From The President

Dear Friends,
Greetings from OU! We hope wherever you are, you are “wintering” well.
We are pleased to present another issue of our Spirit magazine. We receive many comments from our readers on how much they appreciate the format and the quality of this publication, but always welcome more, as well as your suggestions and ideas.

“Spirit” is a wonderful and most appropriate name for this magazine. Of course, it is derived from our use of the “OU Spirit” which all of us as alums recognize as one of the defining aspects of our institution. It speaks to the energy, drive, accomplishment, and value sets that OU alums are known for. In this particular issue, there is one individual among many others who are profiled I would like to call out. That is Robert “Bob” Froning.

As you read about Bob, it will be abundantly clear that there could be no better exemplar of the OU Spirit than this incredible gentleman. He and his father before him have distinguished themselves in all elements of life, and especially in their guidance and service to Ottawa University. Now in his 92nd year of a rich and enriching life, it has been my pleasure to know and to work with this man on behalf of OU since 1982. His style, intellect, wisdom, charm, and grace are legendary and remain an everyday part of his being.

I have learned so much from Bob. He helped me to be a better trustee when we served together on the board for many years. And, he has helped me to be a better person. In fact, his influence (along with his forever buddy, Roger Fredrikson) were major factors in bringing Marylin and me to this work. He is a dear friend, and we are to be counted among the most fervent of his many admirers. Bob, we salute you. And we salute all of the other fabulous people profiled in the Spirit. All of us can benefit from their examples.

Stay warm, and please stay involved with OU. We need you more than ever on so many different levels. People like Bob Froning make it all possible.
In the best of the OU Spirit,

Kevin C. Eichner ’73, LLD ’08