March 6, 2025

Ferris State President Bill Pink named Newsmaker of the Year in Education by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business, citing health care partnerships

Ferris State University President Bill Pink was named Crain’s Grand Rapids Business Newsmaker of the Year in Education, citing the university’s partnership with BAMF Health to advance health care and innovative plans for a campus residence hall.

Pink was among three finalists in the publication’s Education category and one of 48 people or teams in 16 of the region’s major industries. The awards were presented Thursday at an event in Grand Rapids.

“Ferris State is expanding its reach across Michigan and forging partnerships with the private sector,” Crain’s Executive Editor Mickey Ciokajlo said after presenting the award to Ferris State Vice President of University Advancement and Marketing Kathy Mullins, who accepted on Pink’s behalf.

The publication saluted Pink for the university’s efforts to partner with BAMF Health to create a talent pipeline of people to work in the emerging field of theranostics.

The university also will join Bedrock LLC’s new life sciences campus in downtown Detroit, where BAMF Health plans to develop and open a new clinic in 2027 to provide advanced cancer care.

Crain’s also quoted a guest column penned by Pink and BAMF CEO Anthony Chang, who was the Newsmaker of the Year in the Health Care category.

“This isn’t just about one company or one school — it’s about setting a blueprint for the future of Michigan,” Chang and Pink wrote in the Oct. 25, 2024 commentary. “This is our call to action: business leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, health care providers and policymakers — join us. Together, we can revolutionize not just Michigan, but the way the world approaches business, medicine and collaboration.”

Ferris State was also saluted for the university’s plans to build a $38 million residence hall near the end zone of its Top Taggart Field, home to the three-time national champion football team.

He joins Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella and Grand Rapids Community College President Charles Lepper as finalists in the category.

Pink was named Newsmaker of the Year in Higher Education for 2019 while he was president of Grand Rapids Community College.

The publication in 2024 named Pink one of Grand Rapids’ Notable Black Leaders and the Grand Rapids 200, which honored leaders in the public and private sectors.