“David Frey’s influence on the growth and success of Grand Valley in
this community cannot be overstated. His legacy lives on in every
aspect of our downtown and health campuses,” said President Philomena
V. Mantella. “David followed in his parents’ footsteps as a leader for
the West Michigan community, and we are forever appreciative that
Grand Valley was included in his vision.”
Frey helped grow Grand Valley’s downtown presence as chair of the
Grand Design 2000 Campaign. This helped the university acquire the
land for the Pew Grand Rapids Campus and ultimately raise the funds to
complete the Richard M. DeVos Center.
“Over the years, David Frey became our ‘go-to guy’ for so many
initiatives and ideas. He brought a contagious passion for this region
into every decision and inspired us to believe anything was possible,”
said President Emeritus Arend D. Lubbers.
Frey served as co-chair of the campaign to build the L. William
Seidman Center, which houses the Seidman College of Business. Working
alongside Doug DeVos, Frey gathered community support to give the
growing business program its own building and honor the memory of GVSU
founder Bill Seidman.
In 2008, with Frey at its helm, the Frey Foundation envisioned and
funded an endowed chair in the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for
Philanthropy, which was the first of its kind in the nation. The Frey
Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy now engages with a network of
partners to pursue a comprehensive, international program of applied
research and education.
For four decades, Frey contributed to the university’s growth and
development. In 1998, he received an honorary Doctorate of Business
Administration from Grand Valley.
