1974 – Midland, Michigan
Willa Stauffer was born in Peru, Illinois, one of eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Kirkendall. She is the wife of the late Dr. R. Gary Stauffer, Northwood University Co-founder. She has been dedicated to activities in support of Northwood since the college’s founding. Willa has been an active member of the National Women’s Board, Town & Campus and the Library League since the organizations were founded. She has also served as chairman of Town & Campus. She has worked diligently on the FAD Auction projects and the annual Town & Campus Holiday Boutiques and served as a gracious hostess and ambassador on behalf of Northwood. She has served the interests of health and community projects as a member of the Gratiot Community Hospital Auxiliary in Alma and as an active volunteer for the MidMichigan Medical Center (Midland) for the past twenty-five years. At MMMC she has been a Gift Shop buyer, a steering committee officer and is currently an Auxiliary Board member. Willa is a member of the Margaret Chase Smith Library Center Advisory Board, has been an officer of the Midland County chapter of the American Red Cross and Red Cross youth chairman. She also enjoys playing golf and portraying Mrs. Claus annually at the Midland Santa House. The Stauffers have four children, all of whom are Northwood graduates, and eleven grandchildren. In 1989, the Willa and R. Gary Stauffer Residence Complex was dedicated on the Florida campus, honoring this dedicated couple. In 1997, Dr. Willa Stauffer was awarded the honorary degree by Northwood, a popular and well deserved symbol of the university’s gratitude.
