By Chris McCarthy/Editor
Daryl Ferguson has left his mark at his alma mater.
Literally.
The 2008 Gaston High grad recently donated $15,000 for the renovation of the GHS gymnasium floor, allowing the school’s basketball teams some solid footing for years to come.
As a sign of appreciation, a section of the new floor bears an oversized version of Ferguson’s signature.
During a conversation last year with GHS boys head basketball coach Buddy Wright, Ferguson asked if there was anything he could do for the school. Wright told him that the school had some grant money to re-do the gym floor but required more funds. Ferguson then provided the school with a five-year financial commitment for the project.
“I talked things over with Coach Wright and Coach [Tonya] Bogle and [GHS principal] Dr. King-Garner, and things really took off from there,” said Ferguson, who currently is employed as an electrical engineer with Chevron in Dallas. “I really feel like I found myself at Gaston. I really feel that the faculty and coaches and Dr. King-Garner and teachers like Mrs. Gladden and Mrs. McCormack invested in me, so I feel like I’ll always be indebted to Gaston. I feel that if God has blessed you, it’s your responsibility to reach back and help others.”
At Gaston, Ferguson lettered in football, served as senior class president and was class salutatorian. He also represented Gaston High at the 2007 American Legion’s Boys State Convention and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts.
“I’ve known Daryl for years, and we kept a good relationship with each other,” said GHS boys head basketball coach Buddy Wright. “I coached him in football, and he’s always had a good head on his shoulders. He’s been successful, but he’s always been ready to give back. I’m very proud of Daryl and I think the world of him. Watching him grow up and coaching him, you knew that he was headed in the right direction. Daryl’s the type of guy that when he sets his sights on something, he’s going to achieve his goals.”
While attending Alabama A&M in Huntsville on an academic scholarship, Ferguson made the Dean’s List, Honor Roll and was a President’s Cup recipient. In 2011, his peers voted Ferguson as the campus’ Most Outstanding Male Student. After graduating summa cum laude in December of 2012, Ferguson co-founded the Ferguson & Son Scholarship Fund.
“We wouldn’t have been able to do this without Daryl’s help,” said GHS girls head basketball coach Tonya Bogle. “The money just wasn’t there for us, so we’re very thankful to Daryl. Coming up through school here, he was a great student and a great person. I know his parents are proud.”