www.fsutorch.com Single Issue Free, Additional Copies 50 Cents Week of April 26 - May 2, 2017 HERE’s wHAT’s INSide Ferris State University Bring it home The Avocado Telethon Keeping the postseason dreams Returns of Bulldog softball alive will come The 12-hour live stream aims to TORCH down to their final regular season raise money for local charity Truth, fairness and matchup against Grand Valley State accuracy since 1931 SPORTS | Page 10 Lifestyles | Page 13 To those who aren’t graduating on time Don’t worry about it Melanie Bale Torch Reporter To the student who just left Exceptional seniors their adviser’s office crying, it’s OK. To the plethora of students extra time, but it is worth it in the end.” and actually make friends because, when I first who aren’t graduating this se- Speigner said that if she could have done came, I didn’t know anybody,” Gonzalez said. Graduating seniors mester when they feel like they things differently, she would change the fact “See what’s out there. Get involved.” should be, it’s OK. that she lived off campus. Gonzalez, a current certified nursing assis- Families may be disappointed, reflect on their “It was a great experience. But living on cam- tant, said that she’s loved the healthcare field bank accounts and credit scores pus was the highlight of my school year and since she was a child. When Gonzalez was in may cry with you, and goals may if I could, I wish I could live in East Campus,” high school, a friend was hospitalized and, time at Ferris seem farther away than they Speigner said. “I have never stayed in that on upon multiple visits to the hospital, Gonzalez previously were. All of that will campus apartment. I have [lived] in West Cam- made the final decision to go into nursing. subside. Parents will love you Harley Harrison pus housing, but I feel like I am missing the full “I’d always observe the nurses and see what still, credit scores will recover, Bulldog experience.” they did,” Gonzalez said. “This really interests Torch Reporter and you will reach that gradua- Another senior deserving of recognition is me. I want to be able to help people and inter- tion ceremony with a cap on your Ferris nursing senior and Grand Rapids native act with patients all the time, so I think that’s head. As the end of the 2016-17 school year quick- Tania Gonzalez. She chose Ferris for it’s size when I fully decided nursing.” To the student who had their ly approaches, seniors are taking time to re- and proximity to home. In her junior year of high After graduating, Gonzalez wants to gain ex- heart set on getting their degree flect on their years at Ferris. school, her counselor referred her to a techni- perience as a nurse on a medical and surgical at the same time as their peers, Ferris early childhood education senior cal center in Grand Rapids that had an affilia- floor, followed by working at the Helen Devos it’s OK. Unfortunately, the con- and Grand Rapids native Faith Speigner has tion with Ferris, allowing her Center and—one day—returning to school to get structs of our society force stu- been in love with Ferris since the moment she to complete college credits her masters. dents to compare themselves to stepped on campus for her first visit. while still in high school. As a first generation college student, Gon- one another and ultimately, cre- “I chose my major because I have always “I decided to come to Fer- zalez admits that attending college was quite ate a modern-day gladiator situa- loved children and with my patience, I am ris and I loved it,” Gonzalez confusing. tion in a race to be the best and great around children,” Speigner said. “I have said. “I always had my mind set that I wanted to to do it before everyone else. But learned that time has no end and if you don’t During her time at Ferris, go to college. I didn’t know how, I didn’t know as students, we’ve learned that know what you want to do as a career, that’s Gonzalez worked as a tour how to pay for it, I didn’t know anything about OK. What’s important is you take the time our fierce ability to adapt and Tania Gonzalez guide and founded the Ferris FAFSA,” Gonzalez said. “I came in blindsided strive for what we want would when you’re ready.” chapter of her sorority, Sigma because I didn’t know what I was doing.” terrify a small child. With a minor in psychology and another mi- Lambda Gamma, which is a latina-based social Fortunately, Gonzalez seeked resources To the students who are first nor in French, Speigner aspires to move out of sorority. Previously, she was involved with the from the Hispanic Center in Grand Rapids, generation whose parents don’t the state and open her own business before Hispanic Student Organization (HSO) and the where she learned how to fill out FAFSA and understand why you need two the end of the year. Ferris Student Nurses Association. other forms for college. more semesters when you’ve al- “One of my biggest challenges was finding “I’m glad I got involved. It just made me net- “I really enjoyed my time at Ferris, I really ready been here four years, it’s an internship,” Speigner said. “It does require work a little more. It lets me meet new people did,” Gonzalez said. OK. The fact that we’re even get- ting a degree sets us apart from GRADUATION CEREMONIES a majority of the world, and only 40 percent of students graduate May 5th - 3:30 PM within four years anyway. When they see you graduate and start College of Health Professions - 342 participants the career you wanted, they’ll un- May 5th - 7:30 PM derstand. To the student who changed College of Arts and Science - 270 participants their major halfway through un- Community College of Leadership - 22 participants dergrad and has three more years, it’s OK. The early 20’s are College of Pharmacy - 148 participants the most forming years of our May 6th - 9:00 AM lives and we’ve chosen to spend it bettering ourselves. As stu- College of Engineering Tech. - 355 participants dents, we’re taking advantage May 6th - 12:30 PM of the opportunities college has to offer, discovering who we are College of Business - 390 participants and refusing to settle. Michigan College of Optometry - 20 participants So to the Bulldogs who are stuck in the pound for a few College of Education and Human Services - 348 participants more semesters, remember who The above information was provided by Ferris’ you want to be and be proud of Commencement Coordinator Jennifer Stevens yourself for where you are and where you’re going. Got news? Let us know. Like us on facebook Follow us on Twitter Add us on instagram Watch us on youtube Email: [email protected] Ferris state Torch @fsutorch fsutorch Fsu Torch Phone: 231.591.5978 Connect with us on social media - Read articles online at www.fsutorch.com 2 News Week of April 26 - May 2, 2017 Ferris State Torch “I screamed in his face and there was nothing—no response,” NEWS - Michele Maxson, See page 3 for story Angela Graf | News Editor | [email protected] Photo by: Andrea Cordes | Torch Photographer The 2017 Big Event had 1,250 volunteers, including members of Ferris’ You Beautiful Black Woman student organization (above), working at 250 different Big Rapids properties on everything from painting to picking up sticks. Ferris fosters philanthropy 2017 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Big Event Marley Tucker give back to the students instead of just giv- Photo by: Andrea Cordes | Torch Photographer ing back to the community. We want people Torch Reporter Ferris’ chapter of Alpha Psi Omega was one of the many student organizations taking part in the Big to have fun and want to Event, raking leaves and clearing brush. do this event.” Big Rapids saw Ferris students grabbing Volunteers perform var- work back home in my church and always day. Next year’s academic calendar is dif- ladders and rakes Saturday, April 22, as ious services for residents find ways to help out, so I was drawn to this ferent, so I think we can get the volunteer 1,250 student volunteers helped 250 hous- such as washing win- event,” said Ferris political science fresh- number back up again,” said Ferris chemis- es with outdoor yard work in this year’s Big dows, raking leaves and man Charnice Lagrone, a member of the try senior Travis Hill. Event. painting. Students are dis- You Beautiful Black Woman (YBBW) stu- In 2015, The Big Event had 1,631 vol- The Big Event allows students, faculty persed throughout the Big dent organization. “I heard about the event unteers that served 250 homes. Last year, and staff to do yard maintenance and other Alexandra Reeds Rapids community to tend from several people and of course I saw the more than 1,800 volunteers served 290 tasks throughout Big Rapids to service the to houses and some go as e-mails so I got really interested with what homes. community. It is currently the largest stu- far as Stanwood to do their jobs. Ferris is trying to do. I feel “We actually had to turn some houses dent run philanthropic project in Michigan.