A Living Reminder of our Dedication to Nature
Step off the sidewalk and into a world of towering trees, singing birds, and peaceful trails. Nestled on the Ferris State University campus, the Richard A. Santer Nature Preserve offers a peaceful place to slow down, explore, and connect with the natural world. Established in 1988, the preserve features scenic walking trails winding through wetlands and woodlands that provide opportunities for hiking, wildlife observation, and quiet reflection.
Richard A Santer: A life devoted to education, history, and nature
Richard A. Santer
Richard A. Santer was a Geography professor, historian, and environmental advocate at Ferris State who left a lasting mark on the university and the state of Michigan through his teaching, scholarship, and preservation efforts.
Some of his most notable contributions include:
- Professor of Geography: Santer taught geography at Ferris State for 27 years and became known for his dedication to students and to Michigan geography and history.
- Award-Winning Educator: He received Ferris State's Distinguished Faculty Award in 1981 and was also honored by the Michigan Association of Governing Boards for his scholarly and public service contributions.
- Founder and Protector of the Nature Preserve: In 1987, when a wooded area behind Bishop Hall was slated for development, Santer organized faculty, staff, and students to save it. The resulting 22-acre preserve was dedicated in 1988 and renamed the Richard A. Santer Nature Preserve upon his retirement in 1996 in recognition of his leadership.
- Michigan Historian and Scholar: Santer was deeply involved in documenting Michigan's geography and boundaries, particularly those of the Great Lakes. His research materials became the Richard Santer Great Lakes Basin Collection, housed in Ferris State’s archives.
- Ferris State leader: Santer served as chairman of the 1984 Ferris Centennial Task Force, leaving an impact on the university and community in the way of sculptures and writings. Santer was also known for portraying Ferris State founder Woodbridge N. Ferris during university events and anniversary celebrations, helping bring the university’s history to life for students and alumni.
- Advocate for State History: Beyond Ferris State, he served the historical community in Michigan and was named a History Hero by the Historical Society of Michigan in 2018 for his contributions to preserving and promoting Michigan history.
Santer passed away on September 21, 2024. He is remembered as an educator, author, veteran, and family man who dedicated his life to service, learning, and stewardship.
Among his many accomplishments, perhaps his most enduring legacy at Ferris State is the nature preserve that bears his name. It is a living reminder of his belief that preserving natural spaces and understanding Michigan's history are essential parts of education.
Preserve Map
Ferris State President's Dedication to Nature
"The essence of life can be seen through nature – beauty, wholeness, peace, serenity, functionality and godliness. Let no person dare destroy it, depriving the generations to come."
Victor F. Spathelf
President, 1952 – 1970
"Of all the things future generations may inherit – a living planet is the one they should treasure most. All of us must have reverence for nature. As we assume our responsibilities for the planet, we become participants rather than spectators in the majesty of nature. "
John R. Smith
Acting President, 1970 – 1971
"The location of our university in the beautiful Muskegon River Valley was by no means an accident. Woodbridge Ferris sought a place where a new school could enhance the lives of young men and women as well as improve the environment that the institution would serve. His institution continues to successfully follow those commitments he envisioned as our founder."
Robert L. Ewigleben
President, 1971 – 1984
"…After we are gone, our students are gone, the buildings are gone—the one enduring living feature of Ferris will be this place of nature."
J. William Wenrich
President, 1984 – 1988
"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, they find it attached to the rest of the world. Education at Ferris is to unsettle the minds of the young and inflame their intellect. This place will serve as a reminder to our commitment to an our joy of nature."
Roy J. Tiede
Interim President, 1988 - 1989
Stripped of autumns finery.
Bare black branches
Lie spiderwebbed against the evening sky.
In them the nature lover sees
Fixed guardians of spring blossoms
And the lush green of summer.
Helen Popovich
President, 1989 - 1994
"As humans we are intrinsically dependent on our environment for both sustenance and inspiration. A well-educated person understands and values the relationship."
William A. Sederburg
President, 1994 – 2003
Behold. Look around. This is your laboratory, the natural world. It is all around
us, and it is us.
It inspires. You will experiment in it your entire life and learn much that matters.
Treasure it whenever and wherever you find it.
Scott Hill-Kennedy
Interim President, May - July 2003
"The earth belongs not to us, but to our creator. As good stewards we protect it for our children and our children’s children."
David L. Eisler
President, 2003 - 2022