Oct. 17, 2005, Findlay, Ohio – David P. Ferguson has been appointed vice president for development of The University of Findlay, effective November 1, 2005. Ferguson will be responsible for the offices of development, public information and alumni affairs.

Dr. DeBow Freed, president of The University of Findlay, said, “We are pleased that a person with Mr. Ferguson’s background and ability is joining the University. He has had successful experiences at St. Bonaventure University, Ohio State and as managing editor of the Columbus Dispatch. He should be a strong and effective leader of the University’s development program.”

“I am delighted and honored to have been selected as vice president for development,” Ferguson said. “I have been enormously impressed by the trustees, faculty, staff and students I have met, and by the vision and leadership of the University. The enthusiasm all have expressed for Findlay bodes very well for the future. I am eager to join the team.”

Ferguson served as vice president of university relations at St. Bonaventure University, Bonaventure, N.Y., for three years. During his tenure, research funding and development activities were substantially increased. He was responsible for designing and implementing the university’s integrated marketing and communications strategy and served as the university’s chief spokesperson. He previously served as St. Bonaventure University’s vice president for marketing and public relations.

He also served as associate vice chancellor for public relations at The State University of New York; associate vice president for university relations and executive assistant to the senior vice president and provost at The Ohio State University; and played several key roles for The Ohio State University Affirm Thy Friendship Campaign.

Ferguson was the editorial page editor and later managing editor of the Columbus Dispatch from 1981-1989, and was among the finalists for the 1983 Pulitzer Prize in editorial writing.

He earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from Seton Hall University and a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. He is a graduate of Harvard Management Development Program’s Summer Institute and the Center for Philanthropy Fund-Raising School’s Summer Institute.

Ferguson has been active in public service organizations including the Thurber House, Columbus, Ohio, and the Columbus Area Leadership Program. He is the co-founder of Leadership Cattaraugs in Olean, N.Y., and is a contributor to Modern Maturity magazine.