Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 24, 1994 TAG: 9407280048
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By JULIE KANE
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Ferrari's career as an educator of architecture spanned almost 30 years, touching many of the 3,600 architecture graduates in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies as well as nearly everyone else he met.
Ron Daniel, professor and head of architecture for the college, remembers first meeting Ferrari in 1966 while a student here. Attending a first-year lecture by Ferrari, he experienced a "blinding flash" that revealed to him that he wanted to dedicate his life to architecture and its education.
Ferrari was recruited to Tech from Auburn University by Architecture Dean Charles Burchard, a graduate of the famous Bauhaus school in Germany before World War II. Ferrari graduated from the renown Ulm School of Design in post-war Germany under Max Bill.
In 1966, the two men crafted the core foundation of what was to become one of the nation's strongest colleges of architecture and urban studies. Ferrari's achievement and reputation as an educator grew quickly. Four years after joining Virginia Tech, he won the university's Wine Award for Teaching Excellence. He received numerous other teaching awards, including the Distinguished Professor Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture in 1990.
Described as vibrant, charismatic and humorous, Ferrari was not one to keep up with details. In this area, as well as many others, his wife, Luci, proved invaluable. She is fluent in six languages and it is said she accompanied Ferrari to his classes at Auburn as his translator while he learned English. As assistant director of the university's study abroad program in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland, Luci teaches the language and culture of the regions covered in architecture.
As a result of his innovative and experimental teaching, Ferrari inspired many successful individuals who excelled in many fields. His alumni include John Carnochan, chief editor at Walt Disney Studios; Robert Turner, a partner at Skidmore, Owens and Merrill; and Robert Reuter, a well-known industrial designer.
Ferrari's teaching encompassed all aspects of life. "He talked about philosophy, music, and even cooking," Daniel said. After class, Ferrari and his students would often head for the Greek Cellar on Main Street in Blacksburg where they would talk into the evenings. He knew the restaurant's owners, Jim and Anna Havelos and Chris Kappas, who were like family. In the '60s and '70s, Blacksburg was a smaller, more tightly knit community, and Ferrari made converts everywhere. A neighbor, Virginia Tech Professor Thomas MacAdoo, contributed so much to the architecture program that many considered him adjunct faculty.
To enable Tech students to study abroad, Charles Steger, the college's former dean and now vice president of development and university relations, worked with Ferrari to establish a study abroad program in Riva San Vitale. As director of the study abroad program since 1968, Ferrari saw it grow and expand.
As letters and phone calls came pouring in from all parts of the world, Daniel reflected, "We may never fully know the impact of Olivio's influence. His contributions will stand as immense, fundamental landmarks that reflect a standard of quality and innovation that should continue to inspire us all."
Julie Kane is the public relations spokeswoman for the College of Architecture and Urban Studies.
by CNB