A celebration was held for Stetson’s University Chaplain Michael Fronk on Jan. 21, 2016, in which the Stetson community dedicated a room in the Athletic Training Center to Fronk, naming it the “Fronk Offence Staff Room.”
Known for his for passionate (and admittedly boisterous) love of Stetson football, Rev. Fronk—or “Chap”—impacted Stetson both on the field as a player and off the field as a friend.
Roger Hughes, head Stetson football coach, noted that Rev. Fronk was a part of the team, as Hughes recited the team chant to honor the Chaplain: “One heart, one spirit, one Stetson.”
“Stetson is a special place,” said Rev. Fronk to an emotional audience. “As a student, it was a place I was lucky to get into.”

Jeffrey Hahn, political science senior and Student Government Association president was among those friends, recalling his first interaction with the Chaplain while working in the CUB frontdesk. “I’d always wanted to speak with him, but never could do it.
“He pulled out a huge bag of candy from his bag, looked at me and said, ‘if anyone ever asks, you and me, we’re like this,’” said Hahn, crossing his fingers.

Rev. Fronk’s humor was the center of the celebration where the walls were covered his sayings—or “Chapisms”—filling rooms laughter. His most iconic, said at the benediction of President Libby’s inauguration: “let the party continue.”

“You taught us to laugh when we thought we couldn’t laugh again,” said Rina Tovar Arroyo, assistant vice president for the office of development, and whose wedding was officiated by the Chaplain. “The one to say a joke at the end of a prayer.”
For his spiritual intellect, Rev. Fronk was described as a “Chaplain for all,” respecting the value of multiple tenets of faith, even coming to the Buddhist faith himself alongside his Baptist values.

“Today we celebrate your legacy, and that is a legacy of love.” said Rina Tovar Arroyo. “You are a chaplain to all.”