Honorees-
Mary & william Peterson

For more than three decades, Mary L. Peterson and William M. Peterson have contributed to many facets of life at Southampton College. The couple’s long association with the College began when Dr. William Peterson, now professor emeritus of English, joined the faculty in 1967.

Over the years, he has shared his talents and life-long interests in writing, literature and drama as director of both the Humanities and Fine Arts Divisions, as well as coordinator of the theater program. Dr. Peterson was an influential member of the Steinbeck Project Committee and served on the editorial board of Confrontation, the Long Island University literary magazine. He earned a B.A. and an M.A. in English from Brown University, as well as a B.Litt. from Oxford University and a Ph.D. from the University of Bristol. His research and writing have focused on dramatic literature, especially that of Eugene O’Neill.

Mary Peterson, who holds a B.A. from Grinnell College and an M.A. from Western Reserve University, joined the Southampton faculty as an English instructor in 1975. In the 20 years that followed, she held a wide variety of positions at the College including dean of students, director of academic advising and director of academic support services. She was instrumental in establishing the academic advising program, the hallmark of personalized attention that is at the heart of the College’s mission.

The Petersons are always gracious hosts, opening their home to Southampton’s students and faculty. They have two sons, Thomas and James.

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