EAST LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan State University said former Board of Trustee member Joel Ferguson died on Saturday. He was 85.

Voters elected Ferguson to the Michigan State Board of Trustees in 1986 and was re-elected three times. He helped cofound F & S Development Company and developed 14 multi-family residential complexes throughout Michigan. Ferguson, an MSU 1965 alum, co-founded Lansing television stations WFSL-TV and WLAJ-TV.

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Michigan State University released a statement after Ferguson’s passing:

“On behalf of Michigan State University, we extend our deepest condolences to the family of former Board of Trustees Chair Joel Ferguson. Joel was a champion for our beloved university, serving on the Board for more than 30 years. He advocated for improved access for minority students, worked collectively with those he didn’t always agree with personally to advance projects and the university forward, and was a strong supporter of MSU Athletics. Beyond MSU, he was a civil rights leader, successful businessman and community leader and a strong proponent for the Lansing area. His legacy will be strong and everlasting on our Spartan community.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer offered her condolences as well. “[Ferguson] made Michigan a better place, and I was proud to call him a longtime family friend. My thoughts are with his family and all those who were lucky enough to know him, work alongside him, and learn from him.”