BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (March 28, 2022) – Ferris State University's board of trustees on Monday officially named former Oklahoma Christian basketball player Bill Pink as the selected finalist to become that institution's 19th president.

Pink has been the president of Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan since May 2017. He has been an educator for more than 30 years, with teaching, coaching and administrative roles in Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Oregon. He's one of at least four OC alumni who currently serve as college presidents, joining Lana Reynolds (Seminole State College), Stan Helton (Alberta Bible College) and Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar (University of Central Oklahoma).

Like OC, Ferris State is a member of NCAA Division II. Ferris State's board of trustees will officially vote on the university's next president on May 6. Upon confirmation, Pink will succeed President David L. Eisler, who retires on June 30, after serving 19 years as Ferris State's 18th president.

"I am honored to be selected by the Ferris State University board," Pink said. "I have been familiar with the good work of FSU for years, as the partnership we have on our GRCC campus has provided a great pathway from associate to bachelor degree for many years," Pink said. "I will not attempt to fill the shoes of Dr. Eisler and the incredible work he has done for the university, the region and our state. Instead, I'll wear my own shoes in continuing to move Ferris forward. I am excited about the opportunity."

A native of Abilene, Texas, Pink graduated from Oklahoma Christian in 1990 with an education degree, earning NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors as a senior on the OC basketball team. He played on two of the better teams during Dan Hays' 33-year tenure as OC's coach, a 30-6 squad that made the 1989 NAIA District 9 championship game and a District 9 semifinalist squad in 1990.

Pink went on to coach basketball and tennis at York College in Nebraska – in 2016, he was inducted into the YC Athletic Hall of Fame – then served as athletic director, assistant to the president and head men's basketball coach at Cascade College in Portland, Ore.

He returned to his alma mater in 1998 and spent six years teaching in OC's Department of Education before joining OC alumna Sherri Coale's coaching staff at the University of Oklahoma. He served as the Sooners' director of basketball operations for two years.

Pink worked as the associate dean in the UCO's College of Education and Professional Studies until December 2011, when he was named vice president of academic affairs for Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City. He also served as a worship leader at Alameda Church of Christ in Norman for many years.

He moved to Michigan in March 2015 to become the vice president and dean for workforce development at GRCC.

"I was so impressed with the energy, enthusiasm and innovative ideas that Bill Pink brought to his interview and what he could bring to the presidency at Ferris State University," said Ferris State trustee George Heartwell, a former mayor of Grand Rapids. "I saw what he did at GRCC and admired his efforts. I knew Bill as a community member who took his responsibility as a citizen and leader very seriously. I am also impressed with Dr. Pink's commitment to economic and environmental sustainability while maintaining a laser focus on diversity, equity and inclusion."

Pink has an associate degree from York, a bachelor's degree from OC, a master's degree from UCO, and a doctorate from OU. UCO honored Pink with its Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018.

Pink and his wife, Lori, have two children, Lance and Lydia. Lance is married to his wife, Kayla, and they have a son, Nathaniel.

"Ferris has been impacting our state for over 135 years, and will continue to do amazing things for our communities and the people who live here," Pink said. "I am honored to be selected to continue that work. We have a big job to do in higher education across our state and nation in helping our communities dig out of the pandemic's effects. Ferris needs to be right in the middle of that work, and I look forward to leading the effort."