University of Louisville Magazine

FALL 2011

The University of Louisville Alumni Magazine: for alumni, faculty, staff, students and anyone that is a UofL Cardinal fan.

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FEA TURE STOR Y member and as a rehab patient. "Harry would come over practically daily and work out in our gym," Berryman recalled. "Then he would come to my offi ce and lend me advice, help me with decision making. He taught me business principles that I could apply to what I was doing in a health care setting. He was a valued mentor." "You can go anywhere in all four directions in Jefferson County and fi nd Harry's imprint on this community — a development he built or a nonprofi t he supported," Armstrong said. "His legacy is everywhere." People who knew Harry well describe him as a modest, "regular" guy, a strong family man with a hearty laugh and a great sense of humor. "Harry could relate to anyone, from a main- tenance person to a property manager. He just left a positive impact wherever he went," said Bob Marrett, another former business partner. Harry was an imposing physical presence — 6'4" and north of 250 pounds. "When Harry entered the room, you couldn't miss him," said Armstrong. "He was a big guy with a gruff voice, but he had a gentle way about him." Frazier had a passion for life and for laughter. "Harry loved to laugh," Middleton said. "He was funny and he told funny stories. He knew everybody in town, so he had lots of stories to tell." "Dad had an irreverent sense of humor," said daughter Sandra. "He found humor where other people took things way too seriously." Harry's legacy lives on with his wife, Jean, and their three children, who have also made their mark in business, sports, social work and philanthropy. Jean remains committed to the Louisville community. She is a member of the Harrods Creek Fire Protection District Board of Trustees and the co-founder of the Louisville Metro Reentry Taskforce whose mission is to coordi- nate agencies and resources for ex-offenders. Jean's interest and advocacy also extend to UofL, where she established and funded the Polypharmacy Initiative (dedicated to combat- ing the inappropriate use of medication in older adults) based in the Department of Family & Geriatric Medicine. Son George appears to have inherited Harry's penchant for risk-taking. George was a success- ful race car driver before a knee injury forced his early retirement. He supports and maintains a strong interest in UofL athletics. Sandra Frazier, like her dad, is an entre- preneur and civic leader. She started her own Louisville-based business, Tandem Public Relations, and serves on numerous boards and commissions, including the Louisville and Southern Indiana Bridges Authority, 21st Century Parks, the Downtown Development Corporation, Nucleus (a UofL affi liate dedicated to attracting innovation to Louisville) and the Kentucky Center Endowment Board. Ginny Frazier followed her father's interest in mental health and social causes. She is a psychol- ogist at The Healing Place in Louisville and serves on the board of the Home of the Innocents. The idea of naming the College of Business for Harry Frazier was fi rst proposed in early 2011 — and was heartily endorsed by his brother and by U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McCon- nell, a close friend of the Frazier family since his days as Jefferson County Judge-Executive. "This is a fi tting tribute to a man who was a great benefactor to so many worthy causes throughout the community and whose legacy of generosity lives on through his wife and chil- dren," McConnell said. "It's particularly appropriate to name the building for someone who was such an outstand- ing entrepreneur, business pioneer and a man who loved seeing new development transform places," said President James Ramsey. "But perhaps even more important, Harry was a good citizen who did a lot for the community. I like to think of UofL as a place that fosters the principles of making our community a better place. So this is a challenge for us to live up to Harry's legacy." Although he never met Harry S. Frazier, Jr., College of Business Dean Charles Moyer is well aware of the lasting effect he had on the city. Moyer, who serves on the Louisville and South- ern Indiana Bridges Authority board with Sandra Frazier, said naming the school is a testament both to Frazier and to the university. "We couldn't be more honored to have his name formally affi liated with our college," Moyer said. "It's not only a well-deserved tribute to Harry Frazier, Jr.'s memory, it's also a tribute to the place where he fi rst studied business." What would Harry Frazier think about having his name emblazoned on the College of Business? "Harry didn't put his name on lots of things In the heydays of HFH, groundbreakings were all in a day's work for Harry Frazier, Jr. and his friend, then-Jefferson County Judge-Executive Mitch McConnell (top). The Frazier brothers learned about civic responsibility from their mother, Amelia Brown Frazier, who led the charge in founding what is now the Frazier Rehab Institute (center). As children, some of Harry's and Owsley's fondest pastimes were fi shing trips with their father (bottom). — and that was by design," Jean Frazier said. "He'd probably be a little embarrassed about all the fuss — but he'd be proud. He always said that UofL taught him the skills he needed to succeed. He loved this university." Mike Bosc is an award-winning journalist, editor and public relations consultant. He is a former Chicago bureau chief for U.S. News & World Report. FALL UOFL MAGAZINE|27

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