[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 62 (Thursday, April 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING UNIVERSITY OF FINDLAY PRESIDENT DR. DeBOW FREED

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM JORDAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 29, 2010

  Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I am honored to commend to the 
House the outstanding contributions of Dr. DeBow Freed. Dr. Freed is 
departing the presidency of the University of Findlay after serving in 
that office for nearly seven years.
  DeBow Freed's distinguished service is a shining example to everyone 
in the field of higher education. He is a 1946 graduate of the United 
States Military Academy at West Point, to which he returned as a 
physics instructor at the conclusion of more than two decades of Army 
service. He also earned nuclear science and nuclear engineering degrees 
from the University of Kansas and the University of New Mexico.
  He served as dean of Ohio's Mount Union College from 1969 until 1974, 
when Illinois's Monmouth College selected him as its president. At 
Monmouth, as would be true in his future assignments, Dr. Freed helped 
solidify the school's fiscal standing, increase enrollment, and 
strengthen ties between the campus and the local community.
  In 1979, Dr. Freed was chosen to serve as Ohio Northern University's 
ninth president, a position he held for two decades. At ONU, he oversaw 
continual balanced budgets, bolstered the school's endowment funds, and 
supervised numerous renovation and construction projects--including the 
completion of a performing arts center that bears his name and that of 
his wife of 61 years, Catherine Moore Freed. Dr. Freed was elected 
president emeritus in 1999.
  In 2003, Findlay's Board of Trustees invited Dr. Freed to accept the 
presidency on a temporary basis and assist in the search for a longer-
term president. He quickly endeared himself to Findlay's students, 
faculty, and staff through his vision, integrity, and high personal 
standards. Because of his strong leadership and commitment to the 
school and the local community, the trustees asked him to remain in 
office.
  The university has benefited tremendously from Dr. Freed's 
outstanding skills as a manager and educator. During his tenure, he has 
helped expand the school's academic offerings to include doctoral 
programs in pharmacy and physical therapy. He has overseen an increase 
in the number of full-time faculty members from 155 to 195. He is held 
in the highest regard by students, who appreciate his direct engagement 
with them and his dedication to their success.
  Dr. Freed models the service to community that he encourages in 
others. He is a trustee of the Toledo Symphony and the Blanchard Valley 
Health Association, as well as a former chair of the Center of Science 
and Industry Foundation Board of Trustees.
  Dr. Freed is insistent that he is not ``retiring,'' noting that 
retirement implies a departure. The students, faculty, and staff of the 
University of Findlay will never be far from his thoughts--just as he 
will never be far from theirs.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Ohio's Fourth Congressional 
District, I offer my congratulations to Dr. DeBow Freed on a long and 
distinguished academic career. I wish him and his family every success 
as they move to a new chapter in their lives.

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