Honorary Alumnus Award: This award is unique in that it is not given to an alumnus of GMC but is given to an individual who has rendered exceptional and conspicuous service to GMC. This person is a model of integrity and stature and has demonstrated a continuing devotion to GMC and the values of the institution.
Janet Ferguson
Janet Ferguson and her late husband Dr. John H. Ferguson’s contributions to Georgia Military College have made a true and lasting impact in the day-to-day lives of our students. Janet is marked by her true devotion to GMC not only in service but financially as well. When Janet and Dr. Ferguson returned to Milledgeville to open his dental practice, they both immediately immersed themselves in the GMC community. GMC Prep School and Junior College students greatly benefit from the Ferguson Health Services Center in Usery Hall, the Ferguson Multi-Use Basketball Court in the Kidd Center, and the Ferguson Upper Lobby in the new Prep School Annex.
Janet has lived most of her life in Milledgeville. She was born on April 15, 1944, and was a student at Peabody School before attending Baldwin High School. Following high school graduation, she began her studies at the Women’s College of Georgia (now GCSU), where she received an Associate degree in business in 1964.
Janet married her high school sweetheart, Dr. John Hopkins Ferguson in 1963. He attended GMC beginning in eighth grade through GMC Junior College. Janet’s family has a strong connection to GMC. Her father-in-law, J. Luther Ferguson, was once dean and physics professor at Georgia Military College. In addition to her husband, Janet’s daughter, brother, brother-in-law, and many cousins all attended GMC.
Janet worked at the Citizens and Southern National Bank in corporate accounts. She then joined her husband’s dental practice and worked there until he retired in 2010.
She and John share one daughter, Emily Daphne Ferguson May (GMC HS 1984) who lives in Milledgeville with her husband Steve May. Janet is a proud grandmother to Ellen Daphne Sullivan of Denver, Colorado, and Merritt Wesley Wall of Roswell, Georgia. She also has two great-grandchildren, Lily Lynn Wall and Jesse Hopkins Wall.
In addition to her involvement at Georgia Military College, First Baptist Church of Milledgeville has always been a big part of Janet’s life. While she no longer sings in the choir, she loves teaching the young children at her church and has been active in many different committees.
While she has given regularly to GMC since 1963, Janet and her daughter Emily recently decided to endow a scholarship in Dr. Ferguson’s memory to bless the lives of other GMC Prep School families. She noted how it is such a joy to help others through this scholarship, knowing that their financial assistance could be a game changer for these students and their families.
It is this passion for giving back that sets Janet Ferguson apart. She does not give out of obligation, but out of joy in helping students and the institution that has impacted her family’s life so much.
