Leadership and Volunteer Stoles 2018

Honors Stoles are awarded to graduating Honors students by a committee of faculty and Honors Program staff after reviewing Senior graduation papers. Stoles may be worn at graduation, along with the Honors medallion. Those honored with a Stole will have their names engraved on a plate displayed in the Honors Program office. Students who receive stoles are those that have shown to go above and beyond in leadership and service during their time in the Honors Program at Ferris State University.

2018 Service Stoles

Cassandra Kolka, Biology – Pre-Pharmacy, Cassandra has excelled in service and leadership as an Honors student. She is the vice president and community service chair of the Alpha Iota Chapter of Lambda Kappa Sigma, the professional pharmacy fraternity. She also serves on the Panhellenic Council. In addition, she is the secretary of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Cassandra has recorded over 500 service hours, volunteering at a number of organization, including Spectrum Health, the Student Emergency Food Pantry, Big Rapids Middle School, and the Honors Programming Board. She has won numerous service awards, including the Woodbridge N. Ferris Community Service Award, the Ruth Davies Flaherty Service Award, the Michigan Campus Compact Heart and Soul Award and the Rising Star Award.
Amanda Gilliam, Biology – Pre-Medicine, Amanda has achieved an impressive service and leadership record at Ferris. She was the community service chair of the Pre-Medicine and Pre-PA clubs. She has logged over 500 service hours at Ferris, volunteering at Fort Faith Camp, Our Brother’s Keeper, and many other organizations. Her service has already been recognized through her Initiative 125 and Presidential 250 awards.
Paige Kramer, Biology – Pre-Medicine, Paige has an outstanding record of service and leadership. She was the president, service chair, and Kiwanis family chair of Circle K International. In addition, she was a member of the Michigan District of Circle K International’s President’s Council and helped manage the district. Registering over 500 service hours, she has already been recognized for her excellence in service through the Initiative 125, the Presidential 250, and the Torchbearer awards.

2018 Leadership Stoles

Cindy Tran, Biology – Pre-Medicine, Cindy was the president of the Asian Student Association and the vice president of the Pre-Medicine and Pre-PA clubs. She is also very active in the Honors Program. She was the chair of the Honors Student Association’s Academic Affairs Committee and has been an honors peer mentor. During her time at Ferris, she has logged over 200 service hours and she was recognized in 2018 with a Torchbearer award.
Johanna Vander Ploeg, Social Work, Johanna was the president of Active Minds and also served as event manager. In addition, she was the vice president of the Phi Alpha International Honors Society and was the community service chair. Finally, she was the five-star chair of the Social Work Association. She has logged over 200 service hours at Ferris.
Adam Jandura, Biology – Pre-Pharmacy, Adam has made a difference at Ferris through his leadership and service. He was on the Bulldog Sustainability Alliance executive board for four years and was the president since 2017, helping the RSO achieve five-star status. He worked with a number of organizations to expand Ferris’s recycling efforts and develop greening programs. Adam is also on Ferris’s Sustainability Committee. In addition, he has been a part of Alpha Psi Omega, the National Theater Honors Society, since Fall 2014 and has served as his chapter’s improv chancellor since Fall 2017. During his time at Ferris, he has logged over 250 service hours. He received a Torchbearer Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership.
Justin Wolber, Psychology, Justin is a co-founder for the Ferris’s Step Up Program, which educates students about being an active bystander in situations involving alcohol, sexual assault, or depression. He was also a prominent leader in the Honor Program through his work with the Honors Peer Mentor Program for which he has served as president, Fun Day coordinator, and peer mentor. Justin was also treasurer of the Honors Programming Board and helped organize the Variety Show. Lastly, he was awarded a Torchbearer Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership.