William C. Ferguson

William C. Ferguson is an alumnus, visiting professor, trustee, acting president (1995–96), chairman of the board of trustees and generous donor of Albion College. Ferguson has three children, two of whom graduated from Albion College.

Education and accomplishments

William C Ferguson graduated from Albion College in 1952 with a degree in Mathematics Education. His education led to a career in the field of technology, specifically communications. He served Albion College in many ways along with being a student. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Albion in 1996. Ferguson has also set up scholarships and endowments at the college. Ferguson is currently on Albion College’s Board of Trustees.

In 1997, Ferguson was inducted into the Albion College sports Hall of Fame. Ferguson was the master of ceremonies of the Hall of Fame dinner from 1989 to 1994. As an Albion College student William was a 4 year participant in baseball and member of the 1950 MIAA championship baseball team.

William C Ferguson also has the Ferguson Center in the Education department. It was given to him as a Christmas gift from his wife Joyce. It took about six months to work out the planning for the Ferguson Center, and the building now stands as a gift to William C Ferguson and everyone at Albion College.

The Ferguson Center was made possible by a $4 million donation by William and Joyce Ferguson. The generous donation was enough to cover half of the construction costs. The Center’s mission is to promote the effective use of technology in the service of teaching and learning. The building is home to Albion College’s technology, student and administrative services, housing information technology, the Registrar, Academic Affairs, and the President’s office. The Ferguson Center also has a 24-hour computer lab available to students, faculty, and staff.

Career

William Ferguson is currently a member of GCS’s Board of Advisor’s. William has 40 years of telecommunication experience including serving as president and CEO of New York Telephone and Executive Vice president and Chief Operating Officer of Michigan Bell Telephone. Ferguson joined Michigan Bell in 1952 and was elected an officer in 1971. He became Vice President for New York telephone in 1977 and then returned to Michigan Bell in 1978 as Executive VP and COO. He held that position until 1983 when he was appointed President and CEO of New York Telephone. Ferguson remained in the position until 1987 when he was elected Vice Chairman of NYNEX’s two major subsidiaries (New England Telephone and New York Telephone). William Ferguson retired as Chairman and CEO of the NYNEX corp. in April 1995 after holding that position for 6 years. Ferguson remained on the NYNEX board of directors until the end of 1995.