In Memoriam – Jesse E. Ferguson, Sr.
Distinguished educator, community leader and Palm Beach Junior College retiree Jesse E. Ferguson, Sr., died Jan. 1 at the age of 91.
Mr. Ferguson joined the PBJC faculty in the guidance department in 1971. Five years later, he was named assistant registrar of the College and served in that role until his retirement in the early 1980s. A career educator, he had earlier served as a faculty member, counselor and director of student personnel at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville and as a guidance counselor at John F. Kennedy High School in Riviera Beach. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Hampton University and master’s degree from New York University.
Active in community service, his leadership roles included serving as president of the Classroom Teachers Association and a director of the local NAACP. He made history by becoming the first African American port commissioner for Palm Beach County in 1988.
