EDWARDSBURG — Retired Edwardsburg School Superintendent Sherman Ostrander will speak at the Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 20.

His topic will be “Leading the Schools for 23 years.” There is no admission charge.

Ostrander, who retired June 30 after 31 years in Edwardsburg, served as the assistant high school principal, middle school principal, high school principal, and assistant superintendent before his tenure as superintendent.

Under his leadership, the district became the first in the state of Michigan to have all of its buildings designated as Blue Ribbon Schools.

In addition to having served as North Central Association visitation chairman, he was chairman of the Michigan Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Select Committee.

Ostrander was a recipient of the Regional Superintendent of the Year Award by the Michigan Association of School Administrators and was selected as one of only 100 superintendents nationally for membership in the Superintendent’s Institute of America.

His accomplishments in innovative, diverse and inspiring educational opportunities include the establishment of the Middle College and Early College Online programs at Edwardsburg, participation in the Berrien County Math and Science Center and dual enrollment through both Southwestern Michigan College and Indiana University South Bend.

He also was instrumental in the use of technology innovations in the district, as well as bond referendums. Besides leading the construction of several building projects, including the Performing Arts Center, the Administrative Center and the Edwardsburg Intermediate School, he fostered the establishment of both the Edwardsburg Public Schools Foundation and the Hall of Fame.

Ostrander received the Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, from Northern Michigan University, the Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership, with honors, from Western Michigan University, and the Specialist in Educational Degree, also with honors, from Andrews University.