A Cycle of Philanthropy
“To whom much is given, much is expected.”
These are the words that have guided Gene Frey (BA ‘53) and his family’s commitment to community and philanthropy. In April 2022, Frey and his late wife Mary donated $5 million to the College of Liberal Arts, a gift that will provide students with life-changing access to a CLA education for years to come.
But the impact of his generosity has even greater implications. Thanks to matching funds from the Bentson Foundation, the gift triggered an additional $2.5 million in incentive funding. Scholarships offered through the Bentson Challenge help cover the outstanding costs of attendance for students with great financial need.
In total, more than 900 scholarships will be awarded to first-year students over the next ten years. Beginning fall 2023, eligible students will receive $5,000 annually for up to four years.
“This gift is truly transformative – for our students and their families, for our college community, and for the workforce that will be positively impacted by these graduates’ contributions,” said John Coleman, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “We are grateful to the Frey family for their support in bolstering our students throughout their time at CLA and putting them on the path to achieve great things.”
The Journey to CLA
As a CLA alumnus, the gift also represented a profound way for Frey to give back to his alma mater, though he acknowledged his journey to the College of Liberal Arts wasn’t necessarily a straightforward one. Originally intending to go to medical school and follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Frey began at another Twin Cities college before realizing his passions lie elsewhere. He transferred to the University of Minnesota and petitioned to be an interdepartmental major. The rest, he said, was history.
“I loved psychology, I loved political science,” he said. “I used to say that going to political science class felt like a kid with a pass for the ice cream store. And I just knew that these were the kinds of subjects that I related to and felt better about taking.” For Frey, the liberal arts reflected a place to learn critical thinking and “how to get along in the world.”
He enlisted in the Air Force, came home to finish his degree, and went to work in the paper-products industry for more than four decades. His titles ranged from sales representative to sales manager, vice president to CEO, but of all the hats he wore, sales – and particularly building relationships – was his favorite.
Frey Family Tradition
In 1985, Frey and his wife Mary established the Frey Foundation of Minnesota as a way to formalize their family’s tradition of giving while continuing to build relationships and make an impact in their community. It was a value they had instilled in their three children’s lives since they were young.
“I always credit my wife Mary; she really had the heart for it,” he said. “She volunteered at Catholic Charities for years, and when the kids were growing up, she’d include them, too. She’d have them go out into the neighborhood and pick up groceries for those in need. And so, they’ve all gotten the message.”
Today, the Foundation funds creative nonprofits in Minneapolis and St. Paul, with priority given to programs that focus on education, housing, and health and human services.
As for his generosity to CLA, Frey hopes the cycle of philanthropy will continue by inspiring those who have been on the receiving end of a good deed to pay it forward someday, too. “Seeing firsthand what your efforts can do in the community – it fits,” he said. “It fits in our family and brings a great deal of satisfaction.”
