Ferguson gives final thoughts on his Albion experience
By Ryan Lewis
Staff Writer

The following is an interview with Acting President William Ferguson, '52. He will continue to serve as chair of the Albion College Board of Trustees next spring.

How did you first react to the suggestion of you being acting president?

I thought teaching a course would be fun and new. All my life I had been involved in administration management, which is really what [being acting president] is. I finally decided that I could fill in for the semester. Melvin Vulgamore deserves a sabbatical.

As I've kidded, I retired and now I have a day job and a night job [my evening class].

All I'm really interested in is helping in some way.

I am strongly committed to the college, as a result of being a student here, having two daughters graduate from here, being on the board of trustees for 16 years, and chair for the last six.

I've really enjoyed the teaching - it's been a lot of fun. The students are terrific. I've learned from them.

I [also] knew that if I did this for a semester, I would be a better trustee afterwards, because I would know more about the school and the students, faculty, and staff.

It's that old adage of management by walking around. Some of the principles are the same: get people to identify with a shared purpose and a set of values - that's basic to every organization or enterprise, whether it's for profit or it's not for profit.

How long did it take you to get used to all the responsibilities?

The administration is new in the sense of working with faculty, going to faculty meetings, meeting with cabinet - those are new things.

So I think it's a constant learning [experience], but in terms of these mechanisms for exercising governess, I could slip into those quite readily.

Aside from the class, did you start out with any major goals for the semester?

Well, the major thing that we had to deal with this semester was what had been termed "restructuring." So the restructuring with faculty was the major goal.

I'm pleased that I've been able to work with faculty, and they came up with a recommendation that I was able to embrace and take to the trustees.

Do you find it difficult filling the position of president while remaining chair of the board of trustees?

No. I think that it has been helpful in the process, dealing with the restructuring. As I've worked with faculty, I've been able to share with them how I thought the trustees would act and react to various proposals.

If you were given the chance after this semester, would you consider stepping in as president again?

I would have an interest in teaching in some way [in the future], but as far as being acting president, I have no interest - I don't think it would be in the best interest of the college to do that.

I'm pleased that we've been able to accomplish some things; we've moved the ball forward. I'm particularly excited about the re-examination of core and the freshman experience.

I do feel there are some things I could have done better. I am honest with myself and recognize that, and working through this restructuring was a major, major issue.

The students, the faculty, the staff have been very kind and open to my wife and me, and I appreciate that. I enjoy seeing people on the campus, informally - just having them smile and say "hello."

My feelings about Albion College were very strong before [this semester], and are even stronger now.