot the calendar in the first week of September. Bulldog Beginnings will be capped Wednesday, Sept. 13, with a traditional event and an Entertainment Unlimited sponsored performance.
“With more than 150 campus organizations at Bulldog Bonanza, students have a great way to know what opportunities exist to explore their interests and meet students who also enjoy those activities,” Campau said.
“That will be held in the Robinson Quad, and everyone is invited at 7:30 for mentalist Tom Kennedy’s performance. There will be lots of fun and mind-blowing moments in that event, a captivating way to wrap up our schedule. We work hard to make Bulldog Beginnings a way for our students to find themselves, their place and their people.”