Ruth S. Felton, MEd’71
As a former teacher, tutor, university trustee, and proud owner of a master’s degree in higher education administration from Northeastern, Ruth Felton has always valued education, calling it “one of the most important things” in life. Even now, years after her 1971 graduation from her alma mater, she is still involved with education as a lifetime trustee emerita.
Ruth is a longtime generous supporter of Northeastern and its students, faculty, and initiatives. She joined the Board of Trustees in 1981 and during her time as trustee served on many committees, including a stretch as director of the National Council. Upon her retirement from the board in 2001, Ruth was presented with a Northeastern watch as a token of appreciation for her volunteer leadership—a gift that she wears proudly each day. She was elected to emerita status in 2005. Ruth is a member of Northeastern’s Frank Palmer Speare Society, which honors alumni, parents, and friends whose legacies are shaping the future of the university through an estate provision or planned gift.
Although Ruth has given much of her time to Northeastern, she has also greatly impacted other institutions in the Boston area. She is a former trustee at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Saint Timothy’s School, and a former corporator of the Winsor School and Boston Biomedical Research Institute.
Ruth holds a bachelor’s degree in social relations from Radcliffe College. She currently resides in Massachusetts and has three daughters, a son, three step-children, 10 grandchildren, nine step-grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.