Dave Ferguson, associate vice president of University Relations, has left Ohio State University to become the associate vice chancellor for public relations at the State University of New York.SUNY consists of 64 colleges and universities. Ferguson will be responsible for public relations, marketing and communications for SUNY. He will be based in Albany, N.Y., and will also have an office in Manhattan.Ferguson left his position at OSU on Jan. 12, taking with him a decade of Buckeye memories. “Ohio State has been a tremendous experience for me and I leave with many memories of good times and many wonderful friends,” Ferguson said.One of Ferguson’s fondest memories of OSU was his involvement with the “Affirm Thy Friendship” campaign that raised over $1 billion for the university. “It was a wonderful celebration of all that is good about Ohio State,” Ferguson said. He created the slogan “Affirm Thy Friendship” based on OSU’s alma mater “Carmen Ohio.” “Space Week” was another highlight of Ferguson’s career at OSU. Space Week was designed to celebrate John Glenn’s return to space. Nine days of events celebrated OSU’s commitment to space-related research.Ferguson became associate vice president of University Relations in July 1999, when Lee Tashjian joined OSU as vice president of University Relations. Ferguson supervised the activities of more than 45 staff members at University Relations and assisted with OSU’s public relations, marketing and communications.Before his position of associate vice president of University Relations, Ferguson was executive assistant to the senior vice president and provost under Richard Sisson and Edward J. Ray. He implemented strategies for the Office of Academic Affairs and was also the director of Development Communications and associate to the dean of the College of Engineering.”He has been a joy to have as a colleague… very hardworking, highly professional, always upbeat, even in dealing with difficult issues,” said OSU President William “Brit” Kirwan.He obtained a bachelor’s degree in English from Seton Hall University, and a master’s degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Ferguson also attended Harvard University for the Management Development Program.Ferguson came to Ohio from Connecticut after 11 years as a reporter and editor at various Connecticut newspapers. He joined the Columbus Dispatch as an editorial writer. He was then named editorial page editor and managing editor.Tashjian said he is currently assessing the needs of the department, and will go forward from there.”I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the Ohio State family. I will always be a Buckeye,” Ferguson concluded.