September 17, 2025

Alumni Legacy Scholarship recipients celebrate success, Ferris State family traditions at annual luncheon

The Ferris State University Alumni Association awarded $46,000 in scholarships to 37 students during its annual Alumni Legacy Luncheon, helping remove financial barriers to success.

The event honors Bulldog legacy students and demonstrates the impact of alumni, donors, and friends who support student success through alumni events and scholarship funding.

“Sharing a meal with and hearing the stories of these incredible students reinforces the importance of this work for the Alumni Association Board,” said Luke Edington, a 2014 graduate of Ferris State’s Plastics and Rubber Engineering program and president of the Alumni Association Board.

“We recognize the rising costs students are facing, and as an alumni board, we strive to grow access to critical resources for every Bulldog,” he said. “This is an important way we see the direct impact of our year-round activities and the generosity of our great alumni community.”

Among the recipients was Abby Cartwright, a nursing student from Bellaire who said the Alumni Legacy Scholarship plays a vital role in helping students reach their goals.

“I grew up hearing stories about my mom’s time at Ferris State and how exceptional the programs were,” Cartwright said. “I’m just so thankful to be able to follow in her footsteps and know the same is true today.”

Ferris State established the Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship in 1956 and has awarded over 500 scholarships totaling more than $600,000 in financial support for Bulldog legacy students. The scholarship is awarded to qualifying students who are the sibling, child, or grandchild of a Ferris State University alumni.

“With the support of this scholarship, the strong foundation I’ve built, and my Bulldog family, I’m confident I will achieve my dream of becoming a med-surg nurse,” Cartwright said.

“All the resources here at Ferris State confirmed that this was the right place for me, and I can’t wait to make a lasting impact on my community.”