Dr. Richard L. Ferguson smiles as he stands in the Dr. Richard L. Ferguson Iowa Technology Enhanced Classroom.

ITEC classroom named in recognition of Richard “Dick” Ferguson

Thursday, August 31, 2017

One of the state’s most advanced, collaborative, and high-tech learning spaces has a new name.

A special ceremony held in April celebrated the official naming of the Dr. Richard L. Ferguson Iowa Technology Enhanced Classroom, in recognition of Ferguson’s outstanding advocacy and service to the University of Iowa College of Education.

The classroom, located in the College of Education’s Lindquist Center North, features four learning stations with laptops, an embedded microphone with enhanced echo cancellation, and a flat screen TV for sharing materials among groups including students in remote locations.

Annually, not only do hundreds of students use the classroom space and participate from remote locations across the state, nation, and world, but guests tour the space, ranging from a Chinese delegation to middle school students from Andrew, Iowa, who toured the space to get ideas for a new learning space in their hometown community.

As former CEO and chairman of ACT, Ferguson has proven to be an unwavering partner in helping the UI fulfill its educational mission. Under his direction, ACT became an internationally recognized authority on educational testing and measurement. Building on the company’s long-standing relationship with the university, Ferguson helped establish the ACT Scholars Program, which donated $5 million to support underrepresented UI graduate students in diverse disciplines. A longtime adjunct professor in the UI College of Education, Ferguson also provides invaluable guidance to the UI by serving on several university committees and advisory boards including the Belin-Blank Center Advisory Board.

“Dick has been a key friend and supporter of the College of Education as well as the Belin-Blank Center for the past 17 years,” says Dean Emeritus Nicholas Colangelo. “Dick has been and continues to be a trusted advisor to me and current Dean Dan Clay on issues in education.”

Ferguson has also helped the College of Education plan for initiatives in technology and online offerings.

“This is a fitting recognition of the many years of service Dick has provided to our college,” says Clay. “We are grateful for his commitment to continuing to be an advocate for us.”