Ferris State University will celebrate 25 years of support for student scholarships and the innovative pursuits of faculty and staff at this year’s Ferris Foundation for Excellence Benefit. 

The benefit, planned for Friday, Nov. 10 at the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids, will also highlight three Ferris State alumni recognized for their leadership in communities across Michigan and beyond.  

“The Ferris Foundation for Excellence Benefit is one of the highlights of the year, and we are excited to focus on leadership with a panel of outstanding Ferris State University alumni in Rich Antonini, Paul Doyle and Vivian Pickard,” Ferris State President Bill Pink said. “We will hear inspiring stories on a night where we will celebrate 25 years of The Ferris Foundation for Excellence Benefit, showing the impact of our university and its graduates.” 

Ferris State is a primary pipeline for leaders in Michigan communities, with 92 percent of all graduates staying in the state after earning their degree.  

Antonini is a Class of 1986 alum who recently retired from Plante Moran, where he was a partner in the firm. Doyle, a Class of 1979 alum, has worked in the healthcare industry in West Michigan since 1985. Pickard, from the Class of 1977, retired after over three decades at General Motors, including serving as president of the General Motors Foundation and director of GM Corporate Relations. 

Panelists plan to share their experiences ascending to community leadership roles on a foundation of a Ferris State education. The alumni will discuss the impact Ferris State graduates, emerging from the 190-plus academic programs the university offers, have in their communities. 

Arlen-Dean Gaddy, chair of The Ferris Foundation’s Board of Directors and vice president of West Michigan-based Erhardt Construction, sees this 25th-anniversary celebration as an opportunity for reflection on a rich history and looks ahead to a bright future. 

“I look forward to hearing inspiring stories of leadership from our alumni and recognizing some of the people who make Ferris State University a great institution of higher learning,” Gaddy said. “This silver anniversary of The Ferris Foundation for Excellence Benefit makes a night we already look forward to even more special as we again celebrate the legacy of Woodbridge Ferris’ vision of providing access to higher education.” 

Kathy Mullins, vice president of University Advancement and Marketing, said the annual event connects alumni and salutes their support for the university’s students and their success. Donor contributions can have a lifelong impact for Ferris students. 

"I’m proud to welcome alumni who are making an impact in communities across Michigan and hear their stories of leadership, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps,” Mullins said. “The Ferris Foundation for Excellence Benefit gathers people who care about Ferris and are driven to create scholarship opportunities to expand access to higher education while helping fund our faculty and staff with innovative pursuits inside and outside the classroom that can change lives for the better.” 

The Ferris Foundation for Excellence Benefit started in 1999 and has been running strong for decades and years, dedicated to a grassroots mission of developing external support for Ferris State students, faculty, and staff. 

“The Ferris Foundation for Excellence Benefit is a great opportunity to spread the word about what we’re building here at Ferris State University and what the leadership of The Ferris Foundation is doing to support the university’s mission,” said Jen Shaw, associate vice president for Advancement and executive director of The Ferris Foundation.

For more information about sponsorships and tickets for The Ferris Foundation for Excellence Benefit, contact Kimberly Erickson at (231) 591-3825 or email FerrisFoundation@ferris.edu.