March 30, 2026

Ferris State Construction Management Alumni Network aims to beat 2025 incredible success in second One Day for Dawgs effort on April 8

Mark Dyke’s vision was straightforward when he helped launch the Construction Management Alumni Network at Ferris State University: build something where people stay connected and keep investing in the success of future students.

Last spring, donors and alumni from across the country helped realize that vision during One Day for Dawgs. In their first year participating in Ferris State’s day of giving event, the Construction Management Alumni Network raised more than $14,700 for a newly established scholarship fund. The 2026 event is April 8.

"Honestly, I was blown away," said Dyke, associate professor and program co-coordinator in the Construction Management program. "For our first year doing this through the alumni network, the level of support was incredible. It was great to see people step up and rally behind the program."

The combined efforts of volunteers and alumni saw the group finishing third overall among all campus fundraising teams. For a program entering the giving day for the very first time, it was a high bar to set.

Once a handful of alumni started sharing the cause and reaching out to their networks, the momentum built quickly. Dyke remembers watching excitement build as messaging ramped up last year and is eager for the upcoming event to experience that same rush of Ferris State pride and generosity.

"We set our initial goal last year just above average for what groups typically raise," he said. "We blew past that amount pretty quickly thanks to our awesome alumni. I remember texting the Executive Committee asking what we should raise the goal to next. We raised it and hit that one. Then raised it again, and again. We’ll definitely start higher this year!"

By the end of the day, the Construction Management team had not only surpassed every benchmark it set – it finished third across all participating causes. An impressive feat for its first year, with more than 90 total causes fundraising during the 2025 event.

Dyke credits the culture of the program and the industry for much of that success.

"Construction people get things done, and we are competitive by nature," Dyke said. "It is also a very relationship-driven industry. Our alumni stay connected, and when people saw their classmates and colleagues getting involved, it created a ripple effect that brought more people in."

The funds raised go directly toward scholarship support for current Construction Management students, and last year’s results set the bar high for the group as they looked ahead to this year’s event, set for April 8.  

For Dyke and his colleagues in the Construction Management Alumni Network, the impact is as personal as it is important.

"It means opportunity," he said. "Scholarship support helps take some of that financial pressure off our students so they can focus on learning, getting involved, and building the skills they need to be successful. It makes both the student and the industry stronger."

Considering last year’s top-three finish, the group is even more eager to capitalize on their momentum and show just how much every gift counts. Many students juggle full-time coursework, jobs, internship expectations, and other challenges, and every scholarship makes a difference.

"The goal this year is to build on what we did last year and get even more people involved," Dyke said. "We have our eye on moving up even higher. We know it will be a challenge, but that is a big part of what makes it fun. Supporting our students is some of the most important work we can do, so we hope you’ll join us in that effort."

For any Construction Management graduate or industry partner considering a gift this April 8, Dyke's message is simple: the program gave you something. Now it's your turn.

"It is one of the easiest ways to stay connected and make a real impact," he said. "At the end of the day, it is not just about fundraising. It is about investing in the next generation of construction professionals."