Presenting 2025 Hotelie Hall of Fame Story - Richard (Dick) Ferris ’62
An excerpt from Dick's story...
Born August 31, 1936, in Sacramento, California, Richard (Dick) J. Ferris’ career was characterized by an ambitious vision and significant leadership in the travel and hospitality industries. His professional journey began after a three-year stint in the U.S. Army, where he was assistant manager at Rocker Four, an NCO club in Tokyo. There, he met Frank Ready ’35, a businessman and alumnus of Cornell. Frank convinced Dick to enroll in the Hotel School at Cornell. Dick left the Army, rode the bus from Stockton, CA to Ithaca, NY, and enrolled at Cornell in 1958.
While at Cornell, Dick worked his way through school and, at the same time, immersed himself in everything the Hotel School had to offer. He became heavily involved with HEC, serving as Maître D’hôtel for HEC 36, and then as managing director for HEC 37. HEC provided invaluable experience for his future career in the hospitality industry.