Northwood University President Emeritus Dr. David E. Fry and Florida campus President Dr. Tom Duncan recently sat down to reflect on Northwood University’s history and to celebrate the vision of founders Dr. Arthur Turner and Dr. Gary Stauffer. Northwood first opened its doors in Alma, Michigan on March 23, 1959, and the Florida campus began offering courses on March 6, 1984.The event, titled “A Conversation with Dr. David E. Fry,” which also commemorated the 30th Anniversary of Northwood’s Florida Campus, was attended by students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the University.
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While stating that “it’s the differences between us that make us useful to one another, not the similarities,” Fry shared anecdotes relating to Northwood University’s founders and how their personalities complimented one another. As the gregarious and outgoing Arthur Turner introduced and nurtured important relationships, the more introverted Gary Stauffer was the man behind the planning and data that ensured many of Turner’s visions came to fruition. Fry observed that many Northwood University programs were established as the result of its leaders closely following market trends and listening to industry leaders. He encouraged those present to continue to follow that model.
Dr. Duncan interviewed Dr. Fry and asked the President Emeritus what the Florida campus offers that will continue to attract students going forward. “Dr. Fry fully appreciates the value of the Florida location in West Palm Beach for the growth that is coming our way,” Duncan reflected following the event. “He understands that South Florida is an attractive place for students from Latin America, Europe, and Asia to study, given our great weather and scenic location near the Atlantic Ocean.” Continued Duncan, “Dr. Fry believes that students who want to study global business, and who want to do it in a setting that promotes a global perspective in a context of many cultures and languages, will find Northwood Florida the perfect place for their educations.”
In accordance with Northwood University’s emphasis on the integration of creativity and free-enterprise, additional Values Emphasis Week events included a creativity workshop led by Dr. Sherry Penn-Crawford, and a dance class taught by Florida Registrar Dawn Musgrave-Demarest and her husband Greg.
