The Jesuit Tradition

Brother Ferrell Blank, S.J., a native of Gramercy, Louisiana, attended St. Joseph School in Paulina and graduated from Lutcher High School in 1955. Then Ferrell entered the Society of Jesus as a brother in 1955 and was assigned to Spring Hill College in 1961. In 1982-83 he had a 2 year sabbatical at St. Joseph Parish in Houston, and Ignatius Jesuit Retreat House in Atlanta. He took his final vows as a Jesuit at Spring Hill College in 1966 and in 2006 celebrated his 50th year in the order.Jesuit Brothers are involved in all sorts of ministries working in our houses for the Greater Glory of God.Ferrell has been involved in many aspects of mechanical maintenance. He graduated from the International Correspondence School in building maintenance, air conditioning, refrigeration and heating. He also was certified as a plant engineer in 1976. After directing operations at Spring Hill for many years, he was of great assistance in putting the college back together after Hurricane Frederic in 1979.Currently he is semi retired, but one can hardly notice this, as he takes care of the Jesuit villa at Perdido Beach, AL and continues part time assistance at Spring Hill, meeting the needs of the community and the college. He enjoys meeting with students and friends, talking about the life of the Jesuit Brother and other enjoyable projects. He also enjoys socializing with many friends who are alumni, engineers and contractors. He is known for his world famous andouille and chicken gumbo. Ferrell enjoys fishing when he can get at chance to go.He is a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Knights of Columbus, and the Men of St. Joseph. He has one sister and one brother living in Gramercy and Reserve, Louisiana. Please also read: Spring Hill College alumnus John Nugent ‘79 honors friendship with Brother Blank through a scholarship in his name.