Today, FALL/WINTER 2006 1 - University of the Ozarks

Romo: I could never pay back enough ...Fred Romo has many people andinstitutions to thank for a life that has seenhim go from being a Cuban refugee to anexecutive with Whirlpool Corporation.Near the top of that list is Universityof the Ozarks.Romo, a 1968 Ozarks’ graduate, isretired from a 30-year career withWhirlpool. He retired in 2000 as thecompany’s manufacturing manager forglobal logistics, quite a climb for a youngman who came to the United States as a17-year-old refugee from Cuba withnothing but the clothes on his back and asmall cardboard suitcase with a singlechange of clothing.“University of the Ozarks is a majorreason I’ve had the success that I’ve hadin my life,” said Romo, who lives in Ozark,Ark., with his wife Andrea, also a 1968graduate of Ozarks. “This great institutionprovided me with an opportunity to obtaina first-rate business education, and it wassomething I used every day in my career.I don’t like to think what would havehappened if I hadn’t had that opportunity.”As a way to thank the University,Romo and his wife established the RomoFamily Trust, leaving Ozarks as an equalbeneficiary along with their four children.The fund will go toward an endowmentfor faculty enrichment.“I could never pay back or, in this case,pay forward enough to equal what theUniversity gave me,” said Romo, who isa member Ozarks’ Board of Trustees. “Iwant to be able to help future studentsget the same opportunities I receivedhere.”Romo, who was adopted by a familyin Iowa after coming to the States, enrolledat Ozarks in 1964 through ties to thePresbyterian Church. He worked his waythrough college on the grounds crew andlater as janitor in the music department.“It was hard work, but I was gettingmy tuition and room and board paid for,and I was getting a good education,” hesaid. “The goals of the University werethe same then as they are now. It wasFred Romo ’68about intellectual development and spiritualdevelopment. My years at Ozarks wereabout intellectual growth and civic maturity.I learned that it was important to give backto your community and to get involved inmaking a difference.”Romo made it a point throughout hisprofessional career to give back to thepeople, community and institutions thatpaved the way for his success. He madetime to be actively involved in his church,politics and community projects such asyouth shelters and literacy councils,including the years he was traveling theglobe in his job with Whirlpool. Romo saidas his children got older, he began to thinkof ways to help Ozarks and futuregenerations of students.“Our children have established,professional careers, and they don’t needour financial support as much now,” saidRomo. “I never knew I had the resourcesto help out the University until I sat downand met with my financial planner. WePhilanthropy NewsAndrea and Fred Romoworked out a family trust that would takecare of my family and would help theUniversity as well. I have always made ita point to have life insurance, a will, andthose types of things to make sure myfamily was taken care of. The family trustis another way to ensure that our assetsare distributed according to our wishes.“I would encourage all the BabyBoomers who received their education atOzarks, and who are nearing retirement,to look at establishing a trust and includingthe University in it. I don’t think there is abetter way to give back.”University and Presbytery of Arkansas officials (left photo, from left) CampusChaplain The Rev. Nancy Benson-Nicol, Executive Presbyter The Rev. Dr. Bill Branch,Moderator The Hon. Barbara Webb, and University President Dr. Rick Niece, tookpart in signing an agreement that would establish the Presbytery of Arkansas AnnualScholarship Fund for deserving students. Dr. Robert L. King (right photo, with Dr.Niece) of Pensacola, Fla., recently established the Dr. Robert L. King and EleanorParker King Endowed Scholarship Fund.12 Today, FALL/WINTER 2006