Ferry Fest: April 26, 30 | The semester is winding down, which means our time with President Ferry as leader of Concordia University is coming to a close.
After 30 years of distinguished service to Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor—with eight of them as president of the Ann Arbor campus—Rev. Patrick T. Ferry, PhD, will retire in June 2021. A search for his successor is underway.
Groups across campus have come together to offer a slate of celebratory activities and opportunities to say farewell to Ferry. Students, along with faculty, staff, alumni, and Concordia supporters, are invited to save the date for the events below.
Ferry Fest for Students
Thursday and Friday, April 22-23
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | FERRY FEST T-SHIRT PICK-UP—Stop by administrative offices in the Student Union to pick up your t-shirt to wear on Monday, April 26.
Monday, April 26
- All day | FERRY FEST T-SHIRT—Wear your Ferry Fest t-shirt today! Especially during Chapel and the Milestone Run.
- All day | BOW TIE DAY—No one rocks a bow tie like President Ferry. Show your love from P. Ferry by donning his favorite fashion accessory. Take a picture and post to social using #FerryFest (Don’t have one? Wear your Ferry Fest t-shirt or download a printable bow-tie.)
- 10:30 a.m. | SPECIAL CHAPEL—President Ferry will deliver his final chapel message to the CUAA community as president of the university. All students are invited in person, or you can catch it on the livestream.
- 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | COURTYARD COMMUNITY—Stop by the Chapel Courtyard to snack on some of President Ferry’s favorites: Diet Coke and cookies.
- 3:15 p.m. | MILESTONE RUN—Shh! It’s a surprise for President Ferry. We want students, faculty, and staff out in full force at the Thunder Sports Complex to greet him with cheers as he ends his routine, daily run on campus. Wear your Ferry Fest t-shirt or Concordia Cardinal red. You’ll also have the opportunity to run a lap, mile, or more in his honor.
- 6 p.m. | LAST LECTURE—Join us in the Chapel or catch it via the livestream here: cuaa.edu/LastLecture. Ferry will leave us with some parting words, no doubt gracing us with his trademark storytelling prowess.
Friday, April 30
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | FERRY FRI-YAY—Play games and celebrate the end of the semester on central campus with some Ferry-themed activities
- 7:30 p.m. | CARDYs—The sixth annual CARDYs celebrating student athletes and the CUAA community will include a special message from President Ferry. Go Cards!
Ferry Fest for Alumni and Stakeholders
Beginning Monday, April 5
- Through June 15, 2021 | VIRTUAL TRIBUTE—Show your thanks and appreciation for Ferry by sharing a memory, well wish, or picture of your time with him. Tributes may be submitted at cuaa.edu/FerryTribute. Please note: All submissions will be posted publicly on the university webpage.
Monday, April 26
- All day | BOW TIE DAY—No one rocks a bow tie like President Ferry. Show your love from P. Ferry by donning his favorite fashion accessory. Take a picture and post to social using #FerryFest (Don’t have one? You can download a printable bow-tie.)
- 10:30 a.m. | SPECIAL CHAPEL—President Ferry will deliver his final chapel message to the CUAA community as president of the university. All students are invited in person, or you can catch it on the livestream.
- (Can’t make it this day? Tune into his farewell Chapel at CUW on Friday, April 30 at 10:30 a.m. ET at cuw.edu/CUWChapel.)
- All day | MILESTONE RUN—This afternoon, the CUAA campus will surprise President Ferry to greet him with cheers as he ends his routine, daily run on campus. Take part in Ferry’s favorite activity and run a lap, mile, or more in his honor.
- 6 p.m. | LAST LECTURE—Tune into the livestream here: cuaa.edu/LastLecture. Ferry will leave us with some parting words, no doubt gracing us with his trademark storytelling prowess.
- (Does Thursday night work better for your schedule? Tune into Ferry’s Last Lecture at CUW on April 29 at 8:30 p.m. ET at cuw.edu/LastLecture.)
Ferry Fest for Faculty and Staff
Beginning Monday, April 5
- Through June 15, 2021 | VIRTUAL TRIBUTE—Show your thanks and appreciation for Ferry by sharing a memory, well wish, or picture of your time with him. Tributes may be submitted at cuaa.edu/FerryTribute. Please note: All submissions will be posted publicly on the university webpage.
Monday, April 26
- All day | FERRY FEST T-SHIRT—Wear your Ferry Fest t-shirt today! Especially during Chapel and the Milestone Run.
- All day | BOW TIE DAY—No one rocks a bow tie like President Ferry. Show your love from P. Ferry by donning his favorite fashion accessory. Take a picture and post to social using #FerryFest (Don’t have one? Wear your Ferry Fest t-shirt or download a printable bow-tie.)
- 10:30 a.m. | SPECIAL CHAPEL—President Ferry will deliver his final chapel message to the CUAA community as president of the university. All students are invited in person, or you can catch it on the livestream.
- 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | COURTYARD COMMUNITY—Stop by the Chapel Courtyard to snack on some of President Ferry’s favorites: Diet Coke and cookies.
- 3:15 p.m. | MILESTONE RUN—Shh! It’s a surprise for President Ferry. We want students, faculty, and staff out in full force at the Thunder Sports Complex to greet him with cheers as he ends his routine, daily run on campus. Wear your Ferry Fest t-shirt or Concordia Cardinal red. You’ll also have the opportunity to run a lap, mile, or more in his honor.
- 6 p.m. | LAST LECTURE—Join us in the Chapel or catch it via the livestream here: cuaa.edu/LastLecture. Ferry will leave us with some parting words, no doubt gracing us with his trademark storytelling prowess.
Friday, April 30
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | FERRY FRI-YAY—Play games and celebrate the end of the semester on central campus with some Ferry-themed activities
- 7:30 p.m. | CARDYs—The sixth annual CARDYs celebrating student athletes and the CUAA community will include a special message from President Ferry. Go Cards!
Monday, May 10
- 4 – 6 p.m. | FACULTY/STAFF FAREWELL RECEPTION—Employees, this is your chance to bid President Ferry farewell in person. More details to come.
Click here to view Ferry Fest activities at CUW.
—
If this story has inspired you, why not explore how you can help further Concordia's mission through giving.