March 20, 2025
One Day for Dawgs supporter Dick Shaw shares how philanthropy builds champions at Ferris State
Dr. Dick Shaw is a 1971 Technical Education graduate of then Ferris State College. He is a 2022 Honorary Doctorate recipient of Ferris State University, an educator, a teacher, a relentless advocate for student success. And, he’s a huge fan of Bulldog athletics.
Shaw sponsored the Ferris State Athletics giving challenge during last year’s One Day for Dawgs Ferris day of giving event.
The challenge awards bonus funds to the men’s athletics teams and women’s athletics teams that bring in the most donors and the highest average gift amount.
As the Bulldogs have repeatedly earned their place on the national stage, Shaw knew his challenge would go a long way rewarding these hardworking and dedicated students.
“When we see student athletes getting involved in philanthropy and talking to donors, it is really special to see the community rally around and support them,” he said. “These are truly some of the hardest working students you’ll ever meet between the career, athletic, and academic triumphs they pursue.”
One Day for Dawgs is an opportunity for anyone to get involved and support the Ferris State causes that mean the most to them. Ferris State’s athletic and academic programs earn national recognition regularly, a fact Shaw attributes both to the Bulldogs’ competitive spirit and growing community support. Events like One Day for Dawgs inspire bulldog Pride, which he says is a key to building champions.
“You can see the pride in everything we do. We represent our school, the iconic logo, and show off that great part of the Bulldog identity,” Shaw said. “Our students, fans, and community are driven by success. That’s why we love opportunities like the One Day for Dawgs challenges! Bulldogs never shy away from rolling up our sleeves and putting that championship work ethic on display.”
Shaw knows how meaningful his Ferris State experiences and Bulldog connections were throughout his career. From travelling across the country to walking on the sidewalk in Grand Rapids, he is always quick to return a “Go Dawgs!” when seeing fellow bulldog supporters.
An increasingly common occurrence with multiple GLIAC-champion athletic teams and four NCAA Division II National Championships since 2018, Shaw is excited to see so much recognition for the Bulldogs and eager to continue helping Ferris State succeed.
For Shaw, the question of whether to give back has never been a consideration. His answer to anyone who asks why he contributes is simple: to help students.
“Anyone who is thinking about giving back really needs only to listen to these students’ stories for a few minutes to learn how incredible they are,” he said.
“If one thing rings true through all my time involved in education, it is that young people have profound character and strong ethics – they are so important to our future and so deserving of our support. Every dollar makes a difference.”
One Day for Dawgs 2025 is coming on April 9. To get involved and help take advantage of exciting challenge and matching gifts like Dr. Dick Shaw’s Bulldog Athletics challenge, visit ferris.edu/oneday.