Welcome to Ferris State University’s Official Historical Geotrail of 2020! Brought to you by the Geocaching Subcommittee of the Ferris History Task Force. This trail will take you around the Ferris campus and properties as well as various locations within Big Rapids. All geocaches are created to honor the Ferris legacy and help to educate the general public in a new and exciting way.
While the Ferris Insititute struggled to survive in the 1930s, the 1940s almost provided a knockout blow. During the midst of World War II, the school had a record low enrollment of 48 students in 1944. In 1946 Byron J. Brophy became the president of the school. Brophy worked tirelessly to save the Institution. Under his leadership, the enrollment grew rapidly with 82% of the students being WWII veterans beginning a partnership with the veteran’s association that is critical to this day. Brophy became convinced that the best way to ensure the stability of the school would be acceptance as a state institution. Because of his efforts, Ferris was accepted as a state school by Governor G. Mennon Williams.
[Puzzle]
This geocache is not located at the listed coordinates!
Answer the question below to determine the correct cache location:
Question: What was the percentage of students bring WWII Veterans?
48% - N 43° 40.648' W 85° 28.456'
82% - N 43° 40.684' W 85° 28.783'
[Parking]
Visitors/Guest Permits
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Parents, relatives and visitors who visit campus must obtain a visitor’s permit from the online guest permit portal or visit the Department of Public Safety. Permits will be issued for designated areas and times. Permits are free of charge.
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Faculty, staff and students are not considered visitors or guests of the University.
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The state motor vehicle registration certificate must be presented upon registering for a parking permit.
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Visitor parking will be allowed in residence hall lots on Friday, starting at 5 p.m., through Monday, until 2 a.m.
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Guests/visitors of campus during the summertime do not need a guest permit. Summer start up and end varies per year.
Meters are also on campus for use. They take various coins.
[Regarding Destruction of Property]
It is expected that visitors to our geocaches will conduct themselves with respect to the property they visit and will not destroy, harm, remove property or litter while geocaching. Such acts will result in monetary fines and potential for further prosecution. Players discovered in this way will also face disqualification from receiving the pathtag prize.
Download GeoTrail Tour Ticket Here.