In honor of North Central Missouri College’s centennial, NCMC will spotlight 100 inspiring stories throughout the academic year. These narratives will showcase the voices and journeys of our alumni, students, faculty, staff, donors, and the communities that have shaped TJC/NCMC’s legacy. Each story is a tribute to the people throughout history who make NCMC extraordinary.
Jordan Ferguson
Associate in Arts
2005
I was like most kids from Trenton, I wanted to get away after high school, go to college somewhere else. However, the draw to North Central Missouri College was too strong, primarily because of the A+ program. Attending NCMC ended up being one of the best decisions to that point in my life. Staying local for my first few years of college allowed me to live at home, mature, and save some money on living expenses, in addition to the money I was already saving through A+. I also received some local scholarship funds, so I actually made money going to NCMC. I graduated from NCMC with my associate of arts degree and moved on to the University of Missouri, where I completed my bachelor’s degree.
Following graduation from Mizzou, I married my high-school sweetheart, Christina (Woodard) Ferguson, and we moved to the little town of Ashland, Missouri, while we both worked in Jefferson City. We worked there for around a year when opportunities for both of us brought us back to our hometown. Christina became the dietitian at Wright Memorial Hospital, and I came back as the director of the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce. Christina is still the dietitian at Wright Memorial Hospital, and in 2011, I took a job with Saint Luke’s Health System, of which Wright Memorial Hospital is a part of. I continue to work for Saint Luke’s as a senior marketing strategist covering Wright Memorial Hospital, Hedrick Medical Center in Chillicothe, and multiple service lines and programs across Saint Luke’s.
It’s now been 20 years since I graduated from NCMC. A lot has changed in those 20 years. My wife and I have three wonderful children, two girls and one boy, 12, 8, and 3 years old. One thing that has stayed the same during those 20 years in the commitment NCMC has to our community and the commitment to providing high-quality, affordable education for students in the region. The A+ program continues to be one of the greatest support systems for students in the state to continue education after high school, and I can only hope the program remains in place when my children graduate high school. Thank you to NCMC for remaining a pillar of the community for 100 years. I can’t wait to see what NCMC does in the next 100 years. Congrats on the milestone!
The centennial celebration will continue throughout the academic year, and NCMC invites alumni, students, faculty, staff, and our communities to be part of the story. We would love to hear your story about Trenton Junior College/North Central Missouri College. Visit the Centennial Website to submit your own story, memory, or reflection. Whether you walked the halls decades ago or are just beginning your journey, your story is a vital thread in the college’s tapestry, and we want to hear it.
Visit the Centennial Website to explore Trenton Junior College/North Central Missouri College stories, rich history, and discover upcoming events.