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Ferris to Recognize Students, Faculty and Staff at 14th Annual Torchbearer Awards

TorchbearerFerris State University will host its 14th annual Torchbearer Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 30 at 7 p.m. in Williams Auditorium.

The event is hosted by Ferris’ Center for Leadership, Activities and Career Services to recognize outstanding students, faculty and staff.

“Torchbearer is the most prestigious award ceremony of the year at Ferris,” said Shannon Fick, student coordinator for the event. “Not a lot of students know about Torchbearer unless they’re invited, though we hope all students come to show support for student leaders and volunteers.”

The ceremony includes numerous awards and honors.  

  • The Torchbearer Award is presented to 10 graduating seniors or graduate students who have exhibited outstanding leadership skills during their careers at Ferris. Torchbearer recipients are leaders on campus, in the classroom and the community.
  • The Rising Star Award is presented to five emerging student leaders who have at least two years remaining in their careers at Ferris. This award is intended for students who have already accomplished a great deal through leadership and involvement and whose potential to achieve even more is evident.
  • The Outstanding RSO Advisor of the Year Award is given to one advisor that goes beyond his or her normal duties to develop a student organization.
  • The Initiative 125 awards are presented to students who have completed more than 125 hours of community service.
  • Five-Star Registered Student Organization awards go to RSOs that are active on campus and in the community. Their members take part in service events and are leaders on campus.
  • The Finance Division RSO Event of the Year award goes to a student organization that hosted a successful event funded by the Student Activity Fund.

Winners of the Torchbearer, Rising Star and Five-Star RSO awards are decided by a panel of Ferris faculty and staff after a review of the applications.

“This event is important because all year our students, student groups and their advisors work so hard to contribute leadership and volunteerism to the campus and community,” said Danielle Leisner, coordinator of Student Leadership and Activities. “It is important that we recognize the great things that our student leaders are doing to encourage them to continue their hard work and to inspire others to do the same.”

All are welcome to attend. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served at 6 p.m. The attire for this event is business casual.

The Torchbearer Awards Ceremony was initiated in 2000 as an annual tradition by the Office of Student Leadership and Activities, now CLACS, to recognize the achievements of student leaders, student organizations and the faculty/staff who support them.