Student Government awarded its first student scholarship while celebrating 50 years of Student Government at Gala.

Dustin Branting, an HVAC major, was awarded a $2,500 scholastic leadership scholarship at the Gala that was held on April 24 at 7 p.m. in the Rankin Center Dome room. Branting, a part-time Sears employee and expected to be a 2010 Magna Cum Laude graduate, lost his mother to cancer last year. Although Branting suffered a loss, Student Government noted that he not only maintained a 3.8 grade point average, but extended help to many student organizations.

S. John Byington, first Student Government president and Gala guest speaker, spoke to the audience about the Student Government’s early years. Byington, discussed the impact Student Government has had on Ferris State University. During Byington’s presidency, student housing was established, WBRNG student radio, and other organizations.

Now, there is the BIG Event. Byington also helped begin what is now known as Ferris Fest by inviting jazz acts Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Jerry Mulligan to perform concerts. Byington also praised FSU President David Eisler as being the institution’s best president.

“The students wouldn’t have been able to achieve the things they’ve done, without his (Eisler) help,” said Byington. “We are all grateful for his service.”

Current vice president Claire Gould was formally inaugurated as next year’s Student Government president and was presented an engraved gavel by current president Amber Balmer. Gould also gave a speech to thank the general assembly members for their support, previous Student Government presidents and her hopes for next year’s Student Government.

“I have really big shoes to fill,” said Gould. “But after this year, things can only get better.”

A tearful Balmer was also presented an engraved gavel from Student Government to represent her time as president. The night was concluded with a speech from Balmer, thanking members both past and present.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better year or better staff,” said Balmer. “Things will only get better”.

Campus was packed with more than just Ferris students this weekend, as the Residence Hall Association (RHA) hosted its annual Sibs and Kids Weekend.

The event allows siblings of Ferris students to come spend a weekend hanging out with their older siblings on a college campus and also gives them the opportunity to participate in other Sibs and Kids events.

Mary Rynearson, the Sibs and Kids Chair, said “Everything was great except for the weather. We had to move all Saturday’s activities inside of the UREC, but the Rec Center was great with accommodating us.”

Events started on Friday with an ice cream bar, frisbee golf, pie your sibling, various crafts, make your own instrument, and video games.

Activities continued on Saturday with more craft projects, a water balloon toss, horse shoes, and movie showing that featured "Kung Fu Panda".

Participants could also partake in the annual Sibs and Kids 5K Run/ Walk that took place on Saturday morning. All the money collected from registration fees benefited the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Rynearson says that this year there was an increase in participation in the Sibs and Kids weekend event and numbers totaled around 200 this year.

She said, “Overall Sibs and Kids weekend was amazing and I think everyone had a great time. The weekend would not have turned out as well as it did without all of the volunteers that helped to put on the activities and helped register people for the weekend.”

One of the highest honors that a faculty member at Ferris can receive is the Distinguished Teacher Award and this year that honor is bestowed upon Dr. Daniel Adsmond. Adsmond is a professor of organic chemistry and has been teaching at Ferris for the past 17 years.

The Distinguished Teacher Award is presented to a teacher who is an effective teacher, willing to help students and is involved throughout campus. Dr. Adsmond said, “I was honored to be nominated and to even be considered for the award; it’s great affirmation that what I have been doing for 17 years has helped students.”

The Distinguished Teacher each year is chosen by a committee of representatives from each of the academic colleges as well as from the library and an at-large member chosen from a group of professionals.

The process for selection of the Distinguished Teacher Award begins by receiving facility nominations from each of the academic colleges. This year there were eight initial nominations all of which were visited by at least one of the committee members in one of their classes.

After the in-class observations and over 400 student evaluations the initial candidate pool was narrowed to three semifinalists. This year’s semifinalists were Dr. Adsmond, Dr. Gregory Wellman and Dr. Wendy Samuels.

After each of the semifinalists submitted an essay and their curriculum for review by the committee, each of the committee members sat in on one class period taught by each professor. During this second class visit, another 300 student evaluations were collected. Finally the three semifinalists were called in for interviews and the committee made their selection for the 2009 Distinguished Teacher Award. Dr. Adan Dakkuri, the chairman of the selection committee and past recipient of the Distinguished Teacher Award said, “Dr. Adsmond showed not only the qualities of a wonderful teacher he was also very involved with students outside the classroom.” “Adsmond also used various teaching techniques such as group projects and intense laboratory experiments to help encourage student learning,” said Dakkuri.

Adsmond, along with the two other semifinalists, will receive a plaque to commemorate their accomplishments. The plaques are personalized with comments from their students which were collected during the evaluation process. In addition, Adsmond will have the honor of speaking at the winter commencement ceremony held next December. Drew Heath, one of Adsmond’s students said, “organic chemistry is one of the most difficult pregraduate courses at Ferris but Dr. Adsmond is very good at making it understandable for myself and my fellow classmates.”

Adsmond was a semifinalist three years ago and he is pleased to be honored with this prestigious award.

There is a new team on the FSU campus that many students have probably not heard of.

The Human Powered Vehicle Team is a group of students who participate in competitions that use a vehicle built and driven by the team to complete tasks on a set course. The tasks can include basic things such as picking up groceries.

Consisting of a variety of students who primarily come from the welding engineering, mechanical engineering and plastics engineering technology programs, this is the first year that the team has been together and they have already competed in one competition in Philadelphia, Penn.

At the competition, there are a total of three events, one of which the Ferris’ team competed in, which was the Utility event. The vehicle is judged on both the design and the time that it takes to complete the assigned course. The team finished in an overall third place, but learned some lessons along the way.

“We learned a lot about our weak points and areas we need to improve upon for next year’s vehicle,” said Raymond Groendyk, mechanical engineering technology major and president of the team.

The team currently has 11 members, and is in the process of recruiting for next year’s team. Groendyk also stated that he would like to see some welding and electrical students on the team.

There are two competitions each year, an East and a West one. The Ferris team only competes in the Eastern competition, which may be held in Connecticut next April.

“It was a great experience for all of us who were involved, and to see what other students are doing from around the world,” said Steve Linebaugh, team member and mechanical engineering technology major.

Torchbearer Leadership Awards Ceremony
Today from 7 to 9 p.m. in Williams Auditorium the Office of Student Leadership and Activities will present awards to members of the Ferris student body. Awards for Torchbearer Leadership, Rising Star, Five-Star RSOs and Outstanding Advisor will be presented. Admission is free and all are welcome (business attire is requested). For more information contact Student Leadership and Activities at x2606.

Bulldogs Unmuzzled
On Thursday, April 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. in IRC 109 join the FSU Student Government and the Diversity Office as they host Bulldogs Unmuzzled; a program facilitated by students to have discussions with students. The title of this week’s discussion is “How Does Faith, Regardless of Religion, Affect Your Every Day Life?” This event is free and all students are welcome to attend. For more information contact Robbie Rankey at robbie.rankey@gmail.com

Ferris’ Finest Talent Showcase
On Friday, May 1 from 7 to 11 p.m. in Williams Auditorium there will be a talent show performance featuring Ferris students. Admission is $4. For more information contact Andrea Beck-Jones at x2617.

Open Forum on Budget
On Friday, May 1 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Centennial Dining Room (Rankin 252) President David Eisler will be presenting the budget for the upcoming year and answering questions. This event is open for anyone who wishes to attend. For more information Elaine Kamptner at x2500.

WCCO Spring Orchestra Concert
On Sunday, May 3 at 4 p.m. in Williams Auditorium join the West Central Chamber Orchestra (WCCO) as they perform their spring concert. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend. For more information contact Dr. Scott Cohen at x2484.

Exam Week
From Monday, May 4 to Friday, May 8 all semester classes will have their final examinations.

Dump and Run
From Monday, May 4 through Friday, May 8 in all residence hall lobbies students are invited to dump non-perishable food, clean clothing and shoes, school supplies, cleaning supplies, towels and bedding (please no furniture). All materials will be donated to food pantries and youth of the surrounding community. For more information contact Diane Griffin at 231-803-4415.

Pancakes with the President
On Monday, May 4 from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. in the Westview Dinning Facility join President Eisler along with FSU faculty and staff as they serve free pancakes. This event is designed to give students a break from studying and only happens once a semester. For more information contact DeAja Packer at x2611.

One-Way Street
On April 22 at 11:11 p.m., Officers stopped a vehicle driving the wrong way on a one-way street near Lot 16. The stop revealed a small amount of marijuana and paraphernalia. The subject was referred to the Office of Student Conduct.

Illegal Possessions
On April 23 at 12:48 a.m., officers dispatched to Lot 28 for a report of a marijuana smell. Investigation revealed a small amount of marijuana. The subject was arrested for possession of marijuana and possession of stolen property. Subject was lodged in the county jail.

It Wasn’t Me??
On April 21 at 12: 48 a.m., officers responded to suspicious males near the practice football field smoking marijuana. The subject smelled of marijuana but denied the use of. The subject was referred to the Office of Student Conduct.

Suspicious Swipe
On April 21 at 12:30 a.m., officers responded to a Malicious Destruction of Property complaint (MDOP) at Cramer Hall. The card swipe was damaged. Investigation continues.

Keying Cars
On April 17 at 1:05 p.m., officers dispatched to Lot 41 for a Malicious Destruction of Property complaint (MDOP). The subject stated that her car was keyed. No suspects.

Stolen Laptop
On April 19 at 5:30 p.m., officers responded to Clark Hall in reference to a stolen laptop from the study area of the hall. On April 20, investigators at DPS located the stolen laptop and arrested the subject responsible for taking it. The subject was lodged in the county jail. Investigation continues for other related thefts.

Disturbing Noise
On April 17 at 12:53 a.m., officers dispatched to McNerny Hall for a loud subject. Investigation revealed the subject that was making the loud disturbance was cited for MIP.

Triple Vehicle Destruction
On April 16 at 11:00 a.m., officers dispatched to Lot 4 for a MDOP complaint for three separate vehicles. All vehicles were damaged similarly. No suspects.

Phone Thefts
On April 16 at 6:33 p.m., officers dispatched to Mascar Grill for a stolen cell phone complaint. No suspects.

Ticket Totals:
From April 16 through the 23, the Department of Public Safety identified 463 violators. Each violator was ticketed for the total of $8,405. Actual amount depends on whether the ticket was paid, voided, or reduced.

What does tie-dyeing, tribal drumming, a trash fashion show and martial arts have in common?

These events and many others were a part of the third annual awareness week.

Awareness week is coordinated by the professional recreational association RSO.

The activities that take place throughout the week seek to enhance health and wellness. Anna Branner, the student coordinator for the week’s events said, “The idea came about three years ago when my aunt died of cancer and I realized my passion for improving not only my health but the health of others.”

Wellness has many dimensions which include physical, mental, spiritual, social, intellectual and environmental. According to Branner, awareness week activities strive to offer the Ferris community non-traditional ways to discover health and wellness in their lives.

Bryce Johnson, a mechanical and design engineering student said, “Awareness week is great for Ferris and the surrounding community, we could use move events like this one.” Each year the week, which falls week of Arbor Day and earth day, is an opportunity for students to participate in all the events free of charge.

“These activities are great opportunity for everyone to relax and enjoy themselves and the world around them,” said Branner. For more information on awareness week check out facebook and watch for awareness week 2009.

The United States recently declared a public health emergency as several human cases of the swine influenza virus have been identified within U.S. borders.

As of Monday evening, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) had identified 48 cases of the swine flu, many of which are in New York City. The other cases that have been identified were reported in Ohio, Kansas, Texas, and California.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is referring to the outbreak as a “public health emergency of international concern” and raised the alert level to Phase 4, just short of declaring a global emergency. This alert means that there is sustained personto- person transmission of the virus causing outbreaks in at least one country.

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to those commonly linked to regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, coughing, sore throat, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The Health Department says that everyday actions can be taken to reduce the risk of exposure to the swine flu. Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, washing hands with soap and water after coughing or sneezing, using alcohol based hand cleansers, and avoiding touching with your eyes, nose or mouth can reduce your risk of getting the swine flu.

The cases within the U.S. have, so far, not proven to be fatal, however things in Mexico are more severe. So far the death toll has reached over a hundred and it is believed that nearly 2,000 people have been infected.

The U.S. has not yet restricted travel to Mexico, but travelers are advised to avoid travelling into Mexico if possible.

Cases of the swine flu have also recently been reported in Canada and recently reached non-North American area such as Scotland, and Spain.