In Memory Of...

Today brought very sad news for me and generations of other architecture and interior design students. The news that one of our favorite architecture professors passed away moved quickly through the grapevine of our school network. Professor Richard Ferrier taught freshmen all the way to graduate students. He was the very first teacher any of us students had in the architecture department. He taught the 400 student architectural survey class that had to be held in a large auditorium. It brought my first real taste of big university classes. The class was so large because it served as an elective for all majors. He had to have three teaching assistants for such a huge class. The class was designed to teach an overview of the major developments of architecture, art, and design and how they relate to society and culture. He enjoyed sharing what he loved with us and made us love it as well.

He was a great teacher and an award-winning practicing architect. They always say that those who can’t do teach. Professor Ferrier definitely could do it and teach. He always talked to us about Chaco Canyon in New Mexico and how much it inspired and intrigued him. He took a group of students every year as a short summer course. He loved to fish out at Lake Whitney in North Central Texas and talked about its beauty and peacefulness often. He definitely had a sense of humor, often telling jokes that were misunderstood. He won more awards than anyone can count and absolutely loved architecture and art. The textbook for his class was a compilation of his notes and the important things he wanted us to take from the class. He just simply wanted us to understand what he was teaching us and provided us with the easiest method to do that.

I pulled out that old ‘textbook’ and looked over it, and it reminded me of a time when I loved school, when everything was still fresh and exciting, before the frustrated and stressed feelings had set in. This proves that everything about school wasn’t bad. I loved my architectural history classes and typically did extremely well in them, such as this one in which I pulled an ‘A’ and was exempt from the final. I’ve always felt that good teachers produce good students. When you have a student eager to learn and you teach them in a way that they can understand and appreciate, you as a teacher have done your job very well. Professor Ferrier laid the foundation for my education. I’m just sad to know that so many more students will not be so fortunate to learn from his as well. However, the students that did have the honor to learn from him will carry his passion, thoughts, and ideas along with them throughout their careers.

My biggest regret is that I didn’t take part in his annual pumpkin carving contest. He meant business and wanted for his students to learn, but he also found time to have fun and expected the same for us. I took this class 8 years ago, but I distinctly remember two pieces of wisdom he shared with our class: 1. Always wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. 2. If you're a female and you plan on getting married, do it before you start your career. You'll have a hard time changing your last name once people know your work by your maiden name.

Thanks for the memories Professor Ferrier…