Summer 2004 Feature

President Emeritus Frederick Carlos Ferry, Jr. 1913–2004

President Emeritus
Frederick Carlos Ferry, Jr.

“President Ferry had great vision for what Pine Manor College might become and great courage to forge our independence....”

Frederick Carlos (Carl) Ferry, Jr., the sixth president of Pine Manor College, died on July 2, 2004, at the age of 91. His 18-year tenure as president (1956–1974) included PMC’s move from a shared campus in Wellesley to its own campus in Chestnut Hill in 1964, and from a shared governance with the Dana Hall School to its own independent charter in 1962. President Ferry oversaw the search for PMC’s new location, as well as the construction of new facilities on campus.

“President Ferry had great vision for what Pine Manor College might become and great courage to forge our independence,” said President Gloria Nemerowicz. “He also worked incredibly hard to build a fine academic program and to build relationships with our alumnae all over the world. I am personally grateful for the guidance and support he provided me during these past 7 years. It was obvious that his attachment to the welfare of the College stayed with him throughout his life. He will be missed, but never forgotten.”

View Ferry photos

Reflecting on Carl Ferry’s presidency, Professor of French Mary Gegerias said, “President Ferry was always most concerned with academics. He was sensitive, thoughtful, and full of encouragement. He worked with us to establish the PMC in Paris Program in 1964, even though he was very busy with the move from Wellesley to Chestnut Hill.”

Before becoming President of Pine Manor Junior College, President Ferry held executive positions at the Rhode Island School of Design and Bradford Junior College. He was a former president of the New England Junior College Council and a member of the board of directors of the American Association of Junior Colleges and of the School and College Relations Committee of the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Hamilton College (N.Y.). President Ferry graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1931. He received his AB degree from Hamilton College and his MEd degree from Harvard University in 1951.

President Ferry was married twice. His first wife, Elizabeth, was well known in the PMC community. They had two sons, Frederick C. III and Jonathan. President Ferry was predeceased by both Elizabeth and his second wife, Carol.

President Ferry’s ashes were interred in his father’s plot in the cemetery of Hamilton College, where his father had been president from 1917 to 1938.

Condolences may be sent to the family through his son, Frederick, at 18 Leland Street, Grafton, MA 01519. Because President Ferry was an avid ice hockey player, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Charles Moore Arena, PO Box 1441, Orleans, MA 02653.

A scholarship is being established at PMC in President Ferry’s name. Contributions may be sent to the Development Office, Pine Manor College, 400 Heath Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467.