Michael Gerald Ford

Michael Gerald Ford is the oldest of four children of U.S. President Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford. Prior to his birth, Ford's mother wanted to name him after his father. However, Ford's father had always disliked being called "Junior" and he refused to "inflict the nickname on any son." The Fords settled on his name as a compromise.

He is a minister. Ford retired from Wake Forest University in June 2017 after 36 years as student life administrator and campus leader. The Office of Student Development, where he served, oversees all student organizations. He is an alumnus of Wake Forest (BA, 1972) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MDiv, 1977). He was the president of Sigma Chi while a student at WFU. President Ford, when he was still in Congress, spoke at his son's commencement.