Staff Profiles

More than 100 staff members work in the Division of the Humanities. We’ll introduce you to our staff in this continuing series.

Brent Fergusson
Manager, Academic Records and Systems
Office of the Dean of Students

What do you like most about your job?
The people I’m working with. The Humanities DOS office is fantastic, and I got a warm reception from various department administrators. When I sent out an email introducing myself and talking about my background, I got many emails back with photos of pets and board game recommendations. Admittedly, I solicited those emails, but still, I wasn’t expecting people to take me up on it.

What was the last good book you read?
I’m finishing up The Guns of August by Barbara W. Tuchman, which I last read when I was in high school, and I’ve really enjoyed it. During the last few years, most of my reading has been much more deeply escapist  and largely in the sci-fi world. I discovered Anne Leckie and voraciously read all of her books, starting with Ancillary Justice.  Then I found Liu Cixin’s Three-Body Problem and read that trilogy. I also revisited two of my favorite series, the Masters of Rome by Colleen McCullough and the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O’Brian. The thought of sailing around the South Pacific sustained me through another long COVID winter.

You might work with me if …
…you do anything related to convocation, student milestones, student employment, or reimbursement, among other things. And if you are trying to figure something out, feel free to reach out and I can try to help.

More than 100 staff members work in the Division of the Humanities. We’ll introduce you to our staff in this continuing series.

What do you like most about your job?

I love being able to help those in need of financially related information. Another one of my true passions lies within customer service. I enjoy helping faculty and staff solve issues and making someone’s day when presented the opportunity. My position seamlessly combines the two, so it is a pleasure to assist those in the Division every day.

What was the last good book you read?

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle. So many of us find ourselves stuck in the past or future instead of simply just enjoying the moment and living in the now. This book helps readers to become more aware of the present instead of losing themselves in worry and anxiety about the past or future. Another classic I try to read once a year is Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I enjoy the aspects of financial freedom it presents. One of my favorite quotes from the book is “The starting point of all achievement is desire.” If you want something badly enough, you will most certainly get it.

You might work with me if …

… you have questions on creating ePayments, GEMS reports, BuySite requests, and check and wire deposits as well as certain grant tasks.

What’s one thing you’re learning now, and why is it important? 

To never give yourself limits. What you think may be the ceiling of your life can turn out to be the floor. With enough discipline and hard work not even the sky is the limit!