Professor Emerita Eva Dreikurs Ferguson Remembered for Her Enduring Legacy in Psychology and Education

Professor Emerita Eva Dreikurs Ferguson Remembered for Her Enduring Legacy in Psychology and Education

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville mourns the passing of Eva Dreikurs Ferguson, PhD, professor emerita of psychology and distinguished scholar, who died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, at the age of 96. Ferguson served the University for more than five decades, leaving an indelible mark on SIUE through her teaching, scholarship, mentorship and philanthropic legacy.

Eva joined SIUE in 1965 and served as a faculty member in the Department of Psychology until her retirement in 2019. During her 54-year tenure, she was widely recognized as a distinguished scholar in motivation and Adlerian psychology, and for her dedication to advancing both theory and practice in educational and organizational settings.

The daughter of pioneering psychologist Rudolf Dreikurs, MD, Eva continued and expanded her father's influential work in Adlerian psychology throughout her career. She played a central role in establishing the Dr. Rudolf Dreikurs Visiting Scholar Endowment, which supports the Dreikurs Visiting Scholar Series at SIUE and brings internationally recognized Adlerian scholars to campus. The endowment ensures that the Dreikurs legacy of social interest, democratic leadership and encouragement continues to inspire students and faculty for generations to come.

"I had the honor and privilege of meeting and working with Eva over the last two years to elevate the Dreikurs Visiting Scholar Series," said Nick Niemerg, director of development for the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior. "The tremendous legacy that she leaves behind not only at SIUE but the field of Psychology is truly inspiring and I'm so grateful that I got to know and work with her."

An internationally respected scholar, Ferguson earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Illinois, a master's degree from the University of Melbourne, and her PhD from Northwestern University. Her academic career included clinical practice in the United States and Australia, as well as research sabbaticals as a visiting professor at the University of Vermont, Northwestern University and the University of California, Berkeley.

Her scholarship allowed her to author several renown publications, including "Motivation: A Biosocial and Cognitive Integration of Motivation and Emotion," (Oxford University Press, 2000); "Adlerian Theory: An Introduction," (Adler University, 2018); and co-author of "Discipline Without Tears," (Wiley, 2004), a foundational work in positive discipline that she later revised with senior responsibility. She also published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, with research focused on motivation, leadership, workplace well-being, parenting and education.

Ferguson was a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science, a founding member of the Society for the Study of Motivation and a diplomate of the North American Society for Adlerian Psychology. She was also a member of the Psychonomic Society, Sigma Xi, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Beyond her scholarship, Eva was known for her generosity, intellectual curiosity and commitment to students and colleagues.

Memorial arrangements will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the International Committee of Adlerian Summer Schools and Institutes (ICASSI). Condolences may be shared through the family's official obituary at Weber & Rodne Funeral Home.

Photo: Eva Dreikurs Ferguson, PhD, courtesy of Weber & Rodne Funeral Home