Ferguson announced as sponsor of the Class of 2024, to provide annual college scholarships.

Newport News, VA – An Achievable Dream (AAD) announced Ferguson as the sponsor of the Class of 2024 during AAD’s 31st Annual Tennis Ball on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Christopher Newport University. 

Guests gathered to celebrate 31 years of dreams and nearly 1,000 graduates from the innovative education program. As a class sponsor, Ferguson has committed to providing annual merit scholarships for each member of the class for each year they attend college and maintain a certain grade point average. Ferguson previously sponsored the Class of 2008 and served as co-sponsors of the Class of 2016 with Charlie and Mari Ann Banks, and the Class of 2017 with the Fass Family. The graduates of the Class of 2024, who were honored at the event, will be known as the Ferguson Scholars. 

Of Ferguson’s sponsorship of the Class of 2024, Dr. Lee Vreeland, president and CEO of An Achievable Dream, shared, “Ferguson has been a dedicated and extraordinary supporter of An Achievable Dream since our founding. Their support and collaboration are true examples of community partnership, and our students experience the impact of this support on a daily basis. This class sponsorship exemplifies their commitment to and belief in our students. We are honored that Ferguson has chosen to sponsor the Class of 2024.” 

Class sponsorship of An Achievable Dream graduates is a concept dating from 1992 when the late Walter Segaloff, AAD founder, and local businessman, garnered support from the Newport News business community to fund scholarships. Each year since 2001, businesses and individuals have stepped forward to serve as class sponsors, ensuring that finances are not a limitation for AAD graduates attending college. On average, 90-95% of An Achievable Dream graduates have continued to a two or four-year college or trade school, while 5-10% have joined the military or entered the workforce. 

“Ferguson is proud to be a longstanding supporter of An Achievable Dream since its founding, and we are continually inspired by the profound impact the school has made on students in our local community,” said Kevin Murphy, Ferguson CEO. “Investing in education is an investment in the limitless possibilities that every student holds, and AAD continues to change lives by creating a pathway to success for Dreamers in both school and life. We are excited to sponsor the Class of 2024 and look forward to all the great things they will accomplish.”

Walter Segaloff, who passed away in 2013, founded An Achievable Dream on the belief that, “given the right tools and opportunity, all students can succeed.” Segaloff’s vision has helped level the playing field for thousands of students since the program’s inception in 1992. The organization pays tribute to Walter Segaloff’s vision and memory as they celebrate 30 years of dreams. 

Previous class sponsors are: the Frank and Marie Blechman Foundation (2001); Mary Hughes, owner, Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson (2002, 2012); Michelle Jacobs, former president of the Lee Group (2003); Chesapeake Bay Seafood House Restaurants, in honor of Alan and Beverly Diamonstein (2004); Caleb and Virginia West and Dollar Tree Stores (2005); Smithfield Foods (2006, 2015); W.M. Jordan Company (2007); Ferguson Enterprises (2008); NC and Linda Hardee (2009, 2010, and 2022); Bay Electric Company and the Biagas Family (2011); Aubrey and Peggy Layne (2013); Mike and Nancy Petters (2014); Charles and Mari Ann Banks and Ferguson Enterprises (2016); Ferguson Enterprises and the Fass Family (2017); the Levin and Friedberg Families (2018); and Charles and Mari Ann Banks (2019); Executive Leadership Team of Newport News Shipbuilding (2020); PBMares, LLP, in honor of Alan. S. Witt (2021), Riverside Health System and Downey Family (2022). 

About An Achievable Dream: 

An Achievable Dream (AAD) develops independent, productive citizens through a Social, Academic, and Moral Education (SAME®) curriculum. Dedicated to the belief that all children can learn and succeed, AAD operates schools in partnership with Newport News Public Schools, Virginia Beach City Public Schools, and AAD Certified Academy in Henrico County near Richmond, Virginia. For more information, please visit achievabledream.org 

About Ferguson: 

Ferguson plc (NYSE: FERG; LSE: FERG) is a leading value-added distributor in North America, providing expertise, solutions and products from infrastructure, plumbing and appliances to HVAC, fire, fabrication and more. We exist to make our customers’ complex projects simple, successful and sustainable. Ferguson is headquartered in the U.K., with its operations and associates solely focused on North America and managed from Newport News, Virginia. For more information, please visit corporate.ferguson.com or follow us on Linkedln linkedin.com/company/ferguson-enterprises. 

An Achievable Dream senior, Aryiss Sikes, speaking at An Achievable Dream’s 31st Annual Tennis Ball on November 11th.

An Achievable Dream Class of 2024

The Ferguson Scholars