One Hundred Forty-Third Commencement Friday and Saturday, the Tenth and Eleventh of May, Two Thousand Nineteen Ferris Fidelity
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ONE HUNDRED FORTY-THIRD COMMENCEMENT Friday and Saturday, the Tenth and Eleventh of May, Two Thousand Nineteen Ferris Fidelity As constant as the Northern Star Our faith we pledge to thee. Our word, our bond, our oath, our trust To you fidelity. From the promise of the crimson dawn To sunset’s mellow gold Thy spirit shall prevail. We pledge allegiance as of old Ferris State, All Hail! Words and Music by Graham T. Overgard Well done! Earning a college degree is one of life’s landmark They lived their lives in service to others—Woodbridge accomplishments, and the Ferris State University as an educator, two-term governor of the state of community could not be more proud of each and Michigan and a United States senator, and Helen as a every one of its graduates. revered teacher who—in the words of President David Eisler during his 2003 inaugural address—“symbolizes It has been our privilege to accompany you through- one of the greatest strengths of our university, the out this educational journey, and the entire Ferris caring commitment of our people.” community is extraordinarily pleased to honor your achievement. This is just the beginning. Woodbridge and Helen believed that all students should have the opportunity to pursue a higher Ferris State University graduates boast the drive to education if they were willing to work for it. Their discover, inspire and serve with a sense of purpose. goals to prepare students for successful careers, responsible citizenship and lifelong learning are You now belong to an exceptional group of Bulldog part of our university’s mission today. alumni—leaders in all facets of business, education, industry, health care and public service who dared to By its adherence to these principles, Ferris State imagine more. University is recognized as a pioneer in career- oriented education and a leader in new occupational We are confident that, together, we have helped programming. create a commitment to responsible citizenship and lifelong learning. The efficacy of this distinctive educational approach is reflected in the growth of the institution over And we are thankful, because, through you, the world the past several decades. When Ferris became a is about to get better. state college in the fall of 1950, it consisted of one permanent structure, the Alumni Building, and some Rooted in Opportunity surplus Army barracks. Fewer than 1,000 students were enrolled, and there were less than 50 faculty Recognized as a statewide leader in higher members. The campus covered less than 20 acres. education, Ferris State University is playing a key role in the development of Michigan’s workforce, Today, enrollment is more than 13,000 students and economy and communities. Our academic and the 935-acre campus comprises 116 educational, professional community serves more than 13,000 administrative and maintenance buildings, student students on our main campus in Big Rapids, 24 off- activity facilities and residence halls. campus sites throughout Michigan, and at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids. The educational opportunities available at Ferris are fueled by selection of credentialed and committed Ferris offers more than 190 undergraduate and faculty, the special care taken in the development of graduate degrees in professional and technical curricula, a commitment to providing state-of-the- high-demand fields. With state-of-the-art facilities art equipment for instruction in technical areas and and resources, a collaborative work environment the use of advisory committees to keep programs and industry advisory boards that keep us on the in touch with the current needs of industry. The cutting edge of practical instruction, we help university’s concept of “laddering” enables students students enter the job market with an advantage. to build from a two-year to a four-year program according to their careers and personal goals. Ferris is a welcoming community of people and perspectives from all over the United States and Students’ social life is an extension of the classroom around the world. We are distinguished by our at Ferris, where it’s easy to get involved and be strong heritage of providing opportunity to all. engaged by a lively schedule of athletic, cultural and recreational events. It’s where lifelong friends Ferris State is the only state university in Michigan are made. that bears the name of its founders, Woodbridge and Helen Ferris. They opened Ferris Industrial School in 1884 to provide worker retraining following declines in the lumber and mining industries. Though inspired by the economic conditions of the day, their philosophy of combining instruction in marketable skills with a liberal arts education remains relevant today. 2 Mission Statement Ferris State University prepares students for successful careers, responsible citizenship and lifelong learning. Through its many partnerships and its career-oriented, broad-based education, Ferris serves our rapidly changing global economy and society. Vision Statement Ferris State University will be: The recognized leader in integrative education, where theory meets practice throughout the curriculum and where multi-disciplinary skills important in a global economy are developed, with the result that Ferris State University will also be: The preferred choice for students who seek specialized, innovative, career- and life-enhancing education; The premier educational partner for government, communities, agencies, businesses and industries through applied research and joint ventures; A stimulating, student-centered academic environment that fosters lifelong engagement, leadership, citizenship and continuing intellectual development; A university that aligns its practices and resources in support of its core values of collaboration, diversity, ethical community, excellence, learning and opportunity. Core Values Collaboration Ferris contributes to the advancement of society by building partnerships with students, alumni, business and industry, government bodies, accrediting agencies, and the communities the university serves. Diversity By providing a campus which is supportive, safe and welcoming, Ferris embraces a diversity of ideas, beliefs and cultures. Ethical Community Ferris recognizes the inherent dignity of each member of the university community and treats everyone with respect. Our actions are guided by fairness, honesty and integrity. Excellence Committed to innovation and creativity, Ferris strives to produce the highest quality outcomes in all its endeavors. Learning Ferris State University values education that is career-oriented, balances theory and practice, develops critical thinking, emphasizes active learning, and fosters responsibility and the desire for the lifelong pursuit of knowledge. Opportunity Ferris, with a focus on developing career skills and knowledge, provides opportunities for civic engagement, leadership development, advancement and success. 3 May 10, 2019 Dear Graduate, Congratulations on your graduation from Ferris State University. Today you have reached an important milestone. Receiving a college degree places you within a unique and special segment of society. You now belong to an exceptional group of individuals—Ferris State University alumni, who are leaders in all facets of business, education, industry, health care and public service. We are extraordinarily proud of you and your achievements. On behalf of our faculty, I extend our congratulations to you on this most special of days. Like you, we understand that commencement is just the beginning of exciting and rewarding opportunities. We are confident that, together, we have helped create a lifelong commitment to discovery, learning and continued growth. When we may be of assistance to you, please call upon us. As you enjoy this day, I encourage you to pause and thank those who have helped and supported you throughout this educational journey. It is important to remember that today’s achievement stems not only from your own efforts, but also those of family, friends, faculty, fellow students and scholarship donors. You have now joined a learned community of more than 130,000 Ferris alumni. You and your fellow alumni are ambassadors of the University to those within their professions—employers, co-workers, clients—and to personal acquaintances. In this role you can encourage prospective students to make use of the free online application process to become students at Ferris State University. There are many, many other ways you can maintain a close relationship with your alma mater. Please keep in touch with your University and classmates through the Alumni Association Online Community at ferris.edu/alumni. I hope you will come back and visit us often. I look forward to hearing from you. Please accept my best wishes for your continued success. David L. Eisler President 4 Honorary Degrees Ferris State University awards honorary degrees to recognize outstanding achievement in various disciplines or areas including arts, business and industry, health services, and public service. Honorary degrees are conferred annually at Spring Commencement to individuals whose lifelong accomplishments are examples of commitment, excellence and civic engagement. Timothy P. Murphy Honorary Doctorate of Public Service Timothy P. Murphy has more than 35 years of public and private sector experience, and is a recognized leader in the global law enforcement, intelligence and business communities. Currently, he is President of Thomson Reuters Special Services, a U.S. subsidiary