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Moore Family Creates Scholarships, Hope Gift Inspires Others to Help Ferris State Students

Jim and Katy MooreWhether it’s a cup of hot coffee on a cold winter day or some homemade brownies, Jim and Katy Moore feel that giving back to students just makes sense. That’s why the husband and wife decided to create the James D. and Katy Moore Heavy Equipment Annual Scholarship, and the James D. and Katy Moore Surveying Engineering Annual Scholarship.

As Jim says, “It’s the obvious choice to give back to students, who are the reason why we’re here.”

Each has worked at Ferris State University during the past decade, supporting student-centered endeavors such as the College of Engineering Technology’s annual chili cook-off or ice fishing tournament. Jim is an equipment repair custodian and Katy the Heavy Equipment program secretary.

Katy feels such a connection to “her students” that tears well up in her eyes when discussing the importance of helping students. “They’re really amazed by the little things you can give or do for them. Any time we are able to help we do.”

The Heavy Equipment scholarship will help defray the cost of tool purchases required for students studying Heavy Equipment Service Engineering Technology or Heavy Equipment Technology. The first recipient will be selected for the Fall 2011 Semester. The Surveying Engineering scholarship will help Surveying Engineering students with their college costs.

Jim and Katy emphasize the scholarship is not about them but about the students. “We’re hoping our efforts make people sit down and think about how they can give back, and how they can help students,” Jim said.

“People such as Jim and Katy Moore make Ferris State University a great place to study and work,” Interim CET Dean Ron McKean said. “The contributions of the Moores and other donors play an important role in helping our students find success in the classroom and beyond.”

Ferris State is the only school in the country to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Heavy Equipment through the Heavy Equipment Service Engineering Technology major. The program also offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Heavy Equipment Technology.

The program emphasizes the combination of creative thinking, mathematics and science skills to develop and implement theories. Students learn in an environment including basic mechanics to complex, computer-controlled interfacing intelligent systems. The Heavy Equipment Technology degree provides a foundation of technical skills required for entry-level truck and equipment service technicians, fleet managers and diagnostic technicians.

The Surveying Engineering Bachelor of Science degree is the largest undergraduate surveying engineering program in the Midwest, highlighted by one of the best-equipped laboratories in the United States. The graduates of the program may become registered professional surveyors, and a career in Surveying Engineering offers opportunities in the government, military, private and academic sectors.

For more information or to make a gift to the James D. and Katy Moore Heavy Equipment Scholarship, the James D. and Katy Moore Surveying Engineering Annual Scholarship or Ferris State University, contact The Ferris Foundation at (231) 591-2365 or [email protected]. Details about establishing scholarships or endowments may be obtained from the Advancement Office at (231) 591-3825.