2018 STAR Award
‘Fody’ Frentsos Wins Annual Staff Award; Others honored for Service Milestones
A constant smile, positive attitude, and willingness to go above and beyond are just a few of the characteristics that nominators praised about Fotios “Fody” Frentsos.
Frentsos has been awarded the 2018 Special Thanks and Recognition (STAR) Award from the University Staff Council. The award honors a non-faculty employee who goes above and beyond their job description, offering encouragement, a positive attitude, and an efficient work ethic to the campus community. The nominees are evaluated by the Staff Council.
Frentsos is known as the “lifeline” of the athletic department, which includes being a trusted and sought-out mentor to students, especially athletes. Whether it be a student struggling with academics or life at home, Frentsos’ door is open.
Frentsos was nominated by a plethora of staff members who all agree he is the epitome of the STAR Award.
“He exemplifies what is great about Ohio Wesleyan,” said Mike DeWitt, head men’s basketball coach.
President Rock Jones noted the lasting impact that Frentsos leaves on former students.
“Everywhere I traveled, I’d be asked, ‘How’s Fody?’ These questions came from former classmates, students, and alumni.”
Just as his numerous STAR nomination forms state, Frentsos is humble and deflects the attention to his peers and students.
“Truly my favorite part about working [at Ohio Wesleyan] is the students and staff. They’re tremendous people! [I love] learning about their individual stories and then being a prayerful encouragement for them.
“When President Jones told me of the award, I was very humbled and grateful.”
To learn a little more about Frentsos, take a look back at an excerpt from the fall 2017 OWU Magazine:
Fotios Athanasius Frentsos Jr. ’84, known as “Fody” to his friends, which is everyone he meets, considers himself a true Delaware townie in the best way. He and his seven brothers and sisters grew up in Delaware and all remain in the area. He was the first in his family to go to college, thanks to the encouragement of then-OWU basketball coach Gene Mehaffey, who saw 17-year-old Fody on campus for noon basketball every day and asked him if he wanted to go to school — he even said Fody could play basketball, baseball, and football. And Fody did, winning nine letters in the three sports. After graduation he stuck around, serving as an assistant football coach for 11 seasons, then transitioning to baseball full-time because the practice schedule allowed him more time to spend with his family. Now, in addition to his coaching duties, Fody is part groundskeeper, maintenance man, and general Mr. Fix-It for anything in athletics.
During the Jan. 10 recognition event, Ohio Wesleyan also honored staff members reaching milestones in their service to the campus community. Those honored included:
35 Years of Service
- Annie Seiler ’75
30 Years of Service
- Bonnie Mahle
- Jon Powers
- Martine Stephens
- Kathryn Warnock ’76
25 Years of Service
- Cathy Hursey
20 Years of Service
- Brenda Fogle
- Sharon Schrader
15 Years of Service
- Christopher Fogle
- Elizabeth Foos
- Jill Kerins
- Karen McNeal
- Donald Stevens ’17
- Tammy Wallace ’02
10 Years of Service
- Sean Duffy
- Justin Hardiman
- Lisa Hill
- Rockwell Jones
- Amy Kaple
- Christine Lemanski
- Tracey Little
- Emily Lugg
- Adam Mayer
- Michael Pavlechko
- Deanne Peterson
- Rebecca Sherman
- David Soliday
5 Years of Service
- Pablo Banhos
- Chelsea Conley
- Nathan Conley
- Jason Cox
- Jaime Douce ’08
- Melanie Kalb
- Wendi Kay
- Kevin Paskvan
- Rachel Rieman
- Pamela Temple
- Margie Watts
- Kathryn Webster
Congratulations and thank you, Fody, and everyone honored!