IXA, MO, July 17, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Wendy Ferguson has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Ferguson has established a distinguished career in higher education fundraising having served as the assistant vice president for development and strategy at Missouri State University since 2023. In this role, she is responsible for hiring professional fundraising staff, overseeing their training, managing fundraising programs and collaborating with colleagues to ensure the smooth operation of her department. Her duties also include managing her portfolio and attending numerous meetings to maintain the university's strategic objectives.

Ms. Ferguson demonstrates a strong commitment to her responsibilities and performance metrics, taking pride in consistently meeting and exceeding expectations. A highly driven professional, she maintains a competitive spirit and a constant pursuit of excellence. Nonetheless, she underscores that the focus of her division is on working to provide philanthropic support to Missouri State for the benefit of students who face financial barriers to higher education. Her team is deeply engaged in soliciting support from donors who fund scholarships and support university programs and initiatives. Their core mission is to create opportunities for future generations to attain a college education and achieve long-term success.

Prior to her current position, Ms. Ferguson was the executive director of development at the same institution for 10 years. During this tenure, she honed her skills in fundraising and development, contributing significantly to the university's growth and success. Her leadership was instrumental in launching several key initiatives, including the BearsWIN (Women's Impact Network) program in October 2023, which she considers one of her most notable achievements. This program was developed in consultation with Kathleen Loehr, a renowned expert in women's philanthropy.

From 2008 to 2013, Ms. Ferguson served as the director of planned and corporate giving at Missouri State University. In this capacity, she played a crucial role in securing major gifts and fostering relationships. Her efforts in this position resulted in many planned gift commitments, which allow donors to create their legacy and leave a lasting impact at Missouri State, as well as assisting the university with planning for the future and long-term financial support. She began her journey at Missouri State University as the director of donor relations from 2002 to 2008.

Before joining Missouri State University, Ms. Ferguson gained valuable experience as the PARTNERS in Caring director at CoxHealth in Springfield, MO from 1998 to 2000 and as a community relations coordinator at White River Medical Center in Batesville, AR from 1994 to 1998. Maintaining her involvement in the fundraising industry, she is an active member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

Ms. Ferguson's educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Lyon College, where she graduated in 1993. In addition to her educational work, she attributes much of her success to the mentorship and support she received from inspiring female leaders throughout her career and the encouragement from friends and family.

Recognized for her influence and impact, Ms. Ferguson was named one of the Most Influential Women by the Springfield Business Journal in 2024. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with her family, watching her daughter play basketball, gardening, and traveling in her free time. In the coming years, Ms. Ferguson will focus on developing strategic plans for the foundation and the university while exploring innovative strategies to increase private philanthropic support for Missouri State University.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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