MHU Legacies

MHU Legacies

Four Faithful Friends of MHU Pass from the Scene

Ferguson, Helvey, Nash, Pittman. For anyone associated with Mars Hill University, their names may sound familiar. Whether you knew them in life or not, they have impacted you and the institution you call home.

Dr. Jack Ferguson

by Teresa Buckner, Director of Publications

Some people have the goal to make a million nature, even in the leaner years of their lives dollars in their lives. Jack Ferguson’s goal was to together. From buying things he didn’t need to help give away a million dollars. out the seller, to making numerous small loans to By the time he passed away in May of this year, he friends, Jack Ferguson made helping out people in had done that many times over. times of need a way of life. Mars Hill University was one of the primary “He was always very much a gentleman,” Carolyn recipients of the generosity of Jack Ferguson and said. “He was a very outgoing person; never met his wife Carolyn. Faculty, staff, a stranger. Since he worked in students, and alumni of MHU sales all his life, he had to be experience that generosity any that way. And he wanted to help time they attend class, have a people whenever he could.” meeting, or go to a homecoming Jack Ferguson was born in event at Ferguson Math and Clyde, N.C., and lived much Science Center or Ferguson of his childhood during the Health Sciences Center. Less Great Depression. According to visible is the nursing scholarship Carolyn, he always remembered the Fergusons established at the insecurity of having to save MHU, or their contributions to up ration stamps to buy the upgrades to the Ammons Field basic necessities of life. Those House, or to Henderson Field, or the time and leadership Jack and Carolyn Ferguson memories made him want to contribute to a better life for his they have donated, she as a children, his grandchildren, and trustee (multiple terms) and he as a member of the his community. Foundation Board and the university’s Investment After his service in the Korean War, Jack attended committee. Blanton’s Business School (now South College), and For their many contributions to MHU and to he went to work for Lowe’s Home Improvement. He the region, in 2004, MHU named the Fergusons and Carolyn married, and raised cattle, tobacco, Philanthropists of the Year and in 2006, the and sometimes produce, as well as four children: university awarded them with doctorates of two boys and two girls. humane letters. They were also awarded with the He became a manager at Lowes, and over time, he Order of the Long Leaf Pine by the state of N.C. in managed various stores in western North Carolina. 2002. Through an employee payroll deduction program, According to Carolyn Ferguson, generosity and the Fergusons began buying stock in the growing kindness were always part of Jack Ferguson’s company, a little at a time.

“It wasn’t very much at a time, but over the years, it amounted to quite a bit,” Carolyn said. As their children grew up, Jack continued working at Lowes and Carolyn oversaw the farming. Their hard work and patience, together with a knack for investing in land and stocks, eventually led the Fergusons to the place where they could invest in their wider community. According to Carolyn, the Fergusons’ giving has been strategically directed at supporting the work of Baptist missions, and at serving the people and communities of western North Carolina. In addition to their generosity to Mars Hill University, the couple has donated generously to AshevilleBuncombe Technical Community College, Mission Hospitals Cancer Center, North Carolina Baptist Children’s Homes, the medical ministry of AshevilleBuncombe Community Christian Ministry, the EnkaCandler YMCA, Enka High School, and the ministries of Hominy Baptist Church in Candler. Their family also evaluates and funds smaller projects through the Ferguson Family Foundation. Their giving criteria drew them to MHU several years ago, where they met and became friends with President Emeritus and former First Lady Dan and Beverly Lunsford. According to Dr. Lunsford, the Fergusons have been faithful stewards of their financial blessings. But in a larger sense, they are the kind of people who live the values of Mars Hill University every day. “First and foremost, Jack and Carolyn Ferguson have been true philanthropic partners with MHU for lifting up the institution and its students. They made decisions together on how they would invest their resources to impact the lives of MHU “Brenda went to the library to study and Tom went there to study Brenda.” At least that is how former Mars Hill President Fred Bentley told the story of how Brenda Grass ‘66 and Thomas Nash, Jr. ’66 first encountered one another as students at Mars Hill College. Upon first seeing Brenda, Tom told his roommates, “I have met my future wife today.” And students, and other people within their community. Jack, especially, had a heart for helping others, while being practical at the same time in order to maximize the impact of the gift. He didn’t just want to give money; he wanted to make a gift that would impact lives forever and make them better for the long run.” On a personal level, Lunsford said he always treasured the relationship he enjoyed with the Fergusons. “I always felt they were just fine Christian people, and I have the greatest respect and honor for the impact they have had in the areas of education, medical care, recreation, and the ministries of their church, to mention a few.” Jack Ferguson’s wealth, though, never made him forget his roots, according to Jimmy Knight, Director of the MHU Cothran Center for Career Readiness. Knight got to know Jack Ferguson through a previous position in the MHU advancement department. “The thing I enjoyed most about getting to know Mr. Ferguson was how he enjoyed people. He liked being around folks, and he always greeted people with sincere happiness to see them. I was always struck by how genuine he was, all the time. There was never any pretense in the man,” Knight said. “When I had the opportunity to spend time with him in connection to numerous campus-oriented events, I really enjoyed hearing stories of his early career in the 50s and 60s. He also talked about his family a lot; particularly about Carolyn and his admiration of her. It was obvious he never lost touch with his roots; with the history of the area,

Thomas Edward Nash, Jr.

and his origins in this community.”

by Bud Christman, V.P. for Advancement thus began a courtship that resulted in a wedding and ultimately led to a loving life partnership that spanned 56 years. Tom Nash, who passed away in June after a courageous journey home, embodied the spirit and values of Mars Hill: love of family, service to the community, support of his alma mater, and an

MHU Legacies

Thomas Nash, continued...

abiding awareness of God’s presence in his life. His the Brenda G. Nash Education Hall. Through the four children (Beth, Catherine, Thomas III, and years, the Nashes’ commitment to their alma mater Rachel), twelve grandchildren, and great-grandson has been evidenced by many other sacrificial revered and respected him. He was a presence gifts to an array of Mars Hill University initiatives in his family’s life, whether he was attending ranging from program development (the Master ballgames, serving on the board of his children’s of Education program), to Lions athletics, to schools, providing spiritual direction, or simply endowed scholarships through the Mars Hill planning annual vacations. Fund, and most recently the reconditioning With Brenda by his side, his work ethic, intelligence, and business acumen enabled his career with The Coca-Cola Company to spiral upward. He ultimately ascended to the position of CEO and owner of Coca-Cola Affiliated in Asheville and built the and restoration of Huffman Hall, where Brenda resided in her sophomore year. In recognition of their longstanding benevolence, the Nashes were recognized as Mars Hill University’s Philanthropists of the Year in 2014. business into the 15th largest privately held Coca- But Tom Nash was as generous to Mars Hill with his Cola Bottling Company in the U.S. Upon the sale time and talent as he was with his finances. In 1995 of Coca-Cola Affiliated, Tom and he was appointed to the Board of fellow Mars Hill alumnus George Trustees, thereby becoming the Renfro ’75, created Nash-Renfro first “non-Baptist” to hold such a Investments and developed position. As a trustee, he quickly the Asheville Jet Center (now gained a fuller understanding of Signature Flight Support). the opportunities available to As Tom’s career broadened, so did his influence and footprint within the Asheville area. His commitment to the betterment of western North Carolina was indeed legendary. He served on the leadership boards for St. Joseph’s Hospital, The Salvation Army, Carolina Day School, and Wachovia Bank, and provided extensive counsel to the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Tom helped to establish and financially support many organizations including Asheville Christian Academy, Mission Heart Tower, Mission Cancer Center, Mission Children’s Hospital Outpatient Building, Calvary Episcopal Church, and Central the school. One such prospect was in the area of endowment management, which had been overseen internally by MHU. He recommended the creation of a Foundation Board (now the MHU Investment Committee) comprised of trustees and other professionals with investment backgrounds. With Tom serving as the board’s first chair, the Mars Hill endowment became more widely diversified and grew considerably under professional management. Now, some 23 years later, the investment committee is still vital and the Mars Hill endowment program is on firm footing thanks to the vision and wisdom of Tom Nash. Brenda and Tom Nash United Methodist Church. Nationally, he was Family man, business man, community leader, deeply involved in helping the Juvenile Diabetes esteemed and supportive alumnus. Tom Nash was Research Foundation’s quest to find a cure for Type all of those things and more. But most importantly, I diabetes. he was a man of God who answered the call of his And then there was Mars Hill. Tom and Brenda did not forget their meeting place. In 2004, following a transformational gift made years earlier, the former Memorial Library was renovated and renamed maker, and lived out the scripture, “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you,” (Deuteronomy 16:17).