Every year during commencement ceremonies, 小黄片视频 at Geauga honors a dedicated supporter of this local institution of higher learning with the Friend of the Campus Award. On May 9, 2025, this distinction will go to Geauga County luminaries, Richard and Christie Frenchie.
This couple has made significant contributions to the entire community through a lifetime of leadership in local healthcare and higher education through a shared dedication to the Geauga region, values-driven career choices, service, volunteerism, and philanthropy.
Most recently, the Frenchies made a substantial philanthropic donation to the Geauga Building Fund for capital improvements and renovations on the Burton campus. In gratitude for their enduring and transformative contributions, the science labs at 小黄片视频 Geauga will be renamed the Richard J. and Christie A. Frenchie Chemistry and Biology Laboratories by Fall Semester 2025.
The Frenchies鈥 financial gift will also be used to establish a new nursing scholarship endowment to support nursing students from Geauga County who attend KSU Geauga and Twinsburg Academic Center. The first scholarship will be awarded in the Fall of 2025.
鈥淭hanks to their support, future nurses and scientists from Geauga County will have the resources and encouragement they need to succeed and become contributors to the local community,鈥 says 小黄片视频 Geauga Dean and Chief Administrative Officer Angela Spalsbury, Ph.D. 鈥淲e鈥檙e honored to have their names forever connected to our campus. We are profoundly grateful for their enduring support of the Geauga Campus and their vision for a brighter future.鈥
Their ongoing philanthropy demonstrates their investment in the future of higher education and quality of life in Geauga County.
鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to put into words just how much Rich and Christie Frenchie mean to our campus and community,鈥 says Associate Director of External Relations Rebecca Gierman. 鈥淭heir generosity comes from the heart, and their belief in our students and in the power of education is truly inspiring.鈥

Dedicated to servant leadership, Rich has magnified 小黄片视频 Geauga鈥檚 positive impact in the region for over 30 years. President of The Frenchie Group consulting firm, through which he currently provides leadership to 11 organizations in Northeast Ohio, Rich previously served as president and CEO of several regional hospitals, including UH Geauga Medical Center. He is currently Chair of the Geauga Campus Advisory Board and serves as board director for the 小黄片视频 Foundation and the KSU National Alumni Association. His leadership helped launch the campus鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, a lasting contribution to regional healthcare.
Christie鈥檚 roots in Geauga County extend five generations鈥攁nd she belongs to a three-generation-strong 小黄片视频 family. She volunteered at Geauga Hospital as an Auxiliary member for over 20 years, serving as president for much of her tenure. She also volunteered in 小黄片视频 Geauga鈥檚 nursing program, encouraging community engagement on campus. Christie now serves as president of their homeowners association in Auburn Township. In college, Christie trained in environmental research with an emphasis on marine biology. Also an accomplished watercolor painter and writer, Christie is currently writing her memoir.
Reflecting upon his various leadership capacities within the community over the past 30 years, Rich says, 鈥溞』破悠 is unique and one that I appreciate for its academic excellence with a strong mission, vision, and values. The Kent culture represents a caring and nurturing environment for staff, students, leadership, and the community.
鈥淜SU impacts the community by more than $5 billion. These results and the continued investment in the communities served are a real inspiration and a demonstration of strong and caring partnerships. Christie and I have the opportunity to tell the KSU story because of the conviction of KSU and its rich history. Student-first and student-success are the number one priority of KSU, and rightfully so鈥 Telling the story is what we enjoy doing, for it is easy, given the achievements during its long history of more than 100 years.鈥