The Ferris State Roboday 2024 event has proven to be a resounding success, generating excitement not only for its competitive atmosphere but how it showcased the university’s facilities and campus life.
Held at the Jim Wink Arena, this off-season robotics competition drew in participants from across Michigan and left a lasting impression on students, mentors and volunteers alike. The event’s organization and the university’s efforts to elevate the experience for attendees have laid the groundwork for a bright future for robotics at Ferris State.
Participants and mentors had plenty of praise for the Jim Wink Arena, which served as the heart of the competition. Wayne Tenbr, a mentor for NC GEARS Robotics Center out of Fremont, Mich., noted how much better the arena performed this year compared to previous events.
“The arena was well put together and well organized. In the past, the arena was rushed to put together, causing many faults in the field, but this year it has not been a problem,” Tenbrink said.
Tenbrink’s comments highlight how the university learned from past experiences to ensure a smoother, more professional event.
This sentiment was echoed by Jordan McClain, team captain for MARS Rovers 4004 from Muskegon, Michigan, who praised the improved setup. “The field was much better this year,” McClain said, emphasizing the importance of a well-maintained and functional competition space.
He also shared how much he enjoyed exploring Ferris’ facilities, particularly the engineering building, commenting on how well the welding program was organized and how interconnected the facilities were.
The campus also left a lasting impression on visitors, with many expressing interest in the university as a potential destination for their academic futures. Don Walker, a mentor for Da Mouse from Port Huron, noted that events like Roboday sparked greater interest in robotics on campus.
“Two of the old students on the team have come to Ferris as students and learned of Ferris from Roboday,” Walker said.
Walker enjoyed the organization on campus and amenities, particularly the free meals offered at the Rock Cafe, which added a welcoming touch to the event.
The event allowed high school participants to see Ferris State in action and gain an understanding of the academic programs available to them. Many students, like McClain, were particularly impressed with the hands-on learning environments the campus offers. The exposure to the university’s programs during Roboday may encourage more students to consider Ferris for their higher education, especially those already interested in science, technology, engineering and math fields.
The success of Roboday was due in no small part to the hard work of Ferris State volunteers. Janek Vedock, an accounting student at Ferris who volunteered for the event, shared his thoughts on the growth of the event compared to previous years. Vedock also noted that there were more volunteers this year, which contributed to the event’s success.
“Even though it is on the smaller side, the in-season event later in the year will hopefully attract more attention,” Vedock said.
Ferris’ involvement in the FIRST Robotics community and its increasing focus on hosting robotics competitions underscores its commitment to fostering innovation in STEM fields.
For students like Mackenzie Clayton, who is part of the university’s Robotics Student Organization (RSO), the upcoming in-season event in March will be the key to raising the profile of robotics on campus. However, she believes it will require robust advertising and promotions to attract more Ferris students to these events.
“The season event in March will reach students on campus, but it would require a very strong marketing campaign to attract more Ferris students,” Clayton said.
Roboday 2024 has not only provided an exciting competition for high school robotics teams, but demonstrated Ferris’ potential to be a central hub for robotics education and events. The positive feedback from participants and mentors alike suggests that the university’s facilities and campus experience are highly valued, and with continued improvements, Ferris could become a premier destination for future robotics competitions.
The exposure to high school students, many of whom are at a pivotal stage in deciding their academic futures, positions Ferris State as an attractive option for those looking to continue their STEM education. As Walker mentioned, past Roboday events have already influenced students to enroll at Ferris, and the 2024 event seems poised to inspire even more.
The upcoming in-season event in March will be another opportunity for Ferris to shine, and with the momentum gained from Roboday 2024, it could attract an even larger audience, further solidifying the university’s standing in the robotics community. For now, the event has set a strong foundation for the growth of both robotics competitions and the broader STEM initiatives at Ferris State University.