September 24, 2025

‘Launching pad:’ Ferris State Distinguished Alumni honorees share how university prepared them for success

The Ferris State Alumni Association honored graduates who have thrived in fields including construction, healthcare, education, and golf management, celebrating their success and telling their stories to inspire others.

The association honored five Distinguished Alumni award recipients, two Pacesetter award recipients, two Above and Beyond Award students, and more than 30 members of the Golden Eagle class of 1975 as part of the recent Homecoming events.

“This event and the amazing award-winning alumni really show how Ferris State is a shared launching pad for people all over the world doing incredible things,” said Matt Eickhoff, a 2003 college of business graduate and chair of the Alumni Association awards committee.

This year’s slate of awardees included leaders across industries, from construction and criminal justice to higher education, healthcare, and professional golf management.

“Welcoming some of our highest-achieving Bulldogs back home and getting to share triumphant moments with their wonderful communities, is one of the best parts of homecoming,” Eickhoff said.

The 2025 recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award, Pacesetter Award, and John and Sue Bradac Above and Beyond Award from the Ferris State University Alumni Association are:

Distinguished Alumni honorees

Dr. Matthew Chaney, a class of 1995 graduate, and four-time degree-earner from Ferris State University, currently serves as a vice president at Wright State University after a nearly 27-year career at Ferris State.

Chaney’s work at Ferris State focused on supporting and developing educational opportunities for underserved students. At Wright State he oversees multiple campus resources and student development centers devoted to inclusion and belonging.

Dr. JoLaine Draugalis graduated from Ferris State’s College of Pharmacy in 1976 before completing her doctorate at the University of Arizona in 1987 and joining the faculty there. She worked her way from professor to associate dean while serving in leadership roles across the industry and ultimately earning an appointment to dean of the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy.

She served as dean until her retirement in 2023 and now works to give back and support the next generation of pharmacists and healthcare leaders.

Scott Grewe is the police chief for the city of Birmingham and has dedicated his career to serving the public through community programs. He graduated from Ferris State’s Criminal Justice program in 1999 and would go on to complete his master’s degree in Public Safety at the University of Virginia while developing innovative and community-focused policing programs.

Grewe’s work and leadership has earned recognition and awards from several professional organizations, and he now also serves on the executive boards of the Oakland County Chiefs of Police Association and the Southeastern Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police.

Kyle Martin graduated from Ferris State’s nationally renowned PGA Golf Management program in 2009 and quickly began his career at the Boyne Golf Academy at King Par mentoring and coaching high-level junior players.

Martin’s devotion to his players and leadership in his career led him to The Fortress Golf Course in Frankenmuth where he now serves as Head Golf Professional at the championship facility. Martin maintains a close connection with Ferris State, regularly extending internships to Bulldog students and serving as a member of the PGA Golf Management program advisory board.

Laurie Placinski is redefining the corporate healthcare landscape through her industry-leading work with BAMF Health, where she serves as vice president of Design, Real Estate and Partnerships.

Placinski is a 2006 graduate of Ferris State’s Kendall College of Art and Design with global recognition and West Michigan roots. She has previously held leadership and volunteer roles with the Mary Free Bed Guild, IIDA Michigan, Aging 2.0-Michigan, the Grand Rapids Symphony, and Gilda’s LaughFest, before joining BAMF Health in 2018.

She now relies on her foundations from Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design as a global leader in healthcare facility design and helping strategically develop BAMF Health’s cutting-edge theranostics program on a global scale.

Pacesetter Alumni honorees

Luke Edington is a 2014 graduate of the Plastics Engineering Technology program, and he serves as the president of 3DXTech Additive Manufacturing. Edington begin his career at the Gentex Corporation in Zeeland and quickly advanced to leadership roles thanks to his no-nonsense approach to problem solving and strong foundations built during his time at Ferris State.

After completing his MBA to further strengthen his leadership skills, he joined 3DXTech as director of Operations and quickly achieved success before being promoted to president.

Edington has served on the Ferris State Alumni Association Board of Directors, as well as multiple volunteer roles with nonprofits in West Michigan.

Taylor Goldthwait makes her impact known on Ferris State University’s Big Rapids campus. As a project manager at Granger Construction, Goldthwait has helped build some of the cutting-edge facilities students are learning and growing in today.

She is a 2018 graduate of the Construction Management program and a Big Rapids native who regularly leads complex projects with noted precision and success. She officially joined Granger Construction after a successful student internship and quickly earned promotion to project manager where she’s managed approximately $100 million in higher education construction projects.

She also serves as vice president of the Construction Management Alumni Network and works to support students and scholarship funds for the trades at Ferris State.

John and Sue Bradac Above and Beyond Award winners

Natalie Walsh is a PharmD candidate in her final year at the Big Rapids campus. She regularly distinguishes herself through campus leadership and service. Walsh is the vice president and mascot coordinator for the Student Alumni Gold Club, treasurer of the Women’s Club Rugby team, president of Lambda Kappa Sigma, and an active member of NCPA and MPSA.

She brings a passion for building community and inspiring her peers to everything she does across campus. Walsh will continue her education at the Grand Rapids campus before completing her PharmD degree.

Benji Zorn is a senior in Business Administration with a minor in Professional Sales and he is an energetic campus leader. His wide-ranging involvement includes time as treasurer and new member coordinator for Student Alumni Gold Club, multiple roles with the Professional Sales Club, and active membership in the local Special Olympics chapter. Among his academic and extracurricular accomplishments, Zorn is also the 2024 Collegiate Disc Golf Singles National Champion.

Ferris State University leadership congratulated and recognized the outstanding members of the Bulldog community honored during the event as part of the annual homecoming festivities.