Ferris State University president named one of 200 Most Influential Leaders in West Michigan

The president of Ferris State University, Bill Pink, has recently been named among the 200 Most Influential Leaders in West Michigan for 2025 by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business. He was lauded for his leadership at Ferris, which is known for driving student success by creating opportunities for those students.

In an article posted on Ferris State University’s website, Crain’s editor Joe Boomgaard was quoted from a feature he wrote about the business landscape of West Michigan as saying, “West Michigan’s dynamic business climate is full of visionaries, passionate leaders and people who thrive on making a difference in their organizations and the community at large. Collectively, they shepherd billions of dollars of investment and touch the lives of thousands of employees, all while contributing to the local economy.”

Of the 200 leaders included on the list, President Pink is one of only five educators. The others are Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Leadraine Roby, Davenport University President Rick Pappas, Grand Valley State University President Philomena V. Mantella, and Western Michigan University President Russ Kavalhuna.

Earlier this year, Ferris State was given a major distinction as the only public university in West Michigan to have been awarded the prestigious “Opportunity University” designation from the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education. The title showcases the school’s commitment to providing accessible education, as well as its proven history of preparing students to attain meaningful and rewarding careers.

The Opportunity University designation shines a spotlight on the increasing impact Ferris State is making in creating a talent pipeline for not only West Michigan, but for the whole state. Over half of the students attending Ferris State University call themselves first generation college students, and almost all of the students who graduate stay in the state as they join the workforce.

Boomgaard spoke highly of the honorees, and noted that in this third edition of the list there are  “captains of industry who have molded the region’s economy into what it is today and driven it to evolve and innovate in ways that ensure its future remains bright.”

The honorees were chosen by the editorial team at Crain’s Grand Rapids Business, and were selected entirely based on the judgement of the organization’s reporters and editors.

President Pink was named in Crain’s top 200 list in 2024 and 2023, as well. He was also named Newsmaker of the Year for education earlier this year by Crain’s. 

Bill Pink was hired as the 19th president of Ferris State University back in July of 2022. Prior to coming to Ferris, he served as the president of Grand Rapids Community College. Pink originally comes from Abilene, Texas. He has coached and taught in Oregon, Nebraska, and Oklahoma before settling in Michigan. In 2016 he was inducted into the York College Athletic Hall of Fame due to his skills as a student athlete.

President Pink also serves on several boards for both state level and national organizations that focus on economic as well as educational development.

More information about Ferris State University can be found at the school’s website.