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Timeline of Ferris State University History

September 1, 1884   W. N. Ferris and H. G. Ferris open the Big Rapids Industrial School in temporary quarters in the Vandersluis Block (present location of J. C. Penny Co.) in Big Rapids.   

January 1885   Big Rapids Industrial School moves to permanent home at the northwest corner of Michigan and Maple Streets in the Big Rapids Northern National Bank Building.   

January 1885   Name of Big Rapids Industrial School changed to Ferris Industrial School.   

1893   Marius Preysz asks W. N. Ferris for training in pharmacy. His success in passing the state board examination encourages Mr. Ferris to establish a pharmacy department.   

January 1894   Ferris Industrial School moves into and dedicates its new building (Old Main) on the corner of Oak and Ives Streets.   

January 1894   Ferris Industrial School incorporated, with capital stock of $50,000.   

1898   Name changed from Ferris Industrial School to Ferris Institute.   

1900   W. N. Ferris sells capital stock in Ferris Institute to the public, keeping a controlling interest in his own hands.   

1901   Pharmacy Annex Building constructed   

1901   Helen Gillespie Ferris retires as teacher of Ferris Institute.   

1902   Bert Scott Travis becomes secretary and treasurer of Ferris Institute. Gerrit Masselink becomes Vice President of Ferris Institute.   

January 1, 1913   W. N. Ferris inaugurated Governor of Michigan.   

November 7, 1922   W. N. Ferris elected United States Senator from Michigan.

1923   W. N. Ferris sells controlling interest in Ferris Institute to Gerrit Masselink and Bert Scott Travis. Ferris institute is reorganized as a non-profit school with non dividend bearing stock.   

October 30, 1926   First homecoming, sponsored by Phi Sigma Chi fraternity.   

March 23, 1928   W. N. Ferris dies in Washington, D. C.   

March 24, 1928   Gerrit Masselink takes office as second president of Ferris Institute   

April 25,1929   Gerrit Masselink dies. An advisory board of Grover C. Baker, E. M. Clark, K. G. Merrill and E. J. Parr chosen to manage the school. E. M. Clark, as chair of the board becomes acting president.   

September 4, 1929   Alpheus A. Worcester takes office as acting president.   

October 19, 1929  Alumni building dedicated.   

July 1, 1930  Wells D. White takes office as fourth president.   

August 25, 1931   The Board of Incorporators, a group of 39 businessmen purchase Ferris Institute from the old stockholders and select a board of trustees from their number to govern school.   

February 12, 1931   Pioneer sports writer Lester "Jap" Williams gives the Ferris Institute athletic teams (notably the Basketball team) the nickname "Bulldogs."   

1931   Wells D. White leaves the presidency, an executive board consisting of E. M. Clark, E. J. Parr and K. G. Merrill chosen to manage the school. E. M. Clark, as chairman of the board is acting president.   

1932   Ernest E. Brown, of Oklahoma takes office as fifth president.   

July 13, 1936   Merle S. Ward takes office as seventh president.    

February 1943   Ferris Institute alumnus Colin Smith introduces a bill in the legislature for the state to purchase Ferris Institute. It passes both houses but is vetoed by Gov. Harry Kelly.  

April 1946   Merle S. Ward leaves the presidency after a misunderstanding with the Board of Trustees.    July 10, 1946Byron J. Brophy takes office as president.   

May 17, 1949   Governor G. Mennen Williams signs bill accepting Ferris Institute as a gift to the State of Michigan, which will take over its governance on July 1, 1950.   

February 21, 1950   Old Main and Old Pharmacy buildings destroyed by fire, only the Alumni Building and some minor buildings left standing.   

July 1, 1950   Ferris Institute becomes a state college.   

September 8, 1952   Victor F. Spathelf takes office as tenth president.   

July 1, 1963   Name changed from Ferris Institute to Ferris State College   

Fall 1968   First Ferris undefeated football team. Bob Leach, coach.   

December 15, 1970   Victor F. Spathelf retires as president.   

March 15, 1971   Robert L. Ewigleben takes office as 12th president.   

1983-1984   Celebration of centennial of Ferris State College.   

June 30,1984   Robert L. Ewigleben retires as president.   

July 1, 1984   J. William Wenrich takes office as 13th president.   

November 1987   Name changed from Ferris State College to Ferris State University.   

September 5, 1988   J. William Wenrich leaves the presidency.   

August 1, 1989   Helen Popovich takes office as 15th president.   

August 1, 1994   William A. Sederburg takes office as interim president.   

August 1, 1995   William A. Sederburg officially appointed the 16th president   

May 2003   William A. Sederburg leaves office to accept position as president of Utah Valley State College   

July 2003   David L. Eisler takes office as the 18th president.

University Archivist/Special Collections Librarian

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Melinda Isler
Contact:
University Archives
Alumni 101
410 Oak Street
Big Rapids MI 49307
(231) 591-3731