Lois W. Pearson "51 '55 and Marion H. Benz '66 Scholarship Fund

Dr. Pearson was born in Buffalo. She graduated from Bennett High School and had bachelor and master of science degrees in education from Buffalo State College. Dr. Pearson taught at Herbert Hoover Elementary School in the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District from 1951 to 1961. She then embarked on a 30-year career as a professor of elementary education at Buffalo State College. She retired in 1991 and was named professor emeritus of elementary education and reading. A member and elder of North Park Presbyterian Church, she sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. She was a member of the Runan-Magnet Lodge, Vasa Order of America, in honor of her Swedish heritage, and was a founding member and past president of Alpha Lambda Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, and a charter member and past president of the Buffalo-South Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa. Dr. Pearson passed away in 2005.

A non-traditional student, Dr. Marion H. Benz graduated from Buffalo State College in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and later completed her master’s degree and PhD at the University of Rochester. She spent her career in education, initially teaching elementary education from 1966 to 1972. Dr. Benz returned to Buffalo State in 1972 as a faculty member in elementary education department, a position she held until her retirement in 1993.

The Lois W. Pearson "51 ‘55 and Marion H. Benz ’66 Scholarship Fund was established in December 2006 by Virginia and Ronald Pearson Miller and Janet and Kenneth Pearson Miller in memory of their aunt, Dr. Lois W. Pearson, and in honor of Lois’ friend, colleague, and eventual caregiver Dr. Marion H. Benz.