Ri enrolled in the University of Michigan at the age of 16, just as World War II began, where she majored in geology. After completing her education, Ri was a pioneer as a female geologist working for oil companies — Texaco in Texas and Stand Oil in California — before becoming a teacher. She returned home to Michigan for a position with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Shortly after starting a family, she began teaching geology at Wayne State University.

She left Wayne a few years later to chair the Middle School science department of Grosse Pointe University School, which would merge with her alma mater, the Liggett School, to form University Liggett School in 1969. In total, Mrs. Renaud’s time teaching at University Liggett School and two of its predecessor schools spanned 33 years: 1946-1948 and 1958-1989.

Mrs. Renaud brought her experience as a geologist and a conservationist and a belief in the power of hands-on education with her when she joined the Liggett faculty. She frequently took her classes outside to help students better understand important concepts such as scale and scope. She grew to be revered as a tough but thoroughly beloved teacher by students and families alike. By the 1970s, Mrs. Renaud was an award-winning leader in science education, and her teaching style was a favorite among students.

In 1972, Mrs. Renaud began planning ways for students to learn outside of the classroom setting. Drawing on her years with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, she suggested taking the students on a camping trip.  That trip was the genesis of University Liggett School’s cherished tradition of annual outdoor education adventures. Beginning with Mrs. Renaud’s all-Middle School excursion to Proud Lake, the tradition later transformed into an annual sixth-grade trip to Pleasant Lake. Our students continue to reap the essential benefits of the experiential opportunities she wanted them to have.

In the decades that followed, University Liggett School teachers began incorporating outdoor and environmental education into their courses, sharing their subjects with students in entirely new ways and providing hands-on opportunities to students at all grade levels. Mrs. Renaud’s innovative ideas for hands-on and outdoor education have lasted well beyond her retirement from the classroom in 1989.  They have become one of the school’s signature differentiating programs. Generations of students have enjoyed transformative experiences at Proud Lake and Pleasant Lake thanks in large part to Mrs. Renaud’s efforts.

Along with her many University Liggett School responsibilities, Mrs. Renaud also found time to co-author a science textbook, win a statewide Teacher-of-the-Year award, serve on the board of the Cranbrook Institute of Science, speak at education conferences, and volunteer for the Detroit Boat Club, the Indian Village Association, and several community organizations. She was a skilled bridge player and puzzle solver. She was a voracious reader (especially of mysteries) and was a life-long fan of University of Michigan football and the Detroit Tigers.

She impacted generations of students and families at University Liggett School and she will be fondly remembered by our entire community.