Meet Our Donors - Lois Ferguson

Lois Ferguson says God led her to Lyon College

Lois Ferguson was first introduced to Lyon College in 1996 when she attended the Presbyterian Women’s Conference on the campus that year. She returned in 1998 as conference director.

“I felt so good about being in this place,” she said. “God led me to Lyon.”

The relationship has only grown closer in the following years. She served on the Board of Church Advocates from 1999-2002 and was re-appointed this year for another three-year term. She has represented the College on Higher Education Sunday several times in recent years and served as coordinator for her church to host the College’s Concert Choir during their 1999 spring tour.

In 1999, she established the Robert W. and Lois R. Ferguson Annual Scholarship in memory of her late husband, Bob. The scholarship is awarded to a student majoring in chemistry. Mr. Ferguson was a chemical engineer.

“Lyon is very much in my heart,” she explained. “It has given me a reason to go on without Bob.”

Lyon attracts a different group of students than other colleges, she said. “Students come here with a real purpose.”

The New Jersey native moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana, with her husband in 1960. She was a Realtor for 28 years and also served as director of marketing and membership for the Greater Lake Charles Chamber of Commerce.

She also has been heavily involved in music. She studied voice and violin in New Jersey and when she moved to Louisiana, “I brought my voice but left the violin behind.”

She was a dramatic soprano at McNeese State University for six years and has performed in musicals and “in every church in Lake Charles.”

Mrs. Ferguson continues to be very active in the Presbyterian Church and has served as a medical missionary to Cuba three times.

Mrs. Ferguson also has been active in Business and Professional Women and the American Association of University Women. She has two daughters and two grandchildren.

“Lyon College is in my heart to stay,” she said. “I will continue to support Lyon.”