The Northwood University community is deeply saddened to announce the loss of David Fry, a respected educator, inspiring leader, and beloved figurehead. Fry served as Northwood’s CEO and President from 1982 to 2006. He passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.
Dr. Fry started his illustrious career as an economics professor with a focus on business, global economics, and free markets. As president, he concentrated on fostering an atmosphere where this enthusiasm could be transmitted to future generations of students through the university’s moral law, earned achievement, individual freedom and responsibility, and the significance of free enterprise. Dr. Fry proudly embodied these concepts.
As the longest-serving president “Dr. Fry fostered Northwood University’s growth and progress and left an indelible mark on the institution,” said current Northwood President Kent MacDonald. “Today, Northwood continues to advance the mission personified by Dr. Fry to develop free-enterprise leaders across America and worldwide.”
Dr. Fry joined Northwood in 1965 at the age of 22 as a part of an exceptional faculty class. He was mentored by Dr. V. Orval Watts, who gave shape and form to “The Northwood Idea.” Due to his exceptional teaching skills, Fry was voted “Outstanding Teacher of the Year” in 1967 and 1968.
In 1969, Fry was promoted to an administrative position by the school’s founders, Arthur and Johann Turner, along with Gary and Willa Stauffer. He was then assigned a mission to sow entrepreneurial seeds in Indiana in 1971, where he thrived. Although he loved teaching, Fry naturally guided, uplifted, and persuaded diverse groups of people to share a common dream.
