Nov. 7, 2024

Ferris State to celebrate campus and community veterans with concert and Veterans Day Breakfast

Veterans Day activities at Ferris State — Veterans on campus and in the Big Rapids community will gather for the annual Veterans Day Breakfast on the Ferris State University campus.

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. —

Ferris State University is preparing activities to celebrate campus and local veterans and active military personnel as Veterans Day, on Monday, Nov. 11, nears.

On the eve of Veterans Day, Ferris State will host the 21st annual Veterans Day Concert on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. in Williams Auditorium. The next morning, Ferris State will again host its Veterans Day Breakfast.

The breakfast, hosted by The Office of the President, is open to campus and local veterans beginning at 8 a.m. with a program that runs through 11 a.m. in the ballroom of the David L. Eisler Center at 805 Campus Drive, on the Big Rapids campus.

Sean Allen, assistant director of veterans’ services at Ferris State, said the events are an opportunity for the community to come together and recognize veterans.

“This special recognition highlights the essential support these individuals provide, helping the university thrive,” Allen said, who had a four-year stint in the Marine Corps and comes to Ferris State holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Furniture Design from Kendall College of Art and Design. “Our attendees will have the opportunity to celebrate and show appreciation for the commitment and service of Ferris veterans, whose leadership and experience continue to impact campus life positively.”

Prior to the breakfast, messages of respect and stirring music will represent all five U.S. military branches during the Nov. 10 concert.

Ferris President Bill Pink will offer the concert’s welcome address.

The featured concert speaker will be Kai Gritter, MSU Extension coordinator for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Outreach for Veterans in West Michigan.

The program will highlight Ferris State’s Student Veterans Association. Additionally, the Big Rapids American Legion Post 98 will continue its support of the event with an Honor Guard presence and a performance by bagpiper Steve Winninger.

Ferris State’s Veteran Resource Center is run by veterans for veterans. Its services include assistance transitioning from the military to college, Veterans Affairs compensation and disability claims, applications for VA healthcare, retrieving military records and more.

In 2024, Ferris State again received Gold-level status from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency for its commitment to veteran students. Ferris State has received that distinction since the MVAA began this recognition in 2015.