Ferris State University earned second-place honors in the “Institution of the Year” category in national awards from national collegiate esports organization, recognizing the program’s leadership in the field.

The Scholars is a collegiate gaming symposium created by the team behind the Esports Awards, an organization dedicated to showcasing top-class performance and innovation from players, teams, media, hardware providers, games, events, and personalities within the esports world. 

Ferris State was nominated for Institution of the Year, with Jono Eaton among nine finalists for Program Director of the Year and Kyle Wilkowski among 11 finalists for Collegiate Student Leader of the Year. Professor Adam Antor was one of nine people nominated for the Global Impact on Collegiate Gaming Award.

Boise State University in Idaho earned first-place Institution of the Year honors, and Midland-based Northwood University earned the third-place award.

“I am very pleased to have Ferris recognized as one of the top esports institutions across the globe,” Eaton said. “Kyle and I have dedicated years to the growth and polish of Ferris Esports and we are very thankful that the industry recognizes what we have built. We still have one more rung to climb and our efforts this year will show we can be No. 1 in 2024. That said, I am very proud of this accomplishment, and it wouldn’t have been possible without all the hard work and dedication from our students. I’m glad we get to continue pushing Ferris forward.”

Ferris State in August unveiled it dedicated Esports Arena – the first purpose-built esports arena built in Michigan – to attract new students interested in competitive gaming, and the careers associated with the growing field.

The arena is the centerpiece of the new $32 million Center for Virtual Learning.

The state-of-the-art arena gives production teams enhanced opportunities to gather and present replays during competition and provides space for spectators accommodating 18 participating teams, consistent with the program’s growth goals.

Esports, short for electronic sports, is a form of competition using video games, with participants squaring off as individuals or teams. More than 240 colleges and universities are fielding esports teams with more than 5,000 student-athletes, according to the National Association of Collegiate Esports, a Kansas City based nonprofit.

Ferris’ Esports program was organized in 2017, and Eaton said there has been steady growth to reach 500 club members. With the help of assistant Wilkowksi and a group of dedicated students, Ferris has pushed itself to the forefront of collegiate esports. 

The university began its Bachelor of Science curriculum in Professional Esports Production in Fall 2022. Eaton said Adam Antor, a leading instructor and advocate for Esports on the regional and national scene, will join program chair Varun Singireddy.

The Center for Virtual Learning also houses the Information Security and Intelligence program and the Digital Animation and Game Design curriculum. Also, it hosts Digital Media Software Engineering instruction and offices for the School of Education and be home to Esports gaming and facilities.