John Edward Ferguson, Jr - Jon M. Huntsman School of Business

One Bear Place
Baylor University
Waco, TX 76798
John_Ferguson@Baylor.edu
EDUCATION
John Edward Ferguson, Jr.
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313 Canterbury Road
Woodway, TX 76712
325.642.8962
Vanderbilt University Law School, Nashville, TN
Juris Doctor, 2000
Areas of Study: Constitutional Law and International Human Rights.
Vanderbilt University Divinity School, Nashville, TN
Masters of Theological Studies, 2000
Areas of Study: Church-State Relations and Emerging Religious Movements.
Howard Payne University, Brownwood, TX
Bachelor of Arts (honors program), Summa Cum Laude, 1996
Practical Theology, Political Science and Public Policy
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lecturer (2008-present)
Baylor University
Taught American Constitutional Development and International Law in the Political
Science department of the College of Arts and Sciences. Taught Negotiation and Conflict
Resolution and Business Law courses to both graduate and undergraduate students in the
Management and Business Law departments of the Hankamer School of Business.
Taught Business Law and International Business Law for Executive MBAs in the
Graduate Department of the Hankamer School of Business.
First Amendment Consultant
Ferguson Consulting, Waco, TX (2004-present)
Provided expert testimony, training and mediation services in a variety of educational and
community situations. Other engagements include serving as Senior Religious Consultant
for Holt, Rinehart, and Winston’s American Anthem Textbook Series and reviewer for
Enslow Publishing’s Religious Displays, School Prayer, and Freedom of Speech.
Attorney
Private Practice (2000 – 2009)
Provided legal advice and services to clients involving First Amendment issues, as well
as estate planning. Provided assistance and expert advice to attorneys in Tennessee and
Washington, DC.
Assistant Director, Academy of Freedom Interdisciplinary Honors Program
Howard Payne University (2004-2008)

Editor of Texas Journal of Free Enterprise and Public Policy (2004-2007)
Revised and updated the structure of the honors program, mentored honors students, and
prepared and hosted Brand Chair events.
Brand Chair events included:
2007 Brand Chair roundtable, “Jesus Camp.”
2006 Brand Chair Lecture, “Nuclear Options in North Korea,” with Ret. General
Terry Scott.
2004 Brand Chair Conference “Religion in Texas Schools: Three Different
Perspectives.”
Associate Professor of Political Science and Criminal Justice (2004-2008)
Howard Payne University
Headed Pre-Law Program and co-chaired Criminal Justice Program.
Coach of nationally ranked moot court team.
2007 Excellence in Teaching award.
First Amendment Education Coordinator
Freedom Forum First Amendment Center (1997 – 2004)
Mediated First Amendment controversies in school districts.
Developed and managed national First Amendment programs. In 2003, this included 54
workshops to nearly 5,000 educators who serve more than 500,000 students.
Co-chaired projects in California and Utah that provided civic and conflict resolution
training to every public school district in both states.
Provided content and managed production of publications on First Amendment issues,
including books, scholarly articles, and educational manuals.
Provided legal and civic training to school and community groups across the country,
with some audiences as large as 1,500 participants.
Helped coordinate, draft, and judge the Vanderbilt University First Amendment Moot
Court Competition.
UNIVERSITY SERVICE
Baylor University
Advisor, PAD (Pre-law Society) (2010 - Present).
Advisor, Baylor Rock Climbing Team (2009 - Present).
Pre-Law Coordinator (2010 - 2011).
Howard Payne University
Pre-law Academic Advisor, (2004-2008).
Freshman Advisor Program, (2006-2008).
Faculty Search Committee, (2006).
Faculty Advisor, Pre-Law Society, (2004-2008).
Technology Committee, (2005-2008).
Webmaster, Academy of Freedom, (2005-2008).
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TEACHING INTERESTS
Business Law, Negotiation and Conflict Management, International Law and Politics,
Constitutional Theory, American Government, Law and Society, Introduction to Law,
Criminal Law and Procedure, Civil Liberties, Political Parties and Interest Groups, Legal
Issues in the Church, Legal Evidence.
RESEARCH AREAS
First Amendment; Constitutional Law; Church-State Relations; Civil Liberties; Education
Law and Policy; Modern Religious Movements.
SELECT PUBLICATIONS
Ferguson, John E., Jr., Gun Control. Point/Counterpoint series, ed. by Alan Marzilli. (New
York, NY: Chelsea House Publishing. Forthcoming, 2011).
Ferguson, John E., Jr., White-Collar Crime. Point/Counterpoint series, ed. by Alan Marzilli.
(New York, NY: Chelsea House Publishing. In press, Feb. 2010).
Allport, Alan and John E. Ferguson, Jr., Immigration Policy. Point/Counterpoint series,
ed. by Alan Marzilli. (New York, NY: Chelsea House Publishing. 2009).
Ferguson, John E., Jr., “Leland, John,” “Liberty Legal Institute,” “Locke, John,” “Zelman
v. Simmons-Harris,” in The Encyclopedia of the First Amendment, eds. David L. Hudson,
David A. Schultz, and John R. Vile (Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly Press,
2008).
Ferguson, John E., Jr., The Right to Die. Point/Counterpoint series, ed. by Alan Marzilli.
(New York, NY: Chelsea House Publishing. 2007).
Ferguson, John E., Jr., Associate Editor, Finding Common Ground: A First Amendment
Guide to Religion and Public Education. Associate Editor, (Nashville, TN: First
Amendment Center 2007, 2003, 2001, 1998).
Ferguson, John E., Jr. “Public Funds for Religious Schools: The Next Prayer Debate?”
Chapter in Religion and Democracy: Free Exercise and Diverse Visions, ed. by David
O’Dell-Scott. (Kent, OH: Kent State University Press. 2004).
“Locke v. Davey,” “RLUIPA, Religious Buildings and Zoning,” “ Vouchers,” “Tax
Exemptions,” Overviews and research packets, www.Firstamendmentcenter.org.
Haynes, Charles, Sam Chaltain, John E. Ferguson, Jr., David L. Hudson, Jr. and Oliver
Thomas. The First Amendment in Schools. (Nashville, TN: First Amendment Center.
2003).
Ferguson, John E., Jr. and David L. Hudson, Jr. “Freedom to Speak: Teachers’ Religious
Expression Rights.” Liberty, Nov./Dec. 2003.
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Ferguson, John E., Jr. “Release Time Education: 50 Years after Zorach v. Clauson.”
www.Spriritrestoration.org. 2003.
Ferguson, John E., Jr. and David L. Hudson, Jr. “Thou Shalt Not: Public Display of the Ten
Commandments?” Liberty, Sept./Oct. 2002.
Hudson, David L., Jr. and John E. Ferguson, Jr., “The Courts’ Inconsistent Treatment of
Bethel v. Fraser and the Curtailment of Student Rights.” 36 John Marshall Law Review
181. 2002.
Thomas, Oliver and John E. Ferguson, Jr. “Religion in the Public Schools: What Does the
Law Say?” Social Studies Review: Journal of the California Council for the Social Studies,
Spring/Summer. 2001.
Ferguson, John E. Jr. “History of Religion in Public Schools: Who Decides”, Liberty,
May/June. 2001.
WORKS IN PROGRESS
Ferguson, John E. Jr., Tiffany Gallegos, Ben Dille, "Who Owns the Artic?" Law Review
Article.
Ferguson, John E. Jr., and Joe Cox, “Employment law issues and youth ministry work.”
Journal article.
Ferguson, John E. Jr., and David L. Hudson, “Tinkering With Tinker: Invading the
Rights of Others -- When Does Student Speech Cross the Line Into Harassment” Law
Review.
Ferguson, John E. Jr., Legal Considerations for Churches, textbook/manual for churches
on coping with legal issues.
SELECT INVITED LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
“Legal Considerations of Proposed State Curriculum Standards Related to Bible Classes
in Public Schools.” Testimony before Texas State Board of Education (Austin, TX:
August, 2008).
“Religious Liberty in Public Schools,” Region 10 Superintendent’s Academy,
(Richardson, TX: Apr. 2008).
“Constitutional Framework for Religious Liberty and Free Expression in Public
Schools,” Lincoln Public Schools, (Lincoln, Nebraska: June, 2007).
“First Amendment Considerations of HB 1287,” Testimony before Texas House of
Representatives Education Committee regarding Texas House Bill 1287 (Mandatory
Bible classes in public schools), (Austin, TX: April, 2007).
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“Religious Liberty Issues in the Schools and in the Public: Responsibility of Clergy in
the Process,” Keynote address, Clergy Institute Program, (Rochester, NY: March, 2006).
“Religion in the Public Schools,” The First Amendment’s Religious Liberty Clauses,
TexasBarCLE. (Austin, TX: March, 2006)
“First Amendment Protections for Student Free Expression,” Mustang Public Schools,
(Mustang, OK: February 2006).
“Religious Expression in Plano Schools in Response to Current Lawsuits,” Plano Public
Schools, (Plano, TX: July, 2005).
“Constitutional Guidelines for Religious Freedom and Free Expression in Public
Schools,” Rochester Independent School District, (Rochester, NY: July, 2005).
“Importance of First Amendment in Public Schools,” The Center for First Amendment
Rights, Inc., (Trinity College, Hartford, CT: Apr. 2005).
“Legal Guidelines for Bible Classes in Public Schools,” Bible in Public Schools
Conference, co-sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Bible
Literacy Foundation, (Concordia University, Portland, OR: December, 2004).
“ Creating First Amendment Friendly Partnerships Between Public Schools and the
Religious Community,” Los Angeles County Office of Education, (Los Angeles, CA:
Oct. 2004).
“Constitutional Considerations of Religious Diversity in Public Schools,” Pittsford
Independent School District, (Pittsford, NY: July, 2004).
“Free Press Issues in School Public Relations,” 2004 National School Public Relations
Association Conference, (Nashville, TN: July, 2004).
“Free Press for Student Journalists,” First Amendment Institute, College Media Advisors,
(Nashville, TN: June, 2004).
“First Amendment Controversies,” 2004 National Conference, Journalism Educators
Association, (San Diego, CA: April, 2004).
“The First Amendment in Schools,” Keynote speaker, 2004 Civil Liberties Workshop,
American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee. (Nashville, TN: March, 2004).
“Student Rights: Free Expression in Public Schools,” 2004 Conference, Middle Tennessee
Student Press Association, (Nashville, TN: March, 2004).
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“Why Can’t We All Just Get Along,” Under Siege: Religious Freedom in a Post-9/11
World, The International Association for Religious Freedom, (Tampa, FL: Jan. 2004).
Invited Scholar and Discussant, Center For Civic Education Scholars Conference, Center
for Civic Education, (San Diego, CA: Jan. 2004)
“First Amendment Rights and the Student Press,” 2003 Conference, Journalism Educator’s
Association, (Washington, D.C.: Nov. 2003).
“The First Amendment Implications of No Child Left Behind,” Tennessee Educators
Leadership Conference for Superintendents, Tennessee Department of Education,
(Nashville, TN: Oct. 2003).
“Religious Diversity and the First Amendment in Pittsford Central Schools,” Pittsford
Central Schools, (Pittsford, NY: Aug. 2003).
“First Amendment in Public Schools,” Dubuque Community Schools, (Dubuque, IA:
February, 2003).
“Religious Communities and Public Schools: A First Amendment Guide,” Interfaith
Partnership Conference, Interfaith Alliance (Puyallup, WA: Oct. 2002).
Conference Participant and co-host, Religious Liberty in American Life: Preparing
Religious Leaders for Civic Engagement in the 21 st Century, Conference co-hosted by First
Amendment Center and the Pew Forum on Religion in Public Life. (Osprey Point, MD:
September, 2002).
“Implications of the Istook Amendment for Tennessee,” Testimony before Tennessee
Senate Judiciary Committee, (Nashville, TN: May 2002).
“Zelman v. Simmons-Harris: The Supreme Court Tackles the Voucher Debate,” Third
Annual Symposium on Democracy: “Democracy and Religion: Free Exercise and Diverse
Visions,” Kent State University, (Kent, OH: April 2002).
“The First Amendment’s Civic Framework: Religious Liberty in Public Schools,”
Religious Liberty in Tennessee Public Schools Conference, First Amendment Center and
Tennessee Department of Education, (Nashville, TN: Oct. 2001).
“Schools, Religion and the First Amendment,” National Conference for Community and
Justice (Tulsa, OK: Feb. 2000).
“Legal Implications for Religion Courses in Public Schools,” Principal’s Academy, Nebo
School District (Provo, UT: Jan. 2000).
“Religion in Literature Courses,” Tennessee State University, (Nashville, TN: Nov. 1999).
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“First Amendment in Public Schools,” Knoxville Superintendent Inservice (Knoxville, TN:
Oct. 1999).
“Teaching About Religion in the Elementary Schools,” Horizons Conference, Montgomery
County School System (Clarksville, TN: Aug. 1999).
“Finding Common Ground,” Oklahoma Coalition to Preserve Religious Liberty and the
Oklahoma Public Schools (Oklahoma City, OK: May 1998).
EXPERT COMMENTATOR
Selected media include Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio,
The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Salt Lake Tribune, Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Dallas Morning News, the Associated Press and a 2001 profile in The Commercial Appeal
(Memphis, TN).
BAR ADMISSIONS
Tennessee (2000)
Washington, D.C. (2001)
U.S. Supreme Court (2003)
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Southwest Regional Political Science Association
Tennessee Bar Association
D.C. Bar Association
American Bar Association, Individual Rights and Responsibilities Section
American Academy of Religion
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Board President, North Waco Family Partnership Corporation (2011 - Present).
Deacon, Calvary Baptist Church (2011 - Present).
Board Member, Legal Assistance Project, Waco, TX (2008-present).
Constituent Services Assistant, State Office of U.S. Senator Fred Thompson (1996 –
1997).
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Courses Taught
1. Business Law (I & II) (undergraduate)
2. Negotiation and Conflict Management (Undergraduate, MBA & EMBA)
3. Business Law (EMBA)
4. International Business Law (EMBA)
5. American Constitutional Development
6. International Law
7. Law and Society
8. Legal Research/Independent study
9. Comparative Government
10. Introduction to the American Legal System
11. Supreme Court
12. Political Parties and Interest groups
13. Legal Issues in Religious Communities
14. American Government
15. Constitutional Development
16. Constitutional Rights
17. Moot Court
18. Religion and Politics
19. Legal Evidence
20. Constitutional Theory
21. Criminal Law and Procedure
22. International Politics
23. Internship Placement
24. Travel Classes: Washington, DC and Europe (Germany and France)
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