Frances D. Fergusson
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Frances Daly Fergusson has served as president of Vassar College since 1986. A graduate of Wellesley College, Ferusson earned a master's degree and Ph.D. in art history at Harvard University before starting her teaching career at Newton College. In 1975 Fergusson moved on to teach at University of Massachusetts at Boston, where she later became an assistant chancellor. She continued her career in academic administration at Bucknell University, where Fergusson served as a provost and vice president. After working at Bucknell from 1982 until 1986, she was hired as Vassar's president.
An avid and effective fund raiser, she has raised more that $200 million for the college. Her administration has overseen extensive renovation of the campus, including refurbishment of the library, creation of a new art center, and construction of a modern performing arts building.
While serving as Vassar's president, Fergusson has also contributed her administrative talents as a member of the Boards of Trustees of the Ford Foundation from (1989-2001) and the Mayo Foundation (1988-2002). She has also served on the boards of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), Harvard University, and the Society of Architectural Historians of the United States.
Among her awards and commendations, Fergusson has been named a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Fergusson has published extensively on the architecture and art history of St. Charles' Church, Vienna.
On February 16, 2005, Fergusson annouced her intention to step down as president of Vassar College at the end of the 2005-2006 academic year, after twenty years as head of the institution.