(AP) -- An institution that started as Big Rapids Industrial School is celebrating its 125th birthday this week as Ferris State University. There were 15 students in the class that entered Big Rapids Industrial School on Sept. 1, 1884.

Ferris State now has about 13,500 students at its main campus in Big Rapids as well as at branches in Grand Rapids and about 20 other locations around Michigan.

The university celebrates its 125th birthday as part of Founder's Day on Thursday.

Events include a 11 a.m. U.S. Postal Service commemorative stamp cancellation event, followed by a picnic lunch, ice cream social and other activities.

http://www.ferris.edu/125

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