Coker University is proud to celebrate one of its own! Matthew Ferguson, a Coker graduate and Hartsville native, has been named the new superintendent of the Darlington County School District.

Ferguson’s journey started earlier than most — he graduated from high school at just 16 years old and chose to attend Coker to stay close to his hometown community. Thanks to Coker’s small class sizes, dedicated professors, and personalized support, he found an environment where he could thrive.

“The one-on-one attention I received at Coker made all the difference,” Ferguson shared. “It gave me the foundation I needed to build confidence, think critically, and take on every challenge that came my way.”

After earning his degree at Coker, Ferguson continued his education with graduate studies at top institutions like the University of South Carolina and Clemson University. Along the way, he earned a prestigious Fulbright scholarship — an achievement he credits largely to the skills and preparation he received at Coker.

Throughout his career, Ferguson has stayed closely connected to the Hartsville community. As the former Director of Human Resources for the Darlington County School District, he often turned to Coker to recruit talented teachers and staff. He also worked closely with the University on programs like the APEC course for teacher certification.

Even though his current role doesn’t bring him to campus as often, Ferguson says the lessons and values he learned at Coker are still part of who he is today.

“Coker gave me the tools to grow — not just academically, but personally,” he said. “It taught me how to communicate, how to lead, and how to stay connected to the community I care about.”

Ferguson’s strong roots in Hartsville and his passion for education make him an outstanding choice to lead Darlington County’s schools into the future. Coker University is honored to celebrate this milestone with him and looks forward to seeing the incredible impact he will continue to make.