I.L. Peters was the principal liaison between Central Missouri State University and Missouri Boys State when the decision was made to move from Kemper Military Academy to the campus in Warrensburg. Missouri Boys State was in need of additional space to expand and grow and Central became the campus of choice.
Shortly after the move was consummated in 1953, "Dean" I.L. Peters was elected to the American Legion Boys State Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He served in the capacity until his death in 1984. The "Dean" was always striving to provide the best environment possible for the citizens of Missouri Boys State . His goal was to see that the university staff acted as gracious hosts to the young high school students that were spending a week on the campus. To this day, the Central staff take great pride in providing for Boys State citizens the best that Central has to offer. He considered Boys State citizens and staff a part of the CMSU family.
I.L. Peters came to the campus of Central Missouri State University as the commander of the Navy V12 training command that prepared naval officers for World War II. The University administration recognized an outstanding leader and convinced him that he should remain on the campus as the dean of administration. He retired as Vice President of Finance and Administration in 1971 after 25 years of leadership that resulted in enormous student enrollment. Perhaps even more important was the growth in buildings and other facilities required to accommodate the tremendous increase in students and faculty. It is not likely that the campus will ever again attain the facility development of the 1950's and '60's. As a result of the physical growth of the campus, Central was able to accommodate a similar growth in Missouri Boys State so that today it hosts one of the largest Boys State groups in the United States today! By recognizing I.L. Peters as a member of the Boys State Hall of Fame, the MBS Board of Directors also recognized the significant contribution made by Central Missouri State University for over 40 years. I.L. Peters would have been the first to agree that Central Missouri State University deserved much of the recognition. But his hard work on behalf of Central and Missouri Boys State was obvious to everyone. The "Dean" was always striving to make Central the best that it could be. His endeavors on behalf of Missouri Boys State were just a small part of his overall contributions to the citizens of Missouri.
