Host Dr. David Pilgrim talks about the coming Wall of Hate and its importance to Ferris State Students. The Wall of Hate is a wall that FSU students will build with bricks. The bricks will then be painted with all types of slurs and demeaning words representing hatred and oppression. It will then be knocked down by students as a symbolism for intolerable hatred. The Ferris Wall of Hate will be displayed on the University's Quad October 18-22.

Bryan Lochan, who came up with the idea to bring the Wall of Hate to Ferris, is a Resident Advisor. Bryan participated in similar diversity events but none as impactful as he hopes this will be. He has taken great initiative in gathering support from the Students of FSU as well as many administrative offices and Registered Student Organizations.

Sarah Gross, a Ferris Student, feels that this project is bound to make a difference. Upon hearing about it she immediately thought that it was time for an event of this stature. She feels that the Students of FSU need an event like this in order to allow us to grow and learn more about each other as a people.

Hurdylyn Woods Jr., the Assistant Director of Residential Programs and Services, supports this project whole heartedly. He believes that this program will break a lot of social barriers and bring more understanding to the FSU campus as well as the Big Rapids Community.

Host, Dr. David Pilgrim interviews three representatives that were directly involved with the Take Back the Night program this year. His guests were Jasmine Williams (Take Back the Night Student Chair), Cindy Horn (Director of University Recreation), and Nicholas Campau (Coordinator of Student Life).

Take Back the Night is an event where students march across campus protesting domestic violence and sexual assault. Immediately after the march the students, as well as members of the community convene in the Dome room for the Rally. There are speaker’s there to promote awareness and share their stories.
The involvement from the campus as well as the community has been amazing throughout the years. The March across campus was very impactful and gained the attention of on looker’s as well as raising their awareness of this event. At this year’s Rally there were people sitting and standing everywhere so that they could be involved.

Dr. Pilgrim’s guest felt like the event was very successful this year and its impact was great on the Big Rapids Community. This year’s event not only raised awareness but it also taught forgiveness. The speaker’s this year were very heartfelt and their stories were enormously impactful.
If you are a victim or you know someone that may need help, please contact W.I.S.E at 1800-374-9473. For more information on Take Back the Night contact Student Leadership and Activities at 231-591-2606 located in Rankin Room 164.

Host, Dr. David Pilgrim interviews three guests on the topic of Ferris and Globalization. Tara Benzing (Study Abroad Coordinator), Piram Prakasam (Global Initiative Leader), and Janel Lockwood (International Study Advisor) speak about “Leaking Ferris to a Larger Global World” and the different ways this takes place and could take place.

Dr. Pilgrim touches on a few specific areas dealing with International involvement. The Globalization initiative, which is an initiative to see what Ferris offers internationally and how it is beneficial to the students, was one of the topics discussed that is very beneficial to students. The Global Reflection’s Group, which is a group that host discussions encouraging informal discussion on topics of globalization, was also mentioned as well as a few other great topics.

Dr. Pilgrim’s guests enlightened the campus about Globalization and different ways to get involved in international educational opportunities. The information shared will be helpful to any students interested in international studies.

 

Former Ferris student, J.B. Kagabo; a Rwandan Genocide survivor, discusses what started Genocide and how it changed his life. He also shares his religious views on life. Dr. Barry Mehler, Professor of History, discusses the evolution of evil, the history of Hitler, Nazism, and the Holocaust. Both guests are looking to the future and have positive ideas on how to build up the country to prevent anything bad from happening.