June 11, 2024

First-generation Welding student embraces start of college experience as 2024 Ferris State orientation sessions begin

Angel Santillan-Lopez is the first in his family to attend college and said Ferris State University’s nationally respected Welding program will prepare him for an in-demand career.

“I feel like I am making my family proud,” said Santillan-Lopez, who was one of about 190 incoming students and guests taking part in the first 2024 Orientation session on Monday, June 10 at the David L. Eisler Center.

Orientation sessions are offered three days a week, with good availability for new students on Monday, June 17, Tuesday, June 18 and Thursday, June 20. Fall 2024 classes begin Monday, Aug. 28.

Seeing the crowd engage university staff and program organizers was exhilarating but not overwhelming for Santillan-Lopez, a graduate of Walkerville High School in Oceana County. His mother Nancy Lopez joined him after check-in, looking over a resource fair in the Rankin Atrium.

“I made my first college visit to the Ferris campus during my freshman year,” Santillan-Lopez said. “Ferris, for me, has such a big presence. It's so many people compared to the 200 who live in Walkerville. I graduated in a class of 15 students and plan to join friends from home in the residence halls.”

Angel is the first in his family to attend college and has been focused on studying welding since his initial visit to Ferris.

Assistant Director of Admissions/Communications Jason Daday paused during his work welcoming students in the Fine Art Gallery to credit a Walkerville counselor’s efforts for students in her district.

“Ashleigh Droste organizes yearly visits with us. She is a real champion of our university and programs,” Daday said.

Daday added that a recent upswing in response to 2024 orientation sessions encouraged his department.

“These students are receiving financial aid notices and can now begin their onboarding,” he said. “There had been a lag in processing federal paperwork that presented some delays, but those students now know resources are available to them and are making Ferris their higher education choice.”

Assistant Director of Admissions Emily Hicks said students interested in coming to Ferris State for Fall 2024 classes should register as soon as possible.

“Our first week of orientation sessions is full, with more than 190 students and their supporters signed up to attend each day,” Hicks said. “We are also seeing sessions the weeks of July 8 and July 15 filling up.”