Greater Michigan MSCA's Ferris State University Named MCAA Student Chapter of the Year

We are enormously proud to report that the Greater Michigan MSCA Student Chapter at Ferris State University was named the MCAA "Student Chapter of the Year". MCAA's Career Development Committee (CDC) made the determination with the presentation occurring at the Award Presentation at the MCAA convention in California.

At the presentation it was noted that the chapter has a "high degree of organization, a superb relationship with the local service contractor community and the local MCA and . . its communications media and outreach, its can-do spirit, can truly serve as models for our other existing and future student chapters."

Chapter President Megan Ruehmeier received the award from MCAA President Bob FitzGerald, and CDC Committee Member Bob Armistead.

When the decision was made six years ago to begin outreach to the Ferris State University (FSU) Students, we could not have imagined the extraordinary project it would become. Before we began, the vast majority of the students graduating from FSU were going into the non-union sector. At last year's graduation, approximately 70% of the graduating class went to a MSCA Contractor, statewide or nationally. Amazingly, this is the third time the Award has been given nationally, and the second time our Student Chapter has received it.

We are now completing the sixth full year of the Chapter. Each year we have increased the number of activities and the projects of the organization. It has been asuccessful and worthwhile program, both professionally, and personally for our organization.

Congratulations to the Officers and members of the Chapter as they are honored for their exceptional work for the University and our Association.

Chapter Takes Third Place in MCAA Student Chapter Competition

The Greater Michigan Mechanical Service Contractor Association's Ferris State University Student Chapter was one of four finalists chosen for MCAA Student Competition. The teams competed in the Final Four Student Chapter Competition at MCAA 2003 in Palm Springs, CA. Also competing were the University of Nebraska -Lincoln; Purdue University; Cal Poly Pomona.

Team Captain for the Ferris Team was Jason Dempsey, whose team included: Jamie Dorland, Chad Vaughn, Shane Vander Veen, Adam Kulhawik, and Jason McDonald

We were enormously proud of the team which was the first joint program between the Ferris HVACR Program and students in the Construction Management Program.

A panel of three judges chose the finalists based on their evaluation and scoring of submissions from seven chapters. They considered the proposals' overall quality, their approach to managing and organizing the project, the feasibility of the schedule, the project design, and the accuracy and feasibility of the project costs. Similar criteria was used by the judges in Palm Springs as they evaluated the oral presentations.

The oral competition took place on March 4th. A panel of three judges drawn from the membership of the Career Development Committee evaluated the presentations and chose the first and second place winners.

Each team had a total of 20 minutes to present their proposals, 15 minutes for their formal presentation and five minutes of questions from the judges. MCAA members had been welcomed and encouraged to attend the competition, and the event was standing room only. The results of the judging were announced at the Awards of Excellence Ceremony on Wednesday, March 5th.

Congratulations to Jason, Chad, Jamie, Jason, Adam and Shane for making the national finals and placing Third. By doing so they assisted with the Chapter receiving the Chapter of the Year Award.


Click here to see previous awards received by Ferris