Jessica Wortley Adler, internal communications/external relations specialist for Emergent
BioSolutions in Lansing has received the Ferris State University Pacesetter Award.
The Ferris Alumni Association’s tradition of recognizing outstanding graduates is an important one, said Jeremy Mishler, director of Alumni Relations.
“This recognition helps to highlight wonderful examples of individual success and fulfillment that our students and fellow graduates can aspire to and be proud of,” Mishler said. “It also keeps alumni connected to the university faculty and administration in a way that supports Ferris through their expertise, professional networks and personal philanthropy.”
Wortley Adler, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Ferris in 2003, received the award during the Alumni Association’s annual spring reunion in May at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Big Rapids.
Prior to her current position, Wortley Adler was communications specialist for the Michigan Senate Majority Communications Office and communications director for Sen. Ron Jelinek. She also is the 2012 co-chair and 2013 incoming chair of the Central Michigan Public Relations Society’s annual PACE Awards event, which recognizes excellence in the field of public relations.
Wortley Adler, of Okemos, Mich., is extremely active in her community. She serves as an Advisory Board and Outreach Committee member for WKAR public radio, and on the Communications Committee for the Mid-Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Her previous volunteer work includes serving as the public relations chair for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Grand Ledge. She remains very active with her alma mater as a member of Ferris’ Honors Program Advisory Board and Professional Advisory Committee for the Public Relations major.
The Ferris Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Distinguished Alumni Awards Committee established the Pacesetter Award in 1998. The award is designed to recognize recently graduated alumni who, while pursuing their professional endeavors, are “setting the pace” for more recent Ferris alumni to be involved with their communities and the university.
The award is given to alumni who demonstrate leadership and service to their profession, community, service organizations and to the university. Ferris alumni who have graduated within the past 13 years are eligible for the award.