2001-2006 Chapter Activites
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   2006

Ferris Dispatch First Quater- October, 2006  (PDF)

Ferris Annual Report 2006   (PDF)

   2005

    2004

    2003

    2002

      2001

  2000-2001 Chapter Activites
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  1999-2000 Chapter Activites
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   1999-1998 Chapter Activites

FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW YEAR

In early September the Chapter held its formational meeting with the new officers, elected at the end of last year, taking over the reins of the Chapter.   They are Kevin Dettling, President, Beth Sandelius, Vice President, James Mallory, Secretary, and Rodney Cook, Treasurer. 

The calendar for the year was reviewed and plans made for the upcoming membership drive, and a meeting to be held with Contractors interested in providing summer jobs and internships.

FRESHMAN WELCOME

The Chapter held its first annual “Freshman Welcome” on September 15th at the Dome Room in the Rankin Center on the FSU Campus.  The welcome gave the Chapter the opportunity to tell the new students about the advantages of joining the Chapter. 

Displays were set up around the room for potential members to have the opportunity to view, first hand, the numerous activities of the chapter, including its community service projects such as HEAT’S ON, and the Magic Ride to help prevent child abuse.

Chapter members, the HVACR faculty and Chapter Advisors were in attendance, including Sandra Miller and Diane Calmeyn from the Greater Michigan MSCA, Walt Maner, Michigan MCA, and Russ Borst, Contractor Advisor from Holwerda-Huizinga.

The Chapter also began a mentoring program.  Along with the membership information distributed, a business card with six members names and telephone numbers were distributed for the students to utilize.  It gives them the opportunity, as new students on campus, to call and ask questions of students who have been around for a few years.

Even though not a membership drive, three students joined that evening and a number of others stated their plans to attend the September membership meeting. 
 
 

FIRST FSU STUDENT CHAPTER STUDENT / CONTRACTOR SUMMIT TERRIFIC SUCCESS

The Greater Michigan MSCA Student Chapter at Ferris State University held their first Student /Contractor Summit in October.  It was a tremendous success.  For our first effort, we wanted to keep the program small, so that we can learn from the comments, and build on it for a February Summit. 

The program was designed to introduce students to contractors that have possible open positions.  It enables contractors to build relationships with students that will lead to their work in our Industry Students available for hire included individuals looking for:

» Summer jobs for freshmen and sophomores,
» Internships for juniors, and/or
» Full-time employment for two and four year students.

The Ferris State University Student Chapter Summit was open to the national MSCA membership.  The first Summit had contractors from all around Michigan:  Ann Arbor, Traverse City, Detroit, Lansing, Flint, Saginaw, and Grand Rapids.  Out-state representatives came from Pennsylvania and Ohio. 

STUDENT CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIPS

Chairman of the Board Lloyd Zill is happy to report that the Greater Michigan MSCA, through the Ferris State University HVACR Program, has added a number of scholarships to assist students with their financial needs.

Our First Group of Scholarship Recipients

Among the first group of recipients are Michael Maynard, James Mallory, Richard Zink, Edward Belanger III, Jeremy Tell, Beth Sandelius, Kevin Dettling, Dan Kozal, Scott Breuker, Jonathan Nikisch, Rodney Cook and John Providenti.  The scholarships that the Chapter has solicited are from organizations affiliated with the Greater Michigan MSCA.  Currently scholarships are awarded by: Mechanical Service Contractors of America, Greater Michigan MSCA, Michigan Mechanical Contractors Association, Michigan UA Pipe Trades Association, UA Local 190 – Plumbers / Pipe Fitters / Service Technicians / Gas Distribution, and the West Michigan Mechanical Contractors Association.

Scholarships are awarded largely on the basis largely of scholastic achievement, along with active participation in the Greater Michigan MSCA Student Chapter.  They are awarded in two parts, with the second semester award automatic for the recipient, if they have continued with their participation in the Chapter and have kept their grades up. 

STUDENT CHAPTER PRESIDENT HVACR STUDENT OF THE YEAR AT FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

Greater Michigan MSCA’s Student Chapter President Edward Belanger, III was awarded the “HVACR Student of the Year Award” at the completion of his Junior year at Ferris.  Ed had just completed his second year as Chapter President. Congratulations to Ed on this much deserved honor.

GREATER MICHIGAN MSCA SPONSORS FIRST NATIONAL MSCA STUDENT CHAPTER

The Greater Michigan Mechanical Service Contractors of America sponsors the first Student Chapter of the Mechanical Service Contractors of America at Ferris State University (FSU). 

"Ferris State University is nationally known for its Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration curriculum.  It is a nationally recognized leader in the HVACR field, stated Greater Michigan MSCA's Chairman of the Board Lloyd Zill, as he addressed the gathering.  We are tremendously proud to be here."

Greater MI MSCA's President Sandra Miller echoed the praise, "These students represent the future of the HVACR industry, the type of personnel that the MSCA Contractor will need as we continue to advance and grow in the HVACR service marketplace."

CHAPTER RECEIVES CHARTER AT MCAA CONVENTION

Ferris State Chapter President Ed Belanger, along with Department Director Mike Feutz, represented our MSCA Student Chapter at the recent Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) Convention in Orlando.  As a MSCA Student Chapter, this was an excellent opportunity for exposure to the MCAA organization.  Members of the Greater MI MSCA Student Chapter at Ferris State University normally attend the MSCA’s Annual Conference in the Fall.

Left - Accepting Charter – L to R – Career Development Committee Chairman Bill Bianco, Mike Feutz, Ed Belanger and MCAA President Jim Murphy, Murphy Company

During the session on “Your Future Workforce”, from the MCAA Career Development Committee, of which MSCA President Sandra Miller is a member, had the opportunity to discuss some of their future projects. The Program was moderated by Dennis Langley, MCAA’s Director of Career Services.  The presentation also reviewed the programs being held at other Colleges and Universities.  This gave President Ed the opportunity to see what is going on other chapters.

Our Chapter, along with other MCAA Student Chapters, received their Charter at the Convention, during the Awards Breakfast.  This, of course, was no simple award breakfast.  The featured speaker was Terry Bradshaw, former Pittsburgh Steeler Quarterback, and owner of four Super Bowl rings.  Bradshaw, now a color commentator for the FOX Network Football programs was a delightful speaker, having everyone in stitches.  Afterward, he was a tremendous celebrity, waiting to have pictures taken with all the students and their advisors.

Right - L. to R. – Mike Feutz, Ed Belanger, back left, in the “Team” picture with Student Chapters with Terry Bradshaw

Membership Meeting Speakers

Kevin Birk, recently appointed Service Manager for Boone & Darr, Inc. was the featured speaker at the October meeting of the Greater Michigan Mechanical Service Contractors of America -  Ferris State University Student Chapter.   Kevin, who served his apprenticeship through the UA local 190 program, gave the students an overview of the opportunities that he has received through his involvement in the organized sector.

The meeting was also a membership drive for the Chapter, as it began its second year of existence on the FSU Campus.  There was an excellent turnout from the students in the HVACR Program as they learned of Kevin’s quick rise from an apprentice, to the management position of Service Manager of one of the State’s larger mechanical contractors.
 

Scott Klapper, Training Coordinator for Plumbers & Pipefitters UA Local 190 spoke to the Chapter on Intern and Job Opportunities through the MSCA/UA. 

Scott (pictured left) is a 1972 graduate of the Ferris State HVACR Program.  He has been teaching apprentices for the past three years and his experiences range from Apprentice through Apprenticeship Training Coordinator.  Scott discussed the Union movement with the students and answered a number of questions, with the meeting only ending when it was time to go back to classes. 

The Chapter held an evening meeting in November with Tom Eifert, T.H. Eifert, Inc., coming to the Chapter to discuss the HVACR Industry from the Contractor’s perspective.

Tom Eifert, T. H. Efiter, Inc. (pictured left) was the first contractor to speak to the FSU Student Chapter Membership.

He started in business in 1976 with only one employee - himself - and a pick-up truck.  Today, T.H. Eifert, Inc. has over 80 employees performing commercial and industrial work everywhere from hospitals to office buildings.  His company does work from installing medical gas systems, piping, heating, ventilation systems and air conditioning up to and including 24-hour building monitoring work.  Tom also received a number of questions about the industry, internships, and how to best prepare yourself for finding a position after graduation. 
 
 

Their first tour of a contractor’s facility was held in January when they toured the T. H. Eifert Company in East Lansing.  Tom and Connie Eifert, the student’s hosts, had prepared an informative tour for the students with assistance from a number of their employees, including Chuck Alling, Jim Bolan, Randy Potts, Dirk Powell, Gordon Scheerer and Ron Wilkins.  A dinner, sponsored by the Mid-MI MSCA followed.

Fifteen students and their Chapter Advisor, Scott Leach, were in attendance at the tour.  The tour was an opportunity for the students to learn about the day to day operations of a HVACR Service Company, including: 24-Hour Building Monitoring Systems, Consulting on Energy Management Work, Computerized Plasma Sheet Metal Cutting Machines, Welding Operations, Commercial and Industrial Service - Office Building to Hospitals, Engineering Services and Estimating and Quoting.  After the tour, and dinner, the students had the opportunity to have a question and answer session before returning to FSU.

The Greater Michigan Mechanical MSCA Student Chapter from Ferris State University toured the Holwerda-Huizinga Offices in early November, giving the students the opportunity to tour a full-service Mechanical Contractor firm. 

Gerald Holwerda, Sr., Company President answered student questions, along with Gerald, Jr. both at right of tour picture 
 

Holwerda-Huizinga, a third generation mechanical contractor, showed the students the changing face of the mechanical industry.  As the students toured the new, much larger facilities for the organization, they learned about the company’s growth and of their increased involvement in the Service and HVACR industry. 
 

Russ Borst, Vice President of Service Manager, and Student Chapter Advisor discussed the Service department.
 
 

The Ferris State University Greater Michigan MSCA - Student Chapter, just completed its second full school year in operation after being kicked off in Spring of 1997.  The year started with nine Chapter members attending the MSCA National Conference.  They held a number of interesting projects outlined below:

In April the Chapter held a Retreat and began planning for the upcoming school year, along with working on the White Paper requested from the MSCA Board of Governors at the last Conference.  A number of new programs will be implemented next year, particularly, a Get Acquainted Social with the HVARC Faculty and incoming Freshmen, and an Alumni Night, along with regular Chapter activities.