BIG RAPIDS - Recently serving as interim dean, Leroy Wright has been named dean of Student Life at Ferris State University. Bringing to the position more than 10 years of professional experience, Wright has been a member of the campus community for the past five years serving as coordinator and then assistant director of Residential Programs and Services.
"I am pleased to make this announcement," said Dan Burcham, vice president for Student Affairs. "Leroy's commitment to student development, his temperament as a professional, his passion for student leadership/involvement, his ability to engage audiences, and his ability to create and develop programs that address a plethora of student needs are what make him a great fit for this position."
A native of Detroit, Wright came to Ferris as an undergraduate, where he began gaining valuable experience for his future career. While a student, he held such positions as resident advisor and assistant hall director. Upon graduation, he became a hall director working in Cramer, Vandercook and Merrill/Travis halls, as well as serving as acting area coordinator for Merrill/Travis, Hallisy and Clark halls. He was area coordinator for Student Neighborhoods for Residential Programs at the University of Dayton prior to returning to Ferris.
"As the dean of Student Life and a representative of the Division of Student Affairs, my role is to assist in the enhancement of the quality of student life outside the classroom," Wright said. "My goal is to facilitate the creation of a happy, respectful and productive community of student leaders.
"Students will find that many of their lifelong memories of their time at Ferris State University will be of experiences inside and outside the classroom," he added.
Wright also has taught FSUS 100 in the Heavy Equipment program for four years, was awarded the Distinguished Staff Member award in 2004-05 and was a member of the Distinguished Team of the Year for 2005-06. Most recently, he was nominated for the Ferris Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Award for the 2006-07 academic year and is a 2007 recipient of the Association of Judicial Affairs Diversity Scholarship.