Bellarmine University's President, Dr. Joseph J. McGowan, made this statement on the passing of Louisville businessman and philanthropist Owsley Brown Frazier:
On behalf of our Board of Trustees and the Bellarmine community, Maureen and I were deeply saddened to hear that our beloved friend, Owsley Brown Frazier, has passed away. Owsley’s association with our institution began in 1988, and our campus and academic life have been substantially transformed through our ongoing relationship with him.

Shortly after I became Bellarmine’s president, he agreed to chair our board, where he served with great distinction and vision. Over the years, we honored his service whenever possible, “knighting” him as our first Bellarmine Knight, and awarding him an honorary degree. Speaking personally, I knew Owsley to be an exceptional human being – a brilliant, sensitive and loving man who had a very generous spirit, and a passion for education, in particular the liberal arts. He liked to win and succeed, and he did everything he could to help others find success -- across our city, our commonwealth and our nation.

Our hearts go out to his daughters, Laura Frazier and Catherine Frazier Joy, and their families. We share their grief over the loss of a truly wonderful person.


Additionally, Dr. McGowan wrote this op-ed piece about Mr. Frazier in The Courier-Journal.