April 26, 2024

Spring 2024 Outstanding Graduate — Haley Dobbyn

Focus and fortitude have forged a world of opportunity for 2024 Ferris State University graduate Haley Dobbyn, who will receive her Bachelor of Science degree in Plastics Engineering Technology on Friday, May 3. 

The Garden City native, who has a minor in Rubber Engineering Technology and a certificate in Quality Technology, has impacted her academic program, college, university and community as a student, employee and volunteer. 

Dobbyn said her high school teachers gave her confidence in her skills and recommended she pursue a collegiate curriculum in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields.  

“I had been inspired by an Advanced Placement Chemistry course in high school and wanted to find a unique way to pursue my interests,” she said. “Ferris’ Plastics Engineering Technology stood out as a program in Michigan where I could get ‘hands on’ learning and follow that goal.” 

As a high school sophomore, Haley toured Ferris State and met with professor Robert Speirs in the School of Design and Manufacturing. 

“It was exciting to see the facilities and learn what the program offered,” Dobbyn said, adding her test scores qualified her for a Ferris State Founder’s Scholarship. “I was accepted into the Honors Program, prior to my arrival for classes in the Fall 2020 semester.” 

Dobbyn was also attentive when the idea of a scholarship pursuit came up in her Honors 100 course. She credits Angie Mishler, now an interim associate dean in the College of Engineering Technology, who was her instructor and adviser.  

“She stressed searching for scholarships related to my degree and career interests,” Dobbyn said. “Investing time and submitting applications has been incredibly beneficial in meeting the costs of my college education. Also, the financial aid staff in Admissions have given me a great deal of confidence to succeed in this fashion and be active and successful in pursuing my goals.” 

Joining the Society of Plastics Engineers campus chapter was another rewarding choice. She joined the organization right away and was elected chapter secretary the next fall. 

“I was the chapter president in Fall 2022 and continue with the registered student organization, having recently left their e-board,” she said. “It is an amazing route to make industry contacts and provide an incredible learning experience. We collaborate to try and secure scholarships for peers in our registered student organization, and it has proven to be very rewarding in terms of providing meaningful encounters to build my leadership skills.” 

Being a member of the Detroit chapter of the SPE, she will attend a national event in May in Orlando, which the Plastics Industry Association has developed with a global base of membership that presents an incredible networking experience. 

Dobbyn has also taken advocacy for plastics beyond Ferris State’s campus, promoting the School of Design and Manufacturing to high school groups. 

“During these visits, I talk about how Ferris is an affordable higher education choice and that the industry and alumni are ready to support the next generation with scholarships,” Dobbyn said. “Along with that, we encourage these students to visit our National Elastomer Center so they can see what the Rubber laboratory and Ferris’ campus can offer them as they consider their careers.” 

Each summer, Haley secured internships to broaden her base of experience related to plastics. 

“Following my freshman year, I went to a Lear Corporation facility in Traverse City, where I really set my desire to invest my time and develop skills in process engineering,” Dobbyn said. “I built on that in the summer of 2022 with Royal Technologies in Hudsonville, gaining more understanding about problem-solving. The laboratory work as part of my curriculum allowed me to enter these opportunities with skills beyond simple operational abilities. My internship before senior year with Roumedic in Asheville, North Carolina, allowed me to participate in materials science and innovative techniques, just another layer on my experiences I can demonstrate as I move forward." 

Internships matter and are a priority for many Ferris State students. 

"Two internships are required in our degree program; I am proud to have completed three and will continue that path this summer in Akron, Ohio, by working with ACE Laboratories. They have grown to become a world leader in elastomer testing in less than a decade. As an American Chemical Society student delegate, I was fortunate to connect with them during an informational/networking session at the 2023 International Elastomer Conference. This will give me my first experience in the rubber industry, and my contacts have expressed an interest in my perspective while I gain a great deal of knowledge as a rubber technologist intern.” 

While investing in herself, Dobbyn also contributes in various ways as a student in the Honors program. 

“We channel our efforts in academic excellence and community service, which gives me a great deal of joy,” Dobbyn said. “When my schedule allows, I work a couple of shifts a week at the Animal Rescue Coalition shelter north of Big Rapids. I have been there a couple of years now and love it; I adopted my dog, Milo, from the shelter.”  

She also has been a participant in the ‘Polar Plunge’ for Special Olympics each of the last three years and helped annually in the Riverwalk Cleanup in Big Rapids. Dobbyn also works as a student employee for Ferris’ Career and Professional Success office, assisting in their engagement coaching efforts. 

Dobbyn has been active through service. 

"Last year, I completed the requirements for the ‘Initiative 125’ award, based on my accumulated public service hours," she said. "Qualifying for that honor means a great deal to me and I was glad to give of my time in that fashion.” 

Even with all the skills and experiences Dobbyn has amassed since arriving at Ferris, the industry will have to wait a bit to gain from her learning. She has been accepted to the Master of Science in Plastics Engineering program at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. 

“I have a great interest in becoming an educator in this field, and that requires a technical Master of Science degree,” Dobbyn said. “U Mass Lowell will give me an opportunity to build my knowledge in rubber, which would complement the Plastics learning I have gained at Ferris. I have been in contact with a professor there about involvement in research activity, which would boost my learning and range of experience.” 

With more scholarly efforts ahead, Dobbyn can pause and consider all that has happened for her since making her choice to grow and learn at Ferris. 

“I think about being a high school graduate with a ‘COVID-influenced commencement’ to having a full-fledged ceremony, which will be kind of surreal,” Dobbyn said. “I have been thinking back to when I moved into Puterbaugh Hall as a freshman, with the feelings that I have been here forever at times, or that the experience has all passed by quickly. 

Ferris for me has been an amazing experience, not at all like I thought it would be, which I want taken in the best way possible. What I have gained from working for the university, being a community servant and all my opportunities to learn and grow have brought me the skills I will need to succeed in post-graduate learning and my career.”