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Womyn's Resource Center at UC Dedicated in Memory of Founder

Della Ferguson's Memory to Live on in Center Empowering Women

Written By Victoria Cruz-Griffith '12, PR Intern

Contact - cleogrande@utica.edu

Utica, NY (09/29/2011) - The Womyn's Resource Center (WRC) at Utica College will be renamed Monday, Oct. 3. The center will honor the memory of its founder, K. Della Ferguson, who passed away Oct. 24, 2010 after a year-long battle with cancer.

Ferguson came to Utica College in 1978 as an assistant professor of psychology; two years later she founded the WRC. A tireless advocate for the rights of women and the elderly, she once traveled to Beijing to participate in a women's rights convention. In 1996, Ferguson was awarded the center's Mentor of the Year award. Prior to her retirement, Ferguson served as the dean of Health Professions and Education. Upon her retirement in 2010, the board of trustees awarded her emerita status.

Alane Varga, advisor and co-founder of the WRC and dean of students, said that renaming the center is a fitting tribute to Ferguson, who had a great influence on everyone around her. An online memory book at utica.edu/della is full of students, childhood and lifetime friends speaking of the impact that she made on the lives of others.

“Della was one of three co-founders of the Womyn's Resource Center 21 years ago,” Varga said. “Losing her was like losing a piece of our herstory/history.”

The WRC functions in conjunction with the Womyn’s Activist Association. Its recognized goal is the empowerment of all women through education, mutual support and growth. The center is staffed by students and provides reading resources, referrals, networking opportunities and programs concerning women’s issues. It addresses the wide range of issues of race, age, religion, abilities and lifestyles that women confront on a daily basis.

There will be a tree dedication ceremony at 3:30 p.m. in front of the Frank E. Gannett Memorial Library, followed by an open house and dedication ceremony of the center at 4 p.m. The WRC is located on the ground floor of Hubbard Hall in B12 and B14. Refreshments will be served.

An online memory book at www.utica.edu/della is full of memories as students, childhood and lifetime friends speak of the impact that she made on the lives of others.