Inspired Beginnings
By Nate Clark
Graphic Designer/Copywriter
Under the direction of President Victor F. Spathelf in 1965, Ferris started making plans to add several much-needed buildings to its growing campus. Most important was the addition of the Technical Arts Building, whose name, by the time of its completion, was changed to the Swan Technical Arts Building, after Fred W. Swan. Swan was the first dean of the School of Technical and Applied Arts.
In Victor Spathelf’s 1965 President’s Board Letter, he wrote, The Technical Arts Building, now under construction, was spearheaded in the planning stages by the late Dean Fred W. Swan. Dean Swan was a vigorous developer of many facets of our current School of Technical and Applied Arts program during his eight-year tenure on our staff. In my judgment, the totality of the Collegiate Technical Division — particularly the health-related arts curricula, would not be at its present state of effectiveness without the contribution which he made. From no students and no programs eight years ago, we have grown to more than a dozen effective programs and nearly 800 students.
It would seem to me most appropriate for the Board to consider designating this structure which will serve the School of Technical and Applied Arts as the ‘Swan Technical Arts Building.’
The board agreed, and the building was renamed. It was dedicated in 1966, with an open house during a three-day homecoming celebration that fall. The programs that were originally offered in the Swan Building included Printing, Machine Shop, Graphic Reproduction, Welding and Industrial Arts. Each program was given state-of-the-art equipment for hands-on training.
In 1979, the third and fourth floors of the building were occupied by the School of Allied Health. However, over the following three years, Swan was remodeled, Allied Health moved out, and a number of new programs moved in. Among them were Electronics, Graphic Arts and Construction.
In the years following, new programs were taught within the building. Some programs have changed in scope as technology changed, and others no longer exist at Ferris. There have been great additions to the building, such as the renovation to Swan 205 for Architectural Technology and the Fenn Laboratory for Surveying Engineering.
Since its construction, the Swan Technical Arts Building has been a second home for many students of the technical arts. When remembering their time at Ferris, they cannot do so without thinking of their time spent within its classrooms and labs.
Now, Swan is on the brink of another transformation. Construction is underway. Soon, new labs and equipment will be readied for a new generation of students.
1965 rendering for the Swan Technical Arts Building
Looking Forward, Meeting Industry Demand
Ferris State University breaks ground on Swan Annex expansion to include new centers for Welding and Manufacturing programs.
By Katelyn Crain
Communications Specialist
One of the most notable construction projects in progress on Ferris State University’s Big Rapids campus is the expansion of the Swan Technical Arts Building, which will provide a home for the Center for Welding Excellence and Center for Advanced Manufacturing.
This $30-million project will renovate the existing 47,086-square-foot Swan Annex and add 34,462 square feet of specialized classrooms and laboratories for the welding and manufacturing programs, allowing the university to enroll and graduate more students.
There is unprecedented industry demand for graduates who have the depth of technical knowledge that Ferris’ programs provide. Recent increase in demand for enrollment in the programs, which offer students experience with advanced techniques and state-of-the-art technology, has resulted in an average wait of more than one year for admission.
“Our grads are in high demand because of the kind of education and the degree that they get out of our program,” explained Dean of the College of Engineering Technology Larry Schult. “We have the kind of program that industry — many industries — like because our grads know the applications, they know the designs, they know the ‘whatevers.’ Those are the reasons for this expansion.”
Schult expressed hope that the expansion also will promote even greater awareness and support of the programs among industry leaders by providing an enhanced environment to support the high-quality instruction for which Ferris’ Welding and Manufacturing programs are renowned.
“This really typifies the education that Ferris has always been known for and that we continue to give the students today,” said Schult.
“Everybody uses the cliché ‘hands-on,’ and yes, it is hands-on, but it’s more than that. It’s the knowledge of practical implementation of the high level of skill and knowledge of that particular industry that Ferris provides to the student.”
Ferris’ Board of Trustees also approved dedication of $2.5 million in project funds to renovate the Swan Building’s first floor to provide space that better serves the Architecture, Facility Management, Energy Systems and Mechanical Engineering Technology programs.
Michigan state legislature authorized construction and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed his approval for the expansion as part of the Michigan capital outlay project, making it the only approved higher-education capital outlay project to receive construction authorization in the state of Michigan in 2016. The state has provided $22.5 million for the expansion, with Ferris raising funds for the remaining $7.5 million.
To make a gift, please contact Karen Weber at (231) 591-2895 or karenweber@ferris.edu.
The completion date is set for August 2018.