Mary Peterson

This scholarship is established by Mary Peterson, in memory of her late husband Ronald L. Peterson, to honor the tremendous contributions he made as a pastor, therapist and community leader. Ron graduated from Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary. He spent several years providing pastoral service, spiritual guidance and instructive preaching to congregations in Crown Point, Indiana; Goshen, Indiana; Dearborn, Michigan; and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Recognizing Ron’s gifts of vision and collaborative leadership, the denomination appointed him as Regional Director of Home Missions where he supervised and supported churches and their ministries in the eastern United States for 16 years. Ron then graduated from the Blanton-Peale Institute and opened a private marriage and family therapy practice, providing compassionate counsel and care to his clients. After moving to Grand Rapids from New Jersey in 1998, he served as Minister of Pastoral Care for the Hope Reformed Church and Church of the Servant as the director of the Pastoral Residency Program. Ron also served the greater community as a board member for the Holland Home Association and the Calvin Alumni Association; he also mentored and taught students in the ESL program at Church of the Servant. This scholarship will support a student who reflects Ron’s heart for service and who plans to nurture, guide and support others through a career in social work.