July 25, 2024

Tenacious philanthropy: A Bulldog alumna’s incredible journey overcoming adversity

Dr. Emily Cramer Hancock overcame many unforeseen and overwhelmingly difficult challenges in her life, but the most heartening aspects of her personality have never wavered.

Her infectious positivity, welcoming smile, and abundant generosity inspire many fellow alumni and new friends after meeting her.

“Everything I am today, I am because of the parents who raised me and my choice to attend Ferris State,” Hancock said. “Looking back, the foundations of my upbringing and the lessons I learned at Ferris State stand out as contributors to my success. When you choose to be a Bulldog, you make the best choice possible. Never look back because you can change the world!”

Hancock, a Class of 1976 Ferris State University College of Pharmacy graduate, faced her most challenging season of adversity beginning in May of 2011. She got word that she and her husband’s home in Indianapolis was struck by lightning and caught fire as the couple was visiting their Michigan cottage to evaluate damage from the same storm system. 

Her husband, Bruce, experienced an unrelated health issue while dealing with the challenges of property damage and passed away in January of 2012. Shortly after, Hancock lost vision in one of her eyes. While undergoing surgeries and examinations to correct her vision, a test discovered she had breast cancer.

Hancock said that amidst her greatest challenges, her close friends and her faith pulled her through.

“You sort of start to experience an attitude with life when you go through these things.” Hancock said. “You just say, ‘Bring it on! You can’t take me down!’”

Hancock credits her perseverance to her upbringing and the values instilled by her parents.

“My father was always clear. He said we had a responsibility to do our best and to serve our community. Together, we can overcome any challenge. Simple as that,” she said.

With her vision mostly repaired and more than 10 years beyond her cancer diagnosis, Hancock’s devotion to philanthropy and giving back inspires all who know her.

“There are hundreds of different things I could say about giving and the impact that individuals can have on the issues they care about,” she said.

“It’s about civic leadership, engaging the culture of philanthropy, and accepting our responsibility to continuously support education. It is my plea to my peers and fellow alumni to realize the importance of this work and the impact you can make on students today.”

Hancock urges people to remember what it was like when they were facing challenges, then ask how they can make a difference.

Hancock funded scholarships for each academic college at Ferris State University and Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. She also played an instrumental role in developing the Major General Ben H. Fuller Endowed Scholarship and Big Rapids High School Opportunity Forward Endowed Scholarship, supporting both veteran students and Big Rapids High School graduates enrolled at Ferris State University, respectively.

Her message to peers has always stayed the same: “Any amount you feel moved to give is meaningful and it will make an impact. Remember why these students are so amazing and so deserving of our support, and the sky will truly be the limit.”

Hancock credits much of her success to Ferris State and the pharmacy program.

“Growing up in Big Rapids, I remember being really connected in the community,” she said. “What ultimately sold me on Ferris, though, was a group of upperclassmen who presented at Pharmacy Career Day about the Drug Education Team and responsible use of pharmaceuticals. Hearing them speak and their passion, well, it just changed the trajectory of my life from the moment I left that room.”

After graduating and leaving Big Rapids, Hancock met her future husband while working as a hospital pharmacist in St. Lawrence Hospital in Lansing, Mich. The couple was married within a few years and made their home in Indianapolis.  

They also discovered a passion for education and giving back, establishing the Cramer Family Endowment together in 2006, which provides programmatic support for resource and faculty development.

Bruce Hancock would serve as a faculty member at his alma mater, Purdue University’s College of Pharmacy, among several other roles and volunteer efforts. Emily Hancock served as a hospital pharmacist at the St. Vincent Hospital and Health Services continuing her education while working. She achieved her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Purdue and later earned a Master of Public Affairs from what was then Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

Hancock went on to varied roles as Director of the St. Vincent Institute on Aging and multiple positions with the State of Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. Now retired, she serves as secretary of the Ferris Foundation Board of Directors.

To learn more about the work of the Ferris Foundation and incredible donors like Emily Hancock, or to learn how you can make your impact on students and projects at Ferris State, visit ferris.edu/giving.