Daniel Ferris ’90/’01 MBA is taking on a new role as director of ONU’s Entrepreneurship program. Already a resident of Bourbonnais, he is on-site and onboard as ONU’s McGraw School of Business prepares to welcome students for the 2025–2026 academic year.
In addition to teaching classes for the Entrepreneurship major and minor, Professor Ferris will oversee the annual Createur Conference & Pitch Competition and the new Crawford Startup Studio.
“I am excited about the opportunities to develop relationships with prospective, new and current ONU students,” Professor Ferris said. “Helping students map out their path for graduation, their future careers and business success is one of my greatest challenges and joys. And what a wonderful opportunity for me to pass on what I’ve learned in my career as they prepare to launch their new business ideas into existence.”
From 2022 to 2025, Professor Ferris led ONUPlus — the University’s extension site program — hosted by churches and nonprofits at over 10 sites across the Midwest. His business and leadership career includes experience as Director of Development, Youth for Christ USA Inc., Palm Beach County, Florida; Vice President of Operations, CSL Plasma, Boca Raton, Florida; and operations management and engineering positions with CSL Behring, Kankakee, a global biotechnology company.
For the upcoming academic year, Professor Ferris has three main goals in his new role:
- Develop relationships with the students in the Entrepreneurship program and make sure they have a plan for graduating with the business skills they need.
- Ensure there is strong support for students who want to start their own business. This includes their participation in the Createur Conference & Pitch Competition, the Entrepreneurship Club and use of mentoring relationships.
- Build on the success of the Createur Conference & Pitch Competition, expanding to include more high school and college students.
“Daniel Ferris has a strong background in Entrepreneurship, which will equip him to train our students to expand and grow businesses throughout the economy,” says Dr. Glen Rewerts, dean of ONU’s McGraw School of Business. “Additionally, he brings with him the gravitas to work with our key donors and a passion to mentor students, both professionally and spiritually, to advance the Kingdom. Olivet is very blessed to have him join our team.”
ONU Roots Run Deep
Professor Ferris’ maternal grandfather, Harold Yochim ’53, was the first in his family to come to ONU in the 1950s. His other family members connected with ONU include: father, Dan J. Ferris ’69, who recently retired from a long career in Development; brother, Derek ’93/’02 MBA, who serves as Executive Director of Advancement; brother-in-law Dr. Charles Carrigan ’96, professor of Chemistry and Geoscience. His mother, Dianne (Yochim) ’67, and his sister, Dana (Ferris) Carrigan ’98, are also ONU graduates.
He met his wife, Julie (Starkweather) ’88, while they were students. She serves as the children’s director at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene. Their three adult children — Nathan ’14, Matthew ’16 and Sydney ’20, and their spouses — are also ONU graduates.
“ONU has a broad range of programs designed to fit students’ needs and where they want to go in the future,” Professor Ferris says. “Faculty and staff are committed to make a path for students to reach their goals. Professors who walk the Christian life are pouring into students, helping them on their journeys, and are ready to help struggling students move forward. An ONU degree is within reach for anyone.”
Seems Like Only Yesterday
ONU was just starting its Engineering program when Professor Ferris entered as a freshman. He was actually in the first Engineering graduating class. Mike Gingerich, who was the department chair, became a lifelong friend. That connection continued when Daniel and Julie’s son, Nathan, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
Professor Ferris has many wonderful memories of his days as an ONU student. “This falls in the category of ‘don’t try this at home,’” he says. “When we were sophomores, my roommate got a car. It wasn’t a great car, but it got us where we were going. One night, we wanted to go bowling, but the car was having transmission trouble. We drove in reverse all the way from ONU to the bowling alley. I barely remember the trip back to ONU!”
As he develops relationships with today’s ONU students, Professor Ferris wants to help them feel confident in their path toward a career and God’s calling on their lives. “I experienced that as an ONU student,” he says. “I want to make sure that every ONU student experiences that, too.”
To learn more about ONU’s McGraw School of Business and the Entrepreneurship program, or to enroll at ONU, contact the ONU Office of Admissions at admissions@olivet.edu or 800-638-1463.
