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Ferris Brings Home Bronze at SkillsUSA National Competition

pictureBIG RAPIDS – The Ferris State University Automated Manufacturing team of Josh Ferris (Ionia), Frank Kruger (Bailey) and James Wolf (Iron River) took home the bronze medal at the 45th National Leadership and Skills Conference and SkillsUSA Championships in Kansas City, Mo., on June 26

Other Ferris students competing were Jon Vance (Pinconning) taking fourth in Technical Drafting, Kyle Busse (McHenry, Ill.) placing seventh in Graphic Communications and Shane Wilcome(Mount Pleasant) receiving an honorable mention in Diesel Equipment Technology. In order to qualify for the national competition, the six students received gold medals at state competitions.

Gold medalists at the National Conference have the opportunity to compete for a chance at WorldSkills, which is every other year. This September in Calgary, Ontario, Canada is the next WorldSkills and Ferris New Media and Publishing student Amela Mujkic (Clinton Township) is the first person to represent the United States in the Printing contest.

“I am extremely proud of our students,” said Dan Wanink, associate professor of CAD Drafting and Tool Design and advisor for Ferris’ Skills team. “These contest results continue to prove that Ferris State University is one of the best schools in the nation for training our future workforce.”

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization partnering teachers, students and industry in skilled trade areas. The SkillsUSA Championships is considered the largest single day of corporate volunteerism in America and valued at $35 million in industry support of donated time, equipment, cash and material. All contests are run by and judged by industry using industry standards for employment.

Ferris has been participating in SkillsUSA for more than 25 years.