Ferris State University’s Ewingleben Sports Complex was filled with applaud­ing fam­i­lies and friends cel­e­brat­ing the grad­u­a­tion of nearly 1,075 FSU students.

The 2011 Fall cer­e­mony fea­tured two com­mence­ments tak­ing place at 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The first cer­e­mony grad­u­ated Engineering Technology, Arts and Sciences and Human Services stu­dents. The sec­ond cer­e­mony grad­u­ated stu­dents in the col­leges of Business, Allied Health Sciences and Professional and Technical Studies.

FSU President David Eisler rec­og­nized the par­ents, grand­par­ents, spouses and chil­dren of grad­u­ates before shak­ing their hands as they walked across the stage.

Healthcare sys­tems admin­is­tra­tion grad­u­ate LaTara Steele said she feels very accom­plished hav­ing received a Bachelor of Science at Ferris State. She feels con­fi­dent her years at FSU have pre­pared her for her future career goals.

“I know that my expe­ri­ences as an out­stand­ing stu­dent leader has pre­pared me for the con­tin­u­ing of my edu­ca­tional jour­ney,” Steele said.

2010-11 Distinguished Teacher Award recip­i­ent, Greg Gogolin was keynote speaker over both cer­e­monies. An FSU Information Security & Intelligence fac­ulty mem­ber, he said the best advice he can give grad­u­ates is the quote “Seek ye first to under­stand and then be under­stood,” by author Stephen Covey. Gogolin said he has taught stu­dents from 43 dif­fer­ent coun­tries and is proud to see stu­dents tak­ing the next step in their lives.

“There is a great deal of sat­is­fac­tion in help­ing stu­dents toward their goals,” Gogolin said. “I always tell stu­dents there is no greater com­pli­ment than to receive a note from them after they grad­u­ate let­ting me know how things are going.”

Spring 2012 com­mence­ment cer­e­monies are sched­uled to take place in the Ewingleben Sports Complex May 5, 2012.