Sept. 6, 2024

Ferris State students celebrate Founders’ Day with carnival games, ice cream, and getting to engage with campus groups

Late summer heat broke, and the crowds arrived on Ferris State University’s Robinson Quad for the Founders’ Day Extravaganza, celebrating the 140th anniversary of the university’s founding.

Along the walkways, students, faculty, staff and the Big Rapids community found the opportunity to meet with university departments, local organizations offering volunteer opportunities and Crimson and Gold-designated registered student organizations.

The area between the Quad and the Ferris Library for Information, Technology and Education was the scene of carnival midway games, which drew the attention of Detroit native Marlaya Flowers, a third-year dental hygiene student, and her friends.

They took their places at a Skee-Ball-style game, where the object was to roll a ball into a Bulldog’s mouth.

“This is the first time I have been able to be here since I came to campus,” Flowers said. “The food and the ice cream were really good.”

Ferris State’s Vice President for Student Affairs Jeanine Ward-Roof was among the celebrity servers across the Quad, dishing up free cups of Jones Ice Cream’s top flavors to a thankful audience at the Day’s Annual Community Ice Cream Social.

“It is fantastic, really fun to reconnect with our students, faculty and staff, as well as the community this way,” Ward-Roof said. “No matter where you look, all of us are having fun.”  
 
Founders’ Day celebrates the establishment of the Big Rapids Industrial School by Ferris founders Woodbridge N. and Helen Gillespie Ferris on Sept. 1, 1884.