Ferris State University graduate Nate Mathewson showed off the numerous cords and stoles he earned to wear during commencement on Saturday. But tucked among the honors was a pin of a blue jay and a small stuffed red cardinal clipped to his black gown.
“That’s for professor Klatt,” he said, paying tribute to a beloved professor who passed away unexpectedly this week.
Dr. Paul Klatt, a nationally respected expert on birds and the force behind Ferris State’s Osprey Web Cam, was honored by President Bill Pink with emeriti status during Saturday’s commencement celebrating graduates of the College of Arts, Sciences and Education.
Beth Zimmer, chair of Ferris State’s Biological Sciences Department, said Klatt strived to make learning fun.
“Dr. Paul Klatt was a colleague, a professor, a teacher, a mentor, and a friend,” she told graduates and their supporters. “However you knew him, as Dr. Klatt, or simply Paul, or even PK &ndas
Ferris State University’s new $5.5 million Early Learning Center will feature enhanced educational opportunities for students and additional learning outcomes for children in care.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility on the west side of the Big Rapids campus is planned for 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23. The public is welcome.
Lori Johnson, the Early Learning Center manager, is enthusiastic about moving operations into the new facility, located at 1310 Cramer Drive, in Big Rapids, near Bishop and Cramer halls and the Ferris State Department of Public Safety.
“We have greatly emphasized improvements to our educational programming,” Johnson said. “The new Early Learning Center was designed to be a calming, natural environment with enhanced safety and security measures. In addition to the nurturing relationships our educators provide to children, we have purchased some of the most current and innovative equipment available.&rdquo
Lina Blair, Ferris State University’s new Dean of Student Life, is brimming with optimism after joining the Student Affairs division and connecting with the departments and staffers dedicated to providing students and their families support in their lives as Bulldogs.
“Ferris is an exciting place to be, especially now,” Blair said. “It has been a joy getting to know about the good work done by my staff and what I can do to help move the needle forward for our students.”
Blair, who started on Monday, July 11, comes to Ferris after over six years with Grand Rapids Community College as director of Student Life and Conduct. Before that, they had more than a decade of service at Northern Michigan University in varied roles, including assistant dean of students.
Blair joins President Bill Pink and Vice President for University Advancement and Marketing Kathy Mullins as key contributors to Ferris’s new dynamic.
“I admire Dr. Pink’s a
For Class of 1996 alumnus Matt Howlett, Ferris State University has always felt like family, like a home away from home. Now in a position to give back, Howlett couldn’t pass up an opportunity to donate a six-figure high-caliber 3D printer to the College of Engineering Technology, which paves the way for future Ferris alums to graduate a step ahead of the competition from other colleges and universities.
Valued at nearly $130,000, 3DXTech’s Gearbox HT2 Printer System brings the faculty, staff and students of the College of Engineering Technology within arm’s reach of cutting-edge technology that will provide the training graduates need after college.
“We created this 3D printer to answer the question of how to enable the printing of higher-performance materials. Ferris has always been great for my family. I have my son who went here, and he has a family now,” said Howlett, president of 3DXTech, a leading supplier of carbon fiber reinforced 3D printin
Jennifer Shaw, who has raised more than $130 million for higher education scholarships and programs, will work to support Ferris State University Students as the university’s new associate vice president for Advancement.
Kathy Mullins, Ferris vice president for Advancement and Marketing, said Shaw is passionate about creating educational opportunities for students and will be a great addition to the Ferris Foundation team.
“Jennifer will be an excellent advocate for Ferris students and programs and will help generate additional resources for the university,” Mullins said. “There is tremendous energy and excitement around our university. The Ferris Foundation plays an important role in working with our donor community, sharing our stories and helping create more opportunities for students of all ages to get a quality Ferris education.”
Shaw, as Grand Valley State University’s assistant vice president for development, campaigns, college advanc