Skip to Top NavigationSkip to ContentSkip to Footer
Ferris State University BulldogFerris State University Logo

Ferris One of Three Recognized for Maritime Academy Partnership

logoBIG RAPIDS – The Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers awarded this year’s Outstanding Transfer Program Award to the Maritime Academy Partnership during the group’s 2009 Annual Conference held at Boyne Mountain.

This is an annual award sponsored by the MACRAO Articulation Committee, and it recognizes Michigan’s most outstanding transfer program based upon the program’s demonstrated success in meeting the needs of transfer students by promoting seamless transfer from one institution to another. The Maritime Academy Partnership includes the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Northwestern Michigan College and Ferris State University.

“This partnership demonstrates how we can best serve the students of Michigan and beyond by bringing together partners, each of whom contributes a unique degree element based on existing capabilities, rather than one or more engaging in unnecessary and costly programmatic duplication,” said David Nicol, dean of Ferris’ College of Business.

This year’s award was presented by MACRAO President Karen Hutsler and the award was received by David Steenstra, Nancy Reddy and Lynnae Selberg from Ferris State University; Anne Monroe from Northwestern Michigan College; and John Berck from the Great Lakes Maritime Academy.

The Maritime Academy Partnership was established in October 2007 at Ferris State University and involves the collaboration of these three institutions and their staff in providing educational planning, advising, coursework and programs that lead to a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ferris and maritime credentials from the Great Lakes Maritime Academy.

Six maritime academies exist in the United States, and Traverse City is the home of one of them. The Great Lakes Maritime Academy provides a professional learning environment based on pride and tradition in preparing the future’s merchant marine officers/business professionals for the challenge of operating ships of unlimited tonnage.

The training ship, State of Michigan, is located at the shores of Traverse City and is utilized daily as a floating classroom and hands-on training platform. The ship sets sail at various times throughout the academic year to reinforce the skills taught shore side. As cadets progress through the academy, they gain knowledge of the industry first hand by completing essential sea time aboard commercial ships of the Great Lakes and oceans.

“The academy enjoys a unique relationship with Ferris and Northwestern Michigan College,” Ferris Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Fritz Erickson said. “The combination of cadets simultaneously earning maritime credentials and credits toward a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration enables graduates to better compete for management level positions in any area of employment.”

In addition, the academy offers a core maritime curriculum for those who enter the school with a bachelor’s degree. Upon completion of all requirements, cadets are prepared to write the U.S. Coast Guard Examination for licensing as Third Mate, Unlimited Tonnage and First Class Great Lakes Pilot (deck program), or Third Assistant Engineer, Steam or Motor Vessels of any Horsepower (engine program).