A student project turned into a special recognition at Ferris State University. Wednesday night, the National Weather Service named the school a storm ready facility. It's one of only four universities in Michigan to be recognized.

From an outdoor broadcast system to emergency phone alerts, students spent months documenting how the school was prepared for an emergency.

The National Weather Service is encouraging communities to take part in the storm ready program. They say the better prepared, the more people could be save in a disaster.

Stacey Skrysak and Photojournalist Joel Deaner have more.