The
James Joe Ferguson
Memorial Scholarship
Endowment in Geography
The Endowment
The James Joe Ferguson Memorial Scholarship Endowment was initiated
to pay tribute to a graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi
who dedicated his life's work to "enhancing geography education
in America's classrooms." Through his work with the National Geographic
Society's Geography Education Program, Joe Ferguson affected thousands of
educators
and students nationwide.
Endowment Purpose
The James Joe Ferguson Memorial Scholarship Endowment in Geography was
established to honor Joe Ferguson and to promote the continued enhancement
of the teaching of geography in America's class rooms. The endowment
is used to provide scholarships for full-time undergraduate
students who major in geography.
To support the Department of Geography at The University of Southern
Mississippi and contribute to the James Joe Ferguson Memorial Scholarship
Endowment, simply send your donations to The USM Foundation or contact
the Department of Geography.
James Joe Ferguson
James Joe Ferguson was born in Durant, Mississippi in 1962. He graduated
from Durant High School as valedictorian of his class. He attended Holmes
Community College and graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi
with a degree in geography in 1984. Later Joe earned a master's degree
in geography from Ohio University.
In January 1987 Joe joined the National Geographic Society as one of
the first full-time employees of the then brand-new Geography Education
Program. He quickly became the personification of the Society's commitment
to teachers for thousands of educators nationwide. During his years of
employment at the Society he dedicated his work to "enhancing geography
education in America's classrooms."
Tragically, Joe Ferguson was aboard American Airlines Flight 77 that
was hijacked September 11, 2001, and later crashed into the Pentagon
in Washington, D.C. Joe was accompanied on that flight by Ann Judge,
director of the National Geographic Society's travel office, three school
teachers, and three students. The group was flying to California to participate
in the JASON project, a deepwater exploration project conducted by the
National Geographic Society and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. This educational field trip to the Channel Islands National
Marine Sanctuary would have involved placing the three teacher-student
pairs into the field with researchers and scientists.
Joe Ferguson was dedicated to enhancing geographic education and the
appreciation of maps.
The USM Foundation
The USM Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation, serves as a
fiduciary of all private funds donated to The University of Southern
Mississippi. Gifts to the University through the Foundation are tax deductible
within the limits of the law.
All gifts should be made payable to: The USM Foundation.
USM Foundation
Box 10026
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0026
601/266-5602
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