Torch News Briefs 10.19.11

Crane/electrical work on campus

Erikson’s Crane, a contractor, has been scheduled by FSU Electrical to provide lifting services and assist with inspection and repair of multiple high lighting structures and light banks.

Work began Oct. 18 and is planned for the locations of High Mount Structure at the north end of Lots 6 and 54, all eight light towers at the West Intramural Fields and light towers along the east side of Top Taggart Field.

Portions of Lots 6, 54 and 55 will be reserved around lighting structures to facilitate placement of the lifting equipment and to ensure the safety around work locations.

In addition, the campus community is asked to be observant of the work area and seek alternative routes.

For any questions regarding the situation, contact Director of Physical Plant Operations and Project Management Mark Eichenberg at ext. 2600.

Ferris hosts “First-Year Success Conference”

Ferris will be hosting the “First-Year Success Conference” for other Michigan colleges and universities to share the best ways of keeping freshmen on campus.

The “Bring and Brag” conference will be hosted in the Rankin Student Center Dome Room from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Participants will check in at the Centennial Dining Room, Rankin 252. There is no charge for Ferris employees. Non-Ferris employees are required to pay a registration fee of $49.

Participants are encouraged to bring their ideas and discuss which tactics work in student retention. Those who attend will participate in roundtable discussions on topics including student engagement, career planning, academic advising, residential experiences, orientation programs and preventing academic drift.

Keynote speaker Tim Cusack will be presenting “Moments in Life: The Fun, The Meaningful, The Unexpected” at 12 p.m. in the Dome Room.

For more information on the conference and registration information, contact Shelly VandePanne, MS coordinator of first year seminars, at ext. 2360.

Search begins for Ferris’ next distinguished teacher

Nominations for the Distinguished Teacher Award for the 2011-12 academic year are currently being accepted.

Twenty-three Ferris professors have received this award. The Distinguished Teacher Award is symbolic of the appreciation of the Ferris State University Faculty for their dedication to and excellence in teaching and contains an award of $2,500. Nominations must be made by tenured or tenure-track faculty.

The nominee must be a tenured faculty member eligible for election in the Academic Senate. The nominee must also be teaching at least 75 percent of a full-time load of which not more than 50 percent is online. Past recipients of the award are not eligible.

The candidate should excel in the areas of teaching excellence, interest in students outside of the classroom, participation in professional development activities and exhibit distinction as a member of the university community as it impacts teaching.

The nomination form must be completed and sent to Paula Hadley at hadleyp@nullferris.edu or turned in to the Academic Senate Office (CSS 208A) by Oct. 26 at 4 p.m.