Fulbright Scholars Ambassador visits Ferris State

On Wednesday evening, April 17, 2024, Ferris State University rebooted its annual “Robert Ferguson Fulbright Foreign Lecture Series,” with a presentation by Germán Zárate-Sández, Ph.D., from Western Michigan.  Dr. Zárate-Sández – one of just 13 Fulbright Scholars Alumni Ambassadors nationally – presented his research as a Fulbright teacher and Scholar in Brazil, in 2022. 

He also discussed some of the many Fulbright awards available to students, researchers, administrators, and teachers.  In attendance, both in-person and virtually, were students, staff, faculty members, Fulbright alumni, community members, Ferris State University’s Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences and Education, Dr. Randy Cagle; Ferris State University’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Bobby Fleischman; and Ferris State University’s President, Dr. Bill Pink.

The event was funded by the Fulbright Scholars Ambassador Program, with additional support from Ferris State University’s Office of Academic Affairs.  It was also co-sponsored by the Ferris Fulbrighters Group, the Fulbright Association Chapter of West and Mid-Michigan, and Ferris State University’s Office of International Education.  Certificates of appreciation were presented by Ferris State University’s Director of International Education, Dr. Tara Braun, to guest Fulbright speaker Germán Zárate-Sández, and to Dr. Christine Vonder Haar, who is retiring after many years of service to Ferris State University, including her promotion and leadership activities for the Fulbright program on campus.  The event was capped off by a community social event after the lecture at Cranker’s Restaurant and Brewery, in Big Rapids.