Ferguson Fellows

Supporting Chicago Lights Tutoring students’ high school education

About the Program | The Newest Class of Ferguson Fellows
Continuing Fellows | For More Information


Dana Ferguson Myers joined the staff of Fourth Church as Associate Pastor for Mission in 1998. Even after being named Executive Associate Pastor in 2005, she remained deeply committed to the outreach of this congregation, particularly Chicago Lights Tutoring.

In October 2008, Dana passed away at the age of forty-two, but her passion and spirit continue to live on throughout Fourth Church and Chicago Lights Tutoring. It is in that spirit that her colleagues and friends created the Dana Ferguson Myers Memorial Education Fund in 2009 to support educational endeavors of Chicago Lights Tutoring students attending public high schools.

Funded by gifts received in Dana’s memory, this fellowship program provides funds and other educational tools to encourage successful completion of ninth grade, which has been shown to be a critical factor in predicting high school graduation.

Ferguson Fellows students receive

Congratulations to the 2013–2014 Ferguson Fellows!

Jalen Dixon (Lakeview High School) participates in band, football, and Beta Club (Phi Beta Sigma fraternity) and takes piano lessons. In applying for the fellowship, he said, “Education is important because it is the foundation that will lead you to having a successful career. You can never learn too much . . .” Jalen’s goal is to pursue a career in music.

Talia Harris (Lincoln Park High School) was the salutatorian of her eighth-grade class and continues to work hard in school because education “means everything” to her. She is involved in volleyball, basketball, pom pom, and drama and enjoys cake decorating and dance. Talia plans to become a pediatrician through “hard work, determination, patience, and intelligence.”

Darius Matache (Lincoln Park High School) has been involved with the Tutoring program for five years. He enjoys soccer and participating in Youth Leadership Initiatives through his church. While he is unsure about his future career, he said he has “a few years to think about it” and wants to “make the most” out of his time in high school.

Continuing Fellows from Previous Classes

For more information about the Ferguson Fellows program or the Dana Ferguson Myers Memorial Education Fund, contact Katy Frey Bever at 312.981.3380.

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