Ferris State University - Ferriscope Yearbook (Big Rapids, MI)

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Patiently and sympathetically they labored together, start- ing out in 1876, when they accepted positions to teach in Rock River University at Dixon, Ill. In 1879 Mr. Ferris became superintendent of schools at Pittsfield, Ill., but he resigned in five years in order to es- tablish tlie Ferris Institute which is now so well known all over the United States. This is not the first school of the kind that Mr. Ferris attempted to found. I-Ie was not cre- ated to serve as much as to lead, and we see him independ- ently establishing a business college and academy at Ifree- port, Ill., in the seventies, and again the Dixon Business College and Academy tin partnership with L. Hartwell, whom he bought out in 18781. 1 When founded in 188-l, the Ferris Institute had but lit- tle in its favor. There were good public schools in the town and its inhabitants were, to a large extent, opposed to what- ever efforts the new school might make for the furtherment of its cause. llut fifteen pupils enrolled, and under the guardianship of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris, it throve wonderfully well. .-Xt first the school was held over the Northern Na- tional llank, and then it was moved to the Northern I-Iotel lllockg but it grew so rapidly that, in 1893, a fine building was erected that is so familiar to us all. As the Institute has grown, this building has been enlarged, an annex being lmnilt in 1901 and another addition to the main building in 1906, l'lans are now under way for more extensive im- provements and additions in 1908 and 1909. The Institute was founded from the very beginning for the purpose of uplifting and purifying humanity. The strong, untiring, upright, fearless character of Mr. Ferris and the deep sympathetic, hrm, yet gentle disposition of his wife, laid the corner-stone of that enviable reputation of the Ferris Institute. Although the school is not endowed, the character and work .of the students that have turned from its doors have reflected so favorably upon its faculty that it is now considered one of the finest preparatory schools in the country. To-day, it contains sixteen-,departments and has a faculty numbering twenty-six instructors. A va- cancy occurred among the faculty a few years ago, how- ever, which some affirm can never be wholly filled. It was caused by the resignation of Mrs. Ferris from the post of teacher of mathematics. But her heart is with us, we know, and when we go from this institution, let us each and all think kindly of her and do her, as well as our president, honor in our deeds and thoughts. On account of the sarcasm and irony which frequently ring through his speeches and which Mr. Ferris inherited from his father, he is often misunderstood by students and outsiders. He has been called hard , but there is no man more sympathetic or large-hearted than he when he is off the platform or outside of the school-room. Wheii students come in contact with the man, the feeling of awe which his forceful fearlessness has inspired, gives place to an un- bounded esteem. As before stated, Mr. Ferris' whole ambition is to labor for the betterment of mankind. To this cause he has given heart, soul, happiness, and strength. For this cause he has entered the fields of politics, religion, and education. He is not merely known for his school-work-he is a well-known lecturer. If he loved humanity less and himself more, he could make a fortune as a lecturer. As it is, he finds him- self compelled to refuse fully two-thirds of the calls that

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v, l ward roll. Woodbridge N. Ferris T Spencer, N. Y., on Jan. 6, 1863, our nation was en- riched by the birth of a boy. He was only one among the thousands of babies born that day, and the world paid little heed to the pride and joy that swelled the hearts of his parents, john and Stella Ferris. He was the first of seven children, and his father's tense nature was stirred to its very depths as he planned for his son the foundation of the great future destined for him by his Creator. Under the loving care of his mother, the baby grew into boyhood, his soul enriched by a love of the pure beauties with which nature surrounded him. It was here, at Spencer, that XV ood- bridge N. Ferris imbibed that vigor and physical strength that stood him in such good stead later on in his eventful career. Fishing and hunting beneath the unsullied rays of VV. N. FERRIS the sun, romping and working out in the sweet, fresh coun- try air, the lad's heart expanded to all that was pure and free, and he grew to be sound in mind as well as in body. At the age of fifteen, we find him in an academy at Spencer, and the next year in Candor, N. Y. At this time Mics, XV. N. limems the lad gained a certificate as a teacher in his county and started upon his destined mission. Urged on by insatiable ambition, however, he entered the Qswego Academy. Then C1870-73D he attended the Oswego Normal and Training- School, becoming principal of the academy at Spencer, N. Y. two years later. ln 1875 he married Helen F. Gillespie, of Fulton. N. Y., who has borne him two sons-Carleton fi. Ferris, now a law- yer practicing in Detroit, and Phelps Ferris, at present Z1 student at the Institute. She itis who, through the nobility and beauty of her character, through self-sacrifice and lim- itless ambition for her husband's success, has proved the greatest comfort and inspiration to XVoodbridgc N. Ferris.

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utation of the endowed, the 'e turned IFOIU faculty that it tory schools in fpalrtments and ctors. A VH' ears ago, how- lilled. It was om the post of h us, we know, is each and all our president, hich frequently Ferris inherited my students and ihere is no man when he is off lrVhen students awe which his lace to an un- ition is to labor se he has given is cause he has ucation. He iS s a well-known mself more, he 5, he fmds him- ? the calls that 76 Q ?. 5: e wvfeef free'-PM . -swam. . ,- -mulfrwnmseseew.-'fn-4-'-H 1 pour in from different sections of the countr topics are: Making the WO1'lCl Better, Getting on in the World, The Philosophy of Human Nature, The Art of Reading Human Nature, The Building of a Man, Mas- ter Motives, The Courage That Conquersf' All these give an insight into the character of the man who stands to-day at the head of the great Institute that bears his name and whose personality inspires with loyalty and honor the thousands of students that enter and leave its doors. Besides his business cares, Mr. Ferris takes time to par- ticipate in social pleasures. He belongs to several orders, among which are the Knights of Pythias, the Masonic F ra- ternity, the Order of Foresters, the Modern VVoodmen, and the National Union. y. His favorite On account of his shrewdness in business and uncon- trollable energy, Woodbriclge N. Ferris has been charged, sometimes, with laboring solely for the purpose of gather- ing money. If this were so, why does he not give up the thankless task of the teacher and go into the oratorical field entirely? VVhy, when the Mecosta County Savings Bank failed in October, 1896, did he take upon himself the responsibility of paying the students' funds and thus place upon his already overladen shoulders a burden that any one else would have shunned or refused? It is a well-known fact that no student, save one or two-and that was for rea- sons known solely to themselves and Mr. Ferris,-was ever sent away from the Ferris Institute because of lack of funds to pay his way through. The Ferris Institute now boasts of an annual enrolment of two thousand students. Witliiii twenty-three years, this is a phenomenal growth for an unendowed institution. During this time, it has passed from Mr. Ferris' hands into the con- trol of a private corporation, although Mr. and Mrs. Ferris still own jointly a large share of the stock. For the past two years Commencement Exercises have been held at the Institute. The president of the Institute, lovingly nick- named The Qld Mann by many of the students, has given the best part of his life to the ennobling of wayward youth, and though many an hour his heart aches with the pangs of discouragement and though he considers his labors but just begun, hundreds of men and women out in the world to-day are blessing his name and living Jurer and noblei a l A lives because of contact in ,former days with this large- souled teacher. ' I A if .--e' ww., if or e AY-A -w wsu... ' Q .9 Q. p v gfy- Joan -'J' ,A Y - ifxv WJOX. 54 ,A