On The Move - Winter 2020

IN TRIBUTE
IN TRIBUTE TO
DR. DANIEL FRIESEN
By Dr. Constance Lacy
Dean, School of Human Services
Dr. Daniel Friesen
Dr. Constance Lacy
On October 23, 2020, Dr. Daniel Friesen,
who served as the assistant dean of
the School of Business and tenured
associate professor of business, passed
away suddenly.
We are deeply saddened by his passing,
as he was known to many as the voice of
UNT Dallas.
I had the privilege of working with Daniel
over the last 15 years. We started our
tenure here in July 2006 when the very
young UNT Dallas was located off Hampton
Road. We were both hired as Coordinators
for our respective programs and were
“My favorite thing he would say
as he walked out of the office to
go teach a class was, ‘Dena, I’m
going to stomp out ignorance.”
commissioned to help grow the university
to an enrollment of 1,500 students. We all
had to share an office with at least two
other people because the campus was so
small. It was like having college roommates.
Over the years I learned that Daniel loved
music, travel, and “whatever his wife Janine
was interested in.” We specifically talked
about her love for art and jewelry…which
happens to be two of my favorite topics.
As the university grew, so did opportunities
for leadership. Daniel and I served as
Division Directors and shared what was
known as the Dean’s suite in Building One.
Daniel’s office was in the back facing the
west. You could often hear him singing, and
if you stepped in, you’d find him working
on his computer with his cap or visor on
in an effort to block the sun. No matter
the circumstances or situations, Daniel
always had a calming presence. He was
full of jokes, movie quotes, a song or some
silly anecdote. Daniel’s leadership will be
greatly missed at all levels from Faculty
Alliance President, to University Curriculum
Committee Chair, to the Assistant Dean of
the School of Business.
Daniel was the kind of person who got along
with everyone and he knew no strangers.
He was witty and comical, and just an allaround
good guy. He never seemed to be
in a rush or particularly moved by much of
anything. Some knew him as a funny man,
a dynamic boss, a mentor, and the best
professor on campus.
We will forever cherish the impact and
legacy of Dr. Friesen. He had a way of
making all of us feel important, including
students. I want to quote the statement his
administrative coordinator,
Dena Hale, made.
“My favorite thing he would say as he
walked out of the office to go teach a class
was, ‘Dena, I’m going to stomp
out ignorance.”
The biggest lesson we can learn from
the loss of Dr. Friesen is to live life in the
moment; enjoy the journey; laugh often; be
supportive; be willing to listen and know
that you have an opportunity to change
your world one person at a time, one
colleague at a time, one student at a time,
one friend at a time.
6 ON THE MOVE | WINTER 2020