Woodbridge Nathan Ferris (
January 6,
1853 -
March 23,
1928) was an educator and statesman from
New England. He began teaching in his late teens. Ferris later moved to
Michigan, where he served as
governor and founded what is now
Ferris State University in
Big Rapids. Ferris also served in the
United States Senate (1923-28) and supported the establishment of a federal
Department of Education.