Photo Caption: Richard Featherstone (1920-1986)
Richard Lee Featherstone was a professor
in the Educational Administration from 1960 to 1985.

The Richard Lee Featherstone Society or the Featherstone Society as it is more commonly called is a diverse group of people who came together to honor the life of Richard Featherstone, an outstanding faculty member in the Department of Educational Administration and an exceptional educator. They wanted to carry on the mission and spirit of Dick Featherstone by focusing on his dedication to learning and his mentoring of others.

The mission of the Society when conceived in the late 1980s was described as follows:

The Richard Lee Featherstone Society unites educational leaders and friends of Dick Featherstone for the purpose of honoring and perpetuating his personal and professional example. An enthusiasm for the learning and teaching process, an intellectual curiosity unbounded by traditional disciplinary orientation, a distinguished record of applying and widely sharing professional expertise, and a respect for and commitment to people are the hallmarks of the Society as illustrated by the life of Richard Lee Featherstone.

In 1990, the group initiated a scholarship in his name specifically designated for students in the Department of Educational Administration. The purpose of the scholarship is to support outstanding students enrolled in the Department of Educational Administration who have demonstrated distinguished scholarship, intellectual curiosity about educational matters and a capacity for educational leadership. More than 20 scholars from the Department of Educational Administration have now benefited from this scholarship. In l996, the group initiated the Richard Lee Featherstone Prize. Students from any college across campus are eligible for this prize of $1,000. The Featherstone Prize focuses on identifying outstanding seniors who demonstrate an "open, curious, creative approach to education and demonstrate intellectual curiosity and innovation with exceptional character and with outstanding leadership abilities."

Since l989, the Society has raised more than $100,000 from former students, friends, and family to fund the scholarship and prize.

In l997, the Featherstone Society joined with the Department of Educational Administration to sponsor three informal programs held over the noon hour and invited current and future educational leaders--students, faculty, alumni, and friends--to join in the presentation and discussion. The most recent program featured Senator Dan DeGrow and was attended by more than 100 people. The Society is also one of the sponsors of the Crystal Apple Dinner each year. The Crystal Apple Awards honor those outstanding educators who have been personally selected by others as being representative of teaching excellence and commitment.