The Indiana Acacia Building Corporation board members (IABC) – and all of Indiana Acacia – are thrilled honor four generations of dedication and service to Acacia Fraternity by the Ferguson family.
That is four generations dating back to May 22, 1920 when Luther Short Ferguson was initiated as a founding member – a founding father – into the Indiana Chapter of Acacia Fraternity. Luther’s roll number was #3. The family spans 2,103 more initiates to John E. Seeber, Jr. with roll number #2106.
Brother Luther Ferguson and his wife, Arline Ferguson, had two sons, Jim and Stephen, and a daughter, Mary Ann. Jim was the second generation, the 464thinitiate of Indiana on March 23, 1947. Jim’s son, Dave Ferguson, and Jim’s sister Mary Ann’s son, John Seeber, both here today, are the third generation. Dave became a brother in 1974 and John followed one year later.
John Seeber, Jr., roll number 2106 and initiated in February 2004, is the fourth generation.
It would take too long to name all of the awards and honors bestowed upon this group. Jim, Dave, and John all have the Order of Pythagoras. Jim and Dave are Award of Merit recipients. Jim received the highest honor Acacia Fraternity bestows upon anyone with the George Patterson, Jr. Award.
Jim was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Governor Otis Bowen. His brother, Steve, is also a Sagamore of the Wabash.
For large chunks of time throughout its history, Indiana Acacia – the organization – has been a kind of one-man show, and for many years back in the day, Jim Ferguson was that one man. Dave then stepped into the role of heading up the building corporation for a time in the 1980s, joined on the board by his cousin, John.
Dave is currently a highly valued member of the board of the Acacia Fraternity Foundation.
The positions and titles and awards are great, of course. And they extend deep into the Bloomington community, IU, and the State of Indiana. But throughout these 102 years, the Indiana Chapter has been blessed with the ongoing involvement, stewardship, wisdom, and financial support of Luther, Jim, Dave, John, and John Jr.
What few names are highlighted in our great fraternity house represent brothers who have given their service to the fraternity in genuinely exceptional ways and over many years. Commensurate with the David J. Allen Formal, the Arthur D. Lautzenheiser Library, and the Christ Drossos, Jr. Room in the basement, we are proud to dedicate the entire house, 702 E Third Street, as The Ferguson Chapter House.
Dave, John, and John, thank you so much to each of you and the Ferguson family for all that you have done and for helping to maintain the ties that bind.
The naming will be recognized later with cast plaques at the front and rear entrances.
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