Donor Stories
Ruth and Richard Santer
Ruth and Richard Santer
Richard A. Santer met his wife, Ruth M. (Boyce) Santer,
while they were both students at Michigan State Normal
College, now EMU. Both received bachelor's degrees from
Eastern in 1959—Ruth in elementary education and Richard
in secondary education. Richard also earned a master's from
EMU in 1965. The Santers chose a charitable gift annuity
because they wanted to be able to give something back to the
University and promote teacher education.
"Eastern has earned a reputation for excellent
teacher preparation. This gift is to help maintain and
elevate its reputation for excellence," said the Santers.
In addition to raising two daughters, Ruth spent 30
years teaching elementary school full-time before
retiring. She credits her love of school and her decision to
become a teacher to her early years attending a one-room country school, in Tecumseh,
Mich. "I loved school, and my mind never changed about
my vocational plans," she said.
Richard went on to earn his Ph.D. and is an emeritus
professor of geography from Ferris State University.
A distinguished author on the geography of Michigan
and a cherished professor of 27 years, Richard gave the
commencement address at Ferris the semester he retired. In
tribute to his dedication to geography and his students, Ferris
further honored him by naming the Richard Santer Nature
Preserve at Ferris State University.
Since their retirements in 1996, the Santers have been able
to pursue various interests. They have traveled extensively
and, most important for Ruth, have been able to spend more
time with their five granddaughters. Richard continues in
his quest to correct the cartographic depiction of Michigan's
Great Lakes boundaries. His efforts to correct the mapped
boundaries of Michigan to include more than simply the two
peninsulas have led him to lobby the state legislature.
Becoming alumni from Eastern followed in the steps of
their forbearers for both the Santers. Not only did Ruth's
grandmother attend MSNC, but since 1860, 16 of Richard's
family members have attended. The Santers would like to see
their gift support a scholarship in elementary or secondary
education, or a master's candidate in geography.
