Leading by Example – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | General
Sept. 10, 2005
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When addressing the 2005 class of Fisher College MBA students, Barbara Fergus delivered one central message: do not live life as a spectator – participation is vital.
No one can accuse Fergus of dismissing her own advice in her professional life. As a successful businesswoman, Fergus is a founder and partner of Midwestern Auto Group in Dublin, Ohio. In addition, Fergus takes an active role in The Ohio State University and the Columbus community.
Fergus supports the Ohio State community through her involvement and philanthropic support of the John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy, the Advanced Computer Center for Arts and Design’s (ACCAD) Digital Animation: Summer Technology Mentoring Program for high school girls, the collaborative dance program of the College of the Arts and Ballet Met and the Ohio State women’s basketball program.
The Barbara K. Fergus Women in Leadership Lecture Series, a new John Glenn Institute program, begins this year. Leaders from all walks of life – corporate, political, non-profit and higher education – will speak to Ohio State faculty, students and community members about leadership opportunities.
“It is important to offer young men and women nurturing and inspiration to enrich their chosen career paths,” Fergus, who this past spring was selected to address the Fisher College MBA students at their graduation, said. “With these programs young men and women can learn more about themselves and their positions in the community.”
“Barbara Fergus is a role model for women in so many ways from her business leadership to her efforts to strengthen our community and our society. The Ohio State University is fortunate to count her as a long-time supporter,” Karen A. Holbrook, president of The Ohio State University, said. “The Fergus Women in Leadership Lecture Series will provide a wonderful opportunity for learning, collaboration and meaningful engagement with our students and members of the community.”
Since 2003, Fergus has been a private donor for ACCAD director Maria Palazzi’s animation program that invites local female high school students to attend a free two-week seminar working with women mentors.
In addition, Fergus was one of the founders of the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio and also is involved with the Jefferson Center program, Next Generation of Leaders. This program is devoted to providing men and women in arts administration tools to improve their role in the community.
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“Do not live life as a spectator – participation is vital.” Barbara K. Fergus |
“Offering the young men and women another lens on life gives them a broader view and a new way to see themselves in their communities,” Fergus said.
Fergus’ support of Ohio State women’s basketball goes beyond her frequent attendance at games. She created the Barbara Fergus Athletic Scholarship for Women’s Basketball, which is awarded to an outstanding Ohio State women’s basketball student-athlete. Past recipients of Fergus’s athletic scholarship are Katie Smith, Jamie Lewis and Caity Matter.
“(Ohio State women’s basketball coach) Jim Foster and Ohio State athletics have done a wonderful job providing these young women with support and inspiration to becoming successful women on and off the court,” Fergus said.
Fergus thinks the lessons learned during practice and during games to work together as a team and to be unselfish are lessons that can be applied to life.
Kate Riffee, director of donor relations and stewardship for the department of athletics said, “The One-on-One Scholarship Program not only provides support for student-athletes and their education, it also gives the donor the opportunity to establish a unique bond with their student athlete recipient. It makes a difference in the lives of both donor and student-athlete. The donor gets to observe the results of their gift through the student-athlete’s progress both academically and athletically and the student-athlete gets to realize their dreams.”
During Smith’s career at Ohio State from 1992-96 she was a two-time All-American. Not only did Smith achieve success on the basketball court but also recognition for her academic performance. She was a four-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and three-time Academic All-Big Ten pick.
“Barbara served not only as a benefactor for my education, but also a tremendous role model for what it takes to be a successful woman,” Smith said. “I still appreciate her guidance and concern for me as a person. My relationship with Barbara made such a difference in my life. I now consider Barbara to be my friend and confidant. It truly was an honor to be the first recipient of the Barbara Fergus Athletic Scholarship for women’s basketball.”
Matter played for the Buckeyes from 2000-05 and was team captain her senior season.
“Barbara’s commitment to me and to the sport of Ohio State women’s basketball made our relationship a natural fit,” Matter, who now plays for the WNBA Charlotte Sting, said. “She has been so successful in life and I have learned a great deal from her. She not only made a significant contribution to my education, but also has had a positive impact on my life. For that, I will be forever grateful.”
While playing for the Buckeyes, Matter, earned numerous awards and titles. During her senior year Matter earned honorable mention All-American honors by the Associated Press and won the 2005 ESPN/Midas Three-Point Shootout.
Similar to the heart and passion that women student-athletes bring to the basketball court, Fergus brings her commitment to encouraging and motivating young woman to achieve their full potential in their career paths.
Whether it is on the court, in the studio or in the business realm, Fergus encourages women to courageously challenge barriers, to continue to create opportunities and to retain balance between their personal and professional lives. Fergus’ active participation and generous endowments to the Ohio State community and the greater Columbus area demonstrates her message to the graduating students; the important role each individual plays within their community.
The strength of a community can be measured by its member’s efforts to enhance and nurture the next generation, and with support from business leaders like Barbara Fergus, active participation increases the community’s potential to grow in wisdom and leadership.
