Tag Archives: Ferris State University

Leading expert in race studies to lead special joint Presidential Library program on March 28

2-row, Citizen Journalism, Education, Kent County, Local Business, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , , , , ,
(Left) Cyndi Tied with Dr. David Pilgrim, founder and director of the Jim Crow Museum (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Dr. David Pilgrim (Courtesy, Jim Crow Museum/FSU)

Highly regarded as an expert in race studies, Dr. David Pilgrim will share the mission of the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Imagery at an exclusive Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum and Barack Obama Presidential Library joint event.

“We are honored to welcome Dr. Pilgrim to the Ford Museum as a guest speaker for our first collaborative event with the Barack Obama Presidential Library,” said Brooke Clement, Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and Acting Director of the Barack Obama Presidential Library, in supplied material.

“We are fortunate to have him on-location where he will be able to share his expertise and passion on the history of the African-American experience in America.”

Teaching tolerance with objects of intolerance

Scheduled for Thursday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m., “Using Objects of Intolerance to Teach Tolerance and Promote Social Justice with Dr. David Pilgrim” is open to the public, free, and will be live-streamed through Zoom. It will also be recorded on the Barack Obama Presidential Library YouTube channel for those who wish to attend remotely.

There are many offensive and racist objects still used in society today (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

With a 20,000-piece collection of racist artifacts, the Jim Crow Museum – located on the Ferris State University (FSU) campus – is the nation’s most extensive and accessible collection of artifacts of intolerance.

The museum contextualizes the dreadful impact of Jim Crow laws and customs, and uses objects of intolerance to teach tolerance and promote a more just society. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with Dr. Pilgrim during a question and answer session.

After walking through the “Overcoming Hateful Things” Jim Crow Museum traveling exhibit at the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) in 2023, Clement knew she wanted to bring Dr. Pilgrim to the Ford Museum.

“The display (at GRPM) was incredibly moving. It’s something that, as a community, it is important for us to take on as a mission – and amplify it. We don’t want to skirt around it,” Clement told WKTV.

When Clement reached out to Dr. Pilgrim, he inquired about her connection to the Obama Library and expressed interest in making the event a collaborative effort.

With the combined historical expertise of both Dr. Pilgrim and Clement, the “Using Objects of Intolerance” event is sure to challenge and enlighten attendees.

Many recognizable songs contain lyrics that are racist in nature (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Learning from the past

Best known as the founder and director of the Jim Crow Museum, Dr. Pilgrim also serves as Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion, and Strategic Initiatives at FSU. In addition, Pilgrim has authored three books: Understanding Jim Crow; Watermelons, Nooses, and Straight Razors; and Haste to Rise (with Franklin Hughes).

Dr. Pilgrim has lectured at dozens of institutions, including Stanford University, the University of Michigan, Smith College, and the University of North Carolina.

Understanding history is vital in shaping an enlightened future (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

With a history teacher for a father, Clement and her sister found themselves shuttled to various historical landmarks and museums throughout her childhood.

“By the time I was in high school, I realized that I really enjoyed learning about our past,” said Clement.

What followed was a Bachelor of Arts in American History and American Culture at the University of Michigan. Clement also holds a Master of Liberal Arts in American Studies at Columbia University in New York.

Having participated in an archival work study at Columbia University’s archives, Clement was offered a position at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor, thus beginning her National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) career.

Clement has worked in senior management and archival positions at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, and most recently the Barack Obama Presidential Library.

Historical understanding can bring an enlightened future

Clement is dedicated to providing a clearer understanding of the nation’s history to attendees of the upcoming event.

“I’m hoping audience members are going to be challenged, they’ll be enlightened by the discussion, and that they can walk away from it with a clearer understanding and better sense of our history,” said Clement.

Franklin Hughes (left) talking with David Pilgrim (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


Clement went on to say that acknowledging the past and learning from it are important. “I would like the Ford Museum to be seen by the community as a place in which we’re willing to have those hard discussions.”

However, growth and understanding should not stop there.

“I feel like we can always do better,” said Clement. “I think there’s always room for improvement in terms of how much we are willing to dive into hard topics, and how much we’re willing to reach out and cross that divide.”

Crossing the divide: Upcoming events

Clement’s determination to reach across that divide is demonstrated by several upcoming Ford Museum events.

“We have Dr. Barbara Savage coming (March 14), and she’s going to be talking about West Michigander Merze Tate [and her] impressive role in the education movement,” said Clement.

During the month of April, the Ford Museum will host a First Ladies Conference as well as an event featuring The New York Times chief White House correspondent Peter Baker. The month of August will highlight a new Ford Museum exhibit.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is celebrating 50 years! (Supplied)


“We’re also heavily planning for 50th anniversary programming,” said Clement. “It’s the 50th anniversary of [President Ford’s] swearing in, so we will definitely be highlighting that.”

Clement went on to say that the mission of the Presidential Library system is more than just general history.

“We get opportunities like this to tell not only the history of the President, the First Lady, and the Presidency in general, but also to reach out and do historical analysis of things like what Dr. Pilgrim is bringing to us,” said Clement.

Learn more!

Check out these resource links:

Barack Obama Presidential Library

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum

National Archives

Jim Crow Museum

Four Ferris State students join WKTV as interns

3-bottom, WKTV Projects,

WKTV is pleased to offer four full-time internships to students this June through December. 

Over the next six months seniors at Ferris State University are joining the WKTV Journal Community Newsroom; WKTV’s Television and Digital Cinema department and WKTV’s Podcasting Studio.

Welcome to Matt, Rachael, Cole and Tyler.  If you are interested in an internship, contact tom@wktv.org or joanne@wktv.org.

GVSU launches project to help develop nonprofit boards

3-bottom, , ,

By Nate Hoekstra
Grand Valley State University


While leaders of nonprofit organizations know that their board members can have a significant impact on the work an organization does, few resources exist to help leaders build their own abilities to work with board members and select board members who can effectively foster success.

The Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University is working to help the nonprofit sector develop more diverse and inclusive boardrooms while ensuring effective board experiences that will help organizations thrive.

The Johnson Center is launching a new initiative, The Ecosystem for Nonprofit Leadership, in partnership with Ferris State University and other area nonprofit organizations. Co-chaired by Tamela Spicer, program manager at the Johnson Center, and Carlos Sanchez, director of the Latino Business and Economic Development Center at FSU, the initiative seeks to prepare community members for board service and develop greater nonprofit capacity to support effective boards.

“We know that nonprofits are vital to healthy communities and are instrumental in the success of local governments and businesses,” said Spicer. “However, governing boards can be the deciding factor in the success or struggles of a nonprofit organization despite competent leadership and staffing. We want to ensure that community members are equipped for board service and can easily connect to organizations that will foster that service.”

The initiative is driven by leaders from local organizations and aims to develop a curriculum that can be integrated into existing leadership programs, making board service training more accessible to the community.

The program is being supported by leaders from many area organizations, including Mercy Health, Kids’ Food Basket, the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Urban League, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Amway and more.

For more information, visit johnsoncenter.org.

Ferris State wins $1.2m grant for low-income STEM scholarship program

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Education, , , , , , ,

Dr. Kristi Haik (photo supplied)

By Craig Clark, Clark Communications

 

Ferris State University has received a $1.2 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to establish Project S3OAR, a 4-year program that seeks to recruit, retain and graduate low-income, academically talented students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

 

Starting in fall 2019, Ferris State University will be able to provide up to $10,000 in scholarships for low-income STEM degree students. The grant aims to help boost STEM degrees in order to accommodate local and national demand in science, technology, engineering and math industries. FSU officials are available for interviews on the topic.

 

Project S3OAR, short for Sustainable, Scalable Scholarships, Opportunities, Achievements and Results (pronounced SOAR-three), is a partnership with Northern Kentucky University (NKU) and builds upon the lessons NKU learned from previous successful STEM grants awarded by the NSF.  The total amount awarded to both universities for this collaborative project is $2.3 million.

 

Starting in fall 2019, both universities will enroll 36 students each year for four years. With the help of the grant, 288 scholars will receive up to $10,000 in scholarship funding toward their degree.

 

S3OAR Scholars will participate in an orientation, a freshman seminar, a learning community, entrepreneurship education and a variety of co-curricular and enrichment opportunities, in addition to being assigned a mentor.

 

Dr. Hengli Jiao (photo supplied)

All S3OAR Scholars will also have access to an extensive array of support services available to all STEM students at their university.

 

Dr. Hengli Jiao, Ph.D., mathematics professor at Ferris, is the principal investigator. Dr. Kristi Haik, Ph.D., dean of Ferris’ College of Arts and Sciences, and Brent Williams, a Ferris State welding engineering technology associate professor, serve as a co-principal investigators. Dr. Haik formerly worked at NKU and was instrumental in developing the original program.

 

“Ferris State University is thrilled to be awarded this NSF grant alongside our counterparts at Northern Kentucky,” said Dr. Haik. “There is a national need for skilled, technically-trained employees, so we are eager to help this underserved population of students find success in these fields.”

 

Both Michigan and Kentucky are below the national average of persons ages 25 and over with at least a baccalaureate degree (27.4 percent for Michigan and 22.7 percent for Kentucky; 30.3 percent nationally). Conversely, the regions served by the universities rank in the top 20 for regions with the most professional opportunities for STEM graduates.

 

This news should be well received by West Michigan employers who are looking for STEM graduates. Both universities have already engaged with employers to provide job shadow experiences for the S3OAR Scholars.

 

“There are more than 100 employers who regularly work with Ferris and Northern Kentucky students in co-op, internship and shadowing situations,” said Dr. Jiao. “Many employers have already given verbal commitment to provide job shadowing opportunities, but we are always looking for more, so of all the students can benefit from the experience.”

 

Brent Williams (photo supplied)

Interested employers can contact the Ferris State University College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office for more information.

 

Project S3OAR Objectives 

  1. Increase the STEM enrollment of low-income, academically-talented undergraduates, particularly those from underrepresented groups in STEM, by 10 percent.
  2. Achieve a 90 percent retention rate during the transition from first to second year.
  3. Increase the retention and graduation rates of S3OAR Scholars compared to similar populations in both the STEM disciplines and the university.
  4. Document the program’s sustainability and scalability.
  5. Determine the effectiveness of job shadowing STEM professionals on the first- to second-year retention rate of S3OAR Scholars.

GVSU joins initiative to increase students of color in health care fields

3-bottom, , , , , , , ,

Shannon Wilson, executive director of GRAAHI, speaks during a news conference about the Pathways to Careers in Health Care initiative June 28 at the Kent ISD Conference Center.

By Michele Coffill

Grand Valley State University

 

Grand Valley State University and six other area higher education institutions will work to increase the number of students of color who choose health care fields while in college, then succeed in the workforce.

 

The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI) announced a “Pathways to Careers in Health Care” initiative to engage with area colleges and universities through a $400,000 planning grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek. Shannon Wilson, executive director of GRAAHI, said the grant allows for college-specific plans of action to engage students of color and help reduce barriers to choosing to study in health care professions.

 

“This is by far the most influential grant we have received,” Wilson said during a news conference held June 28 at the Kent ISD Conference Center. “It has the potential to change how medical care is delivered in Grand Rapids, and by whom. We can reduce disparities in health care when our health care workforce mirrors the diversity of our community.”

 

President Thomas J. Haas said the Pathways initiative supports Grand Valley’s strategic plan to increase the diversity of its campus community to reflect that of West Michigan’s population. Hear more in this video.

 

“This work fits with the university’s other initiatives to prepare students of color for success in college and the workforce; and this project is aligned with Grand Valley’s commitment to the state of Michigan to fill the health care talent pipeline with qualified and diverse health care employees,” Haas said.

 

Pictured are leaders from area colleges and universities, plus staff members from Grand Rapids African American Health Institute.

Other institutions participating in the Pathways initiative are Aquinas College, Calvin College, Davenport University, Ferris State University, Grand Rapids Community College and Hope College. GRAAHI will engage with each institution in addition to connecting with parents and high school counselors.

 

Wilson said white health care workers represent more than 50 percent of employees in almost every occupation category. She cited a 2004 report from the Institute of Medicine and the Sullivan Commission that identified the lack of people of color in health care fields as a contributing factor in overall quality of care.

 

The Pathways project has overall goals of mirroring diversity in the community by 2040, establishing early exposure to advance health care practice careers throughout the K-12 experience, and developing a cohort of African American and Latino/a health care leaders.

Ferris State University receives $150,000 grant from Grand Rapids Community Foundation

3-bottom, , , ,

FSU President David Eisler said Ferris is “extremely grateful to the Grand Rapids Community Foundation for its support of our Latino Business and Economic Development Center.”

By Craig Clark

 

Ferris State University has announced that the Grand Rapids Community Foundation awarded a three-year grant valued at $150,000 to the university’s Latino Business and Economic Development Center (LBEDC). The funds, awarded from the foundation’s Fund for Community Good, will be used for programming that helps address issues of workforce development, economic disparity, civic engagement, and overall leadership development in Grand Rapids’ Latino community.

 

“Ferris State University is extremely grateful to the Grand Rapids Community Foundation for its support of our Latino Business and Economic Development Center,” said Ferris President David Eisler. “This investment will help strengthen and support the work of (LBEDC Director) Carlos Sanchez with young professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs, creating opportunities for success both in the workplace and community.”

 

Carlos Sanchez

The Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Fund for Community Good provides unrestricted funding to applicants who meet certain criteria.

 

“Grand Rapids Community Foundation is committed to working with community partners like Ferris State University to build an inclusive economy to grow a thriving community,” said Grand Rapids Community Foundation President Diana Sieger. “This program amplifies the ability for our region to thrive due to the focus on diversity. The bilingual, culturally-relevant and mentorship-based efforts of the LBEDC have proven to help young people gain workplace and community leadership skills and grow networks of support.”

 

With the increased funding, LBEDC leaders expect to add more programming and networking opportunities for its participants.

 

“The Grand Rapids Community Foundation grant will help fund programs that equip young Latino professionals with the skills, resources, and confidence needed to become leaders at work and in their own communities,” said Ferris Latino Business and Economic Development Center Director Carlos Sanchez. “Our Latino entrepreneurs will be more prepared to launch and expand successful businesses and empowered to take ownership of their future.” Sanchez is also a member of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation board of trustees.

 

This grant builds on the core priority of building partnerships and community development initiatives that Ferris State University and The Ferris Foundation outlined in its $80 million comprehensive campaign, Now & Always, which was publicly launched in November of 2017.

 

Under president David Eisler’s direction, Ferris State University has taken a leadership role in committing resources and encouraging economic growth in West Michigan by working to develop young Latinos into leaders. The university believes the entire West Michigan region benefits.

 

“The Latino community in the United States is rapidly growing and will continue to have a profound impact on society, culture, the workforce, our economy and our businesses,” adds Eisler. “By ensuring that we are developing strong leaders who understand themselves as professionals and the importance of civic engagement, Ferris is helping Michigan move forward.”

 

Since its inception in 2013, the LBEDC’s Latino Talent Initiative has graduated nearly 100 individuals and has seen 50 people participate in the 11-week Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative program since 2017.

Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia receives artwork donation valued at $2 million

3-bottom, , ,

Curator for the Jim Crow Museum shows some of the 135 photographs by David Levinthal recently donated to the museum

The Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University has received a powerful collection of artwork by noted photographer David Levinthal valued at more than $2 million, pending receipt of appraisal.

 

The gift, from an anonymous donor, includes 135 large-format Polaroids, primarily from Levinthal’s legendary Blackface series, but complemented with works from his Barbie and Mein Kampf series.

 

With this donation, it is believed that the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, which is internationally-known for its collection of racist memorabilia, now possesses one of the largest collections of Levinthal’s Blackface originals in the world.

 

Museum officials have catalogued all of the items and are preparing many for public exhibition. A grand opening event is expected to occur in December.

 

David Levinthal

After being contacted by the donor’s representative, David Pilgrim, vice president for Diversity and Inclusion at Ferris and founder and curator of the Jim Crow Museum, immediately knew the magnitude of the impact this gift would bring to the Museum and all who visit.

 

“Levinthal’s Blackface series is a blunt, unfiltered rendering of anti-black representations in the objects once—no, still—found in our homes,” Pilgrim said.

 

“He used his camera to document the ugly representations of African-Americans in the toys, games, and dolls played with by this nation’s children. These images both reflected and shaped attitudes toward black people. Levinthal’s prints will be invaluable teaching tools for the Jim Crow Museum,” Pilgrim added.

 

The Blackface series is a powerful and thought-provoking exhibition of black memorabilia and racist household objects, many of which are currently collected and displayed as part of the Museum’s educational and scholarly mission to use objects of intolerance to examine expressions of racism and promote social justice.

 

David Pilgrim

“This wonderful gift to the Jim Crow Museum and Ferris is one of the most significant gifts that we have ever received,” said Ferris President David Eisler.

 

“This gift reflects Dr. Pilgrim’s internationally-recognized leadership and commitment to educating the public on examining expressions of racism and promoting social justice,” Eisler noted.

 

Aside from the Blackface series, the Museum also acquired notable pieces from Levinthal’s equally impressive Barbie and Mein Kampf series, which Museum officials are eager to display.

 

“Like the Blackface series, Levinthal’s prints from the Barbie and Mein Kampf series will help the Jim Crow Museum—and its companion facility, the Museum of Sexist Objects, explore sexism and other forms of oppression,” said Pilgrim.

 

“Receiving a gift of this size demonstrates the unmatched significance that the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia has on our society. We are grateful for donors such as this who choose to help us in this endeavor to educate and inform,” added Bob Murray, associate vice president of Advancement at Ferris.

 

The gift of Levinthal’s work to the Jim Crow Museum has already started to become known by researchers and scholars.

 

“David Levinthal’s provocative Blackface photographic prints belong in the Jim Crow Museum, a public space that daily critiques demeaning and debilitating stereotypes of African-Americans,” said Henry Louis Gates, Jr., director of the Hutchins Center for African and African-American Research at Harvard University.

 

Levinthal, who has received a Guggenheim Fellowship and a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, has works included in numerous museum collections including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum, and The Menil Collection.

Godwin Heights honors one of its own, Chris Pulliams, prior to home football game

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Education, Local Faces, Sports,

Chris Pulliams, at his induction into the Ferris State University Hall of Fame this month. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

Chris Pulliams

“Student. Athlete. Intern. Coach. Athletic Director. Teacher. Mentor.” — Those were the words used to describe long-time Wyoming Godwin Heights teacher, administrator and coach Chris Pulliams prior to the school’s Sept. 1 home football game.

 

Joining him at center field during a ceremony honoring Pulliams impending induction into the Ferris State University’s Hall of Fame were Principal Chad Conklin, Athletic Director Rob Hisey, and head varsity football coach Carlton Brewster, as the stadium announcer told the crowd: “We say congratulations and thanks by honoring Chris Pulliams for his dedication to his work, whether that be in the classroom or on the field, he continues to give back to the Godwin community in immeasurable ways! Chris Pulliams, we thank you for being what it means ‘To Be a Godwin Heights Wolverine’.”

 

Pulliams was inducted into the Ferris State Hall of Fame Sept. 15.

 

Pulliams arrived at Godwin as a student and athlete, according to supplied information. He played varsity football at Godwin Heights before moving on to success as a running back at Ferris State, where he currently ranks sixth on the school’s all-time career rushing chart with 2,743 yards and 35 TD’s in his career. He claimed All-America honors in 1995 and was a two-time All-GLIAC tailback. He received the 1996 GLIAC McAvoy Leadership Award. He ran for a career-high 1,729 yards and 23 scores during the 1995 season, which ranks as the most yards in a single-campaign by a FSU tailback in school history. His performance helped the Bulldogs post a 12-1 overall record in route to the school’s first NCAA Division II National Semifinal appearance.

 

He was also a First Team MIFC All-Academic choice in 1996 with a 3.29 GPA in Business Education.

 

Next, after graduating from college, and teaching at Forest Hills Public Schools, he returned to Godwin Heights as athletic director.

 

“Two years later, he moved back into the classroom as a teacher in order to impact our students academically; this truly is his calling. He continues to dedicate his days, nights, and weekends in honor of our students’ needs,” the announcer told the crowd.

 

Ferris State’s recent accreditation allows students to enter workforce as in-demand certified professionals

3-bottom,

Ferris State University’s (FSU) College of Health Professionals announces that its Molecular Diagnostics program, located at the university’s Grand Rapids campus, has received national accreditation through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) as a Diagnostic Molecular Scientist training program.

 

The program is one of only two accredited molecular diagnostics programs in Michigan, and one of only nine programs in the United States.

 

NAACLS accreditation is voluntary and requires the program to meet or exceed standards for the faculty, curriculum, and institution involved in training laboratory professionals for this cutting-edge field of clinical medicine.

 

“This accreditation will have a positive impact on our students, both by allowing them to qualify for certification once they graduate, and also by holding us accountable to NAACLS’ high standards for curriculum, transparency, and continuous improvement of the program.”  said Dr. Jacqueline Peacock, Molecular Diagnostics program director.  “Our graduates are able to fill clinical positions in the workforce immediately after graduation.”

 

As graduates of a NAACLS accredited program, FSU molecular diagnostics graduates are now able to sit for the certification exam as a Molecular Biology Technologist with the American Society for Clinical Pathology, which recognizes NAACLS accredited programs.  Without this accreditation, graduates are required to have a full year of work experience before they could sit for the exam.

 

“Our Molecular Diagnostics program at Ferris State University currently has 12 clinical affiliations at well-respected clinical, research, and business facilities from which our senior students may choose to intern.” said David Petillo, Ph.D., MT(ASCP)CMMB, clinical coordinator\assistant professor, College of Health Professions, Molecular Diagnostics Program.  “These internship opportunities allow our students a substantial advantage in pursuing both immediate employment and graduate opportunities.”

 

For more information about the program, visit ferris.edu.

KCAD grad from Kentwood among 16 to be honored for rare level of mastery

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , ,

Eric Schroeder (photo by Kierstynn Holman)

By Elena Tislerics, KCAD

 

Each year, those Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD) students who exhibit a rare level of mastery and accomplishment in their chosen field are honored with the Excellence Award, the epitome of KCAD student achievement.

 

“Throughout their time at KCAD, these individuals have exhibited an exemplary work ethic, dedication, curiosity, and thirst for knowledge and experience that has empowered them to get the most out of their education,” said KCAD President Leslie Bellavance. “We congratulate them on this accomplishment, and look forward to celebrating their continuing excellence as KCAD alumni.”

 

Kentwood resident, Eric Schroeder is among those being honored. Outside of his success in the classroom, Schroeder was named a finalist in the 2017 Bienenstock Furniture Library Design Competition, a prestigious competition that invites students from around the country to submit their best original furniture designs for a chance to win scholarship funding.

 

He also completed internships with Grand Rapids, Mich. furniture design and manufacturing company Guild Nines and New York City-based furniture/theatre designer Doug Fitch. While still a student, he landed a job as a product designer with Muskegon, Mich.-based Bold Furniture, where he is currently employed.

 

Upon graduating, Schroeder will continue to design products and furniture for Bold Furniture, and plans to eventually pursue a graduate degree in product design.

 

Kingfisher End Table (image courtesy of Eric Schroeder)

“Eric doesn’t wait for opportunities to find him — he seeks them out and explores them fearlessly,” said Associate Professor and Furniture Design Program Chair Gayle DeBruyn. “He also enjoys collecting and restoring mid-century modern furniture and nicely ties his passion for this style of design to his own.

 

“Clean, functional, elegant furniture is difficult to design; it requires a clear understanding of manufacturing and materials capabilities. For this, Eric engages his network to assist him. His employer, Bold Furniture, agreed to prototype a line of furniture specifically for Eric’s senior capstone project, and we can’t wait to see his work during the KCAD Annual Student Exhibition.”

 

The other honorees are:

  • Kelsey Ballast Pasma (Grand Rapids, Mich.) – Interior Design
  • Ashely Bryant (Grand Haven, Mich.) – Illustration
  • Lauren Gravelyn (Chelsea, Mich.) – Allesee Metals and Jewelry Design
  • Chelsea Harris (Louisville, Ky.) – Painting
  • Brian Howland (Grand Rapids, Mich.) – Drawing
  • Courtney Jackson (Muskegon, Mich.) – Art History
  • Matthew Johnson (South Haven, Mich.) – Industrial Design
  • Sarah Laverty (Houghton Lake, Mich.) – Photography
  • Maggie Livengood (Appleton, Wis.) – Art Education
  • Alyssa Minatel (Linden, Mich.) – Medical Illustration
  •  Alyssa Natoci (Ann Arbor, Mich.) – Pamella Roland DeVos School of Fashion, Fashion Studies
  • Erin Schaenzer (Saginaw, Mich.) – Printmaking
  • Chloe Stewart (Grand Blanc, Mich.) – Digital Media
  • Sakino Tomiura (Kawanishi, Japan) – Graphic Design
  • Matt VanSweden (Grand Rapids, Mich.) – Collaborative Design

The 2017 Excellence Award winners will be recognized at an official ceremony on May 5, and their best work will be on display during KCAD’s annual Excellence Awards Exhibition (May 2-18), hosted in The Fed Galleries @ KCAD inside the college’s Woodbridge N. Ferris Building (17 Pearl St. NW).

The Fed Galleries will also be hosting the Masters Thesis Exhibition (May 2-18), spotlighting the fully developed work of the students who have completed their graduate studies.

KCAD’s Annual Student Exhibition (May 2-6), featuring work from each of the college’s programs, will encompass all floors of the college’s 17 Fountain St. NW and Woodbridge N. Ferris Buildings. A campus-wide opening reception will be held on May 2 from 4-7pm. All exhibitions and the reception are free and open to the public. For more information, go here.