July 17, 2025

Longtime Ferris State orientation staffer loves the energy of new students beginning their Bulldog journey

Jason DaDay smiled as he thought about his two favorite times of the year at Ferris State University.

“After commencement, when we see students earn their degrees, orientation is my favorite time of the year,” said DaDay, Ferris State’s assistant director of Admissions- Communications who helps students check in as they begin orientation.

“What I find the most exciting about this time of the year is the eagerness, the excitement in beginning a new chapter in their lives as our new students come to campus for orientation.”

DaDay, his Admissions staff professional teammates, and their student orientation leaders are wrapping up another busy week of welcoming new students and their families to campus.  

As part of the orientation welcome, the staff works to ensure Ferris State’s newest students start their journey to a degree equipped for success. They spend the time connecting with support services, learning about activities, and exploring their new campus home.

For incoming students and their families, DaDay said the energy is impossible to ignore.

“The energy is palpable. There’s no question about that,” said DaDay, who has been working Ferris State’s orientation summers for 16 years. “For me, working orientation is incredibly satisfying as a Bulldog myself. I know what a Ferris State education can do for people, and I know that the young people coming in for orientation are just getting their first taste of what’s coming their way as Bulldogs.”

DaDay is among the first faces of the professional staff that many new students and their families see as they walk inside the David L. Eisler Center to begin their Ferris State experience. It’s an honor he appreciates.

“I like to think of myself as the conductor who’s encouraging everybody to get onboard,” DaDay said. “I know, firsthand, that this ride is going to take them to success and they’re going to have a great time along the way as a Bulldog.”

Ferris State will host its final full week of orientation sessions July 21, 22, and 24.

For those who were unable to attend one of the earlier sessions, Ferris State has students and families covered with a late orientation session on Aug. 21 as students move back to campus.  

There’s nothing like seeing a new student that has been recruited from that initial meeting to solidify their decision to be a Bulldog at orientation.

“I love it personally and professionally. Seeing these students on campus is tremendous validation for the work that my colleagues and I do in student recruitment,” said DaDay, who graduated from Big Rapids High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Ferris State. “We all put in a lot of work visiting schools, bringing students to campus and going to all the events we attend to spread the word about what Ferris State University has to offer students. Seeing these students on campus lets you know that the work we that we all do is making an impact.”

Ferris State’s first day of classes for the 2025-26 academic year is Monday, Aug. 25.