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.
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 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.
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University of Southern Mississippi. Gifts to the University through the
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All gifts should be made payable to: The USM Foundation.