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College of Business & Technology
2012 Ferguson Lecturer
U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood
April 30th @ 2pm, University Union Grand Ballroom
"Investing in an America Built to Last"
President Barack Obama appointed LaHood as transportation secretary in January 2009. As transportation secretary, LaHood directs 55,000 employees and a $70 million budget for air, maritime and surface transportation missions. From 1995-2009, LaHood served in the U.S. House of Representatives – 18th District where he served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and House Appropriations Committee. Before LaHood’s election to the U.S. House, he served as chief of staff to 18th District U.S. Congressman Robert Michel and as district administrative assistant to Congressman Thomas Railsback. He also served in the Illinois State Legislature.
LaHood received his undergraduate degree from Bradley University in Peoria (IL), and was a junior high school teacher in his early career. He was also director of the Rock Island County Youth Services Bureau and Chief planner for the Bi-States Metropolitan Planning Commission in Illinois.
Contact Information
Schuyler Isley, Director of Communications and Ext Relations
Phone: (309) 298-2442
Email: SL-Isley@wiu.edu
Robert and Mary Ferguson
Lecture Series
The series was developed through the generosity of the late Dr. Robert Ferguson and his wife, Mary. Dr. Ferguson passed away in December of 1991. His 40-years of commitment to Western Illinois University and the College of Business and Technology live on through the Robert and Mary Ferguson Lecture Series. Dr. Robert Ferguson received his bachelor’s degree in business education from Western in 1943. After serving in the United State Army from 1944-46, Bob returned to Western and completed his master of science degree in 1948. He later taught for two years at Brooklyn College while completing his doctorate at New York University and returned to WIU where he retired in 1986. Bob held faculty ranks from instructor to professor and was business education chair for 20 years. He played a key role in guiding the Department of Business Education through many changes that led to his longtime goal of the establishment of the College of Business in 1966. He served as interim dean of the College of Business prior to the appointment of the late Howard C. Nudd as dean. Throughout his teaching career, Dr. Ferguson firmly believed that our students benefit from the depth and breadth of experience, especially by seeing and hearing from key business leaders who are illustrations of success.
Past Speakers, 2000 - 2009
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2009: Richard Longworth, Author
Caught in the Middle: America’s Heartland in the Age of Globalization - 2005: Troy Rice, Division President Northern - The Home Depot
- 2003: Glen Barton, Chairman and CEO - Caterpillar, Inc.
- 2002: Lawrence Gill, Attorney/Certified Public Accountant - Schiff Hardin & Waite
- 2001: Mary Lou Quinlan, Founder - Just Ask A Woman
- 2000: Richard E. Rominger, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture - United States Department of Agriculture
Past Speakers, 1990 - 1999
- 1999: Michael J. Litwin, Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer - Heller Financial, Inc.
- 1998: Edward J. McManus, Chief Operating Officer of Procurement and Logistics - American Stores Company
- 1997: Robert L. Nardelli, President and Chief Executive Officer - GE Power Systems
- 1996: Emma Chappell, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - The United Bank of Philadelphia
- 1995: Joe Cowans, Information Consultant - TCI
- 1995: Lynn Martin, Labor Secretary - Bush Administration
- 1994: William Weiss, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - Ameritech
- 1993: John W. Bachmann, Managing Principal - Edward Jones & Company
- 1992: Howard Putnam, Chief Executive Officer - Southwest Airlines
- 1991: William Alexander Hewitt, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - Deere and Company
- 1990: James C. Miller III, Director of Budget and Cabinet Member - Reagan Administration
