Fred Ols

He was born in 1930 in New Ulm, Minnesota. He served in the U.S. Navy and taught literature for many years in Japan.

A cousin introduced him to the writings of Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Fred returned to the Catholic Church, determined to make up for lost opportunities to evangelize a world in need of Christ.

He discovered Thomas Aquinas College in an article in First Things. Students became his focus and love.

"Because I did not well evangelize my own family," Fred once said, "I think of your students as my children."

Fred and Carol created their legacy by establishing an endowment to provide financial aid to Thomas Aquinas College's students. Their legacy lives on through these students.