Learner Stories: Butch Ferguson

Account Manager, Caterpillar, Inc.

For Butch Ferguson, completing a four-year degree is more than a goal. It is his way to resolve a piece of unfinished business. "I left college in 1983 with more than 140 credits, but no degree," he said. "So choosing to go back to school was a very personal thing for me."

As an account manager for Caterpillar, Inc., Ferguson was doing well. But when he learned the company offered tuition reimbursement to complete his bachelor's degree, he immediately looked into online learning options. When he discovered that Capella University offered a marketing specialization in the School of Undergraduate Studies — that was directly applicable to his job, it became his top choice. "At Capella, it seemed like every class offered something of value that I could use."

Ferguson's learning experience has been one of give and take. When he played a leading role in coordinating a training program for Caterpillar he contributed his experience to a Capella course for a case study in human resources management. On the flip side, he is frequently amazed at how much has been able to take from the course room to his workplace.

"It's exciting to develop that kind of knowledge," he said. "It sparks creativity that helps me go back and question and improve some of our strategies and day-to-day practices."

As part of Caterpillar's education network, Ferguson is identified as a peer resource for employees with questions about Capella University and its programs. When he has those conversations, he suggests that co-workers take a close look at the emphasis of the degree specialization.

"Some online universities are very interested in how many hours a week you spend online. At Capella, the most important thing is to keep up with your coursework and make substantial contributions to class discussions — it's key to success."