Webster H. Pearce - Maamawi-Ozhigi - Together We Grow

Webster Pearce, a Michigan native, grew up in Washtenaw county in the late 19th century. The son of a pastor, he went on to receive his bachelor’s of pedagogy degree from Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University) and his Bachelor of Arts from Albion, before receiving a master’s degree from the University of Michigan. Throughout his long career in Michigan education, he worked as a school superintendent, a high school principal and then as a professor at Eastern and then Central Michigan, before his appointment to state superintendent. Taking office as Northern Michigan’s president in 1933 came with the unique challenges of the Great Depression, but Pearce was known for being sincere and hardworking, and doing everything he could for the students. Unfortunately, he suffered a heart attack in July of 1940, and was unable to resume his duties. He died only a few months later.