Retired Deans Support the Leaders of Tomorrow

Nancy Peterson-Klein and Matt Klein have more than just fond memories of Ferris State University—they met each other while working at Ferris. Having both grown up in families where education was highly valued, the couple became very active on campus, working to improve diversity on campus.

Nancy had been serving as faculty for eight years at Ohio State University when she was asked to join the team to develop a new optometry program at Ferris State College. Despite her colleagues’ apprehension at the prospect of her move to the “end of the world” in rural northern Michigan, she jumped in with both feet. Nancy later became the interim dean of the college and was instrumental in the construction phase of the new state-of-the-art building that now houses the Michigan College of Optometry.

Matt was the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for 10 years before retiring from Ferris in 2010. During his time at the university, he worked closely with the honors program and was very involved with building programs that helped students with both low and high ability levels.

The couple also was very involved with racquetball during their time at Ferris and were part of a group instrumental in getting safety goggles into the courts. They successfully lobbied to make the goggles a requirement in order to protect the players’ eyes.

Spending their winters in Florida and their summers in Michigan, the Kleins are currently enjoying their retirement. They remain extremely active, still playing pickleball three days a week. They also golf three days a week while carrying their own clubs and walking the entire course.

The Kleins strongly believe in the value of education for all, no matter the person’s background, ethnicity or beliefs. They’ve witnessed the impact that education can have on people’s lives. This inspired them to create two endowed scholarships with one funded through a planned gift.

The Charles G. and Dorothy E. Peterson Endowed Scholarship, honoring Nancy’s parents, is awarded to students in the doctor of optometry program in the Michigan College of Optometry. The second endowed scholarship will be awarded to students in the College of Arts and Sciences who demonstrate outstanding leadership. These gifts will serve as a legacy for the Kleins and their belief that people should give back and support projects they believe in.

Find out how you can impact future students at Ferris State University with a gift in your estate plan. Contact The Ferris Foundation at (231) 591-2365 or FerrisFoundation@ferris.edu today.