Dedicated service to leadership in education has earned longtime Ferris State University
faculty member Mike Ryan the James M. Davenport Memorial Award from the National Council
of Higher Education.
The award was presented to Ryan, a professor of Biology in Ferris’ College of Arts, Sciences and Education, at the 2016 NEA Higher Education Conference, held in early April, in San Diego, Calif.
“Dr. Ryan can truly be characterized as a happy warrior in the cause of fairness in higher education,” said Charles Bacon, president of the Ferris Faculty Association and a College of Arts, Sciences and Education professor of Chemistry and Physics. “His insightful and compelling intellect is coupled with an infectious and disarming sense of humor. He has maintained and elevated his service throughout his career, as evidenced by his record of achievement.”
Ryan has been a Ferris faculty member since 1977, and has actively worked to strengthen programs and relationships at all education levels from kindergarten through college. Ryan’s award recognition was based primarily on his work to support students and labor organizations. He has helped negotiate nine contracts and served as local president for 15 years. Also, from 2002-05, Ryan served as a National Education Association board member.
In the state of Michigan, Ryan has served many years as a member of the Michigan Association of Higher Education Board of Directors and was vice president. He has also served for five years as a member of the Michigan Education Special Services Association board and as part of the Michigan Education Association Financial Services Board. Ryan was an MEA board member from 2011-14.
In various capacities, Ryan has worked with numerous colleges and universities, nationwide,
to help them organize and advise faculty and union activities.
A Ferris faculty member since 1977, Ryan was awarded the Mildred Sugarbaker Award,
as an outstanding leader, in 2008.
Ryan also has numerous Ferris awards and achievements, to his credit, including:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Award, 2005
- Distinguished Faculty Member Award, Michigan Association of
- Governing Boards, 1985-86
- Outstanding Advisor Award nominee, 1985
- Outstanding Institutional Advising Program Award nominee, 1985
- Ferris Greek Educator of the Year, 1981-82
James Davenport was the first president of the NCHE. A faculty member at Washtenaw
Community College, in Ann Arbor, Mich., Davenport worked more than two decades for
higher education faculty and programs with the NEA and internationally. His dedication
to the higher education community, and his belief that all educators must work together
as one family, are recognized in the award. National Council for Higher Education
PHOTO CAPTION: Mike Ryan, a College of Arts, Sciences and Education faculty member
at Ferris State University, received the James M. Davenport Memorial Award for his
support of students and labor organizations. Ryan has worked at Ferris since 1977.