Major General Dawn Ferrell graduated from MSU Texas with a degree in social work in 1988 and earned her master’s degree in counseling in 1996.

Her family moved to Wichita Falls in 1973 when her dad was assigned to Sheppard Air Force Base. She would go on to graduate from Hirschi High School in 1983.  

Ferrell enjoyed a 37-year career in Texas Air National Guard. She served as principal advisor to the Adjutant General of Texas for all Air National Guard issues. She led the guard in missions such as the global war on terrorism, Texas border security, and recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey.

Ferrell was the first woman in the 73-year history of the Texas Air National Guard to attain the rank of general. Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Ferrell as the Texas Military Department’s Deputy Adjutant General for Air in November 2015.

Prior to working full time with the Texas Air National Guard, Ferrell was the director of Institutional Research and Planning and the accreditation liaison for Vernon College in Wichita Falls.

Ferrell was inducted into the 2021 Texas Woman’s Hall of Fame for her extraordinary contributions to Texas, both in military service and higher education.