Dan Otchere gives back to honour his late wife
Concordia economics professor Dan Otchere’s donation to the Library Endowment Fund was his way to honour his late wife and her love of the library, where she was employed for 24 years until her death in 2004.
“Libraries are the heartbeat of an educational institution and our libraries here are no different,” Otchere said. He added that in addition to his donation, he established the annual Freda Otchere Staff Recognition Award for a libraries staff person who shares the values exemplified by Freda. “She was an exceptional woman: vital, a source of strength and a consummate professional.”
President Fred Lowy spoke at an event held March 7 in the Webster Library to mark the occasion. Lowy thanked Otchere for his gift and said that the libraries are central to Concordia in many ways.
“And it’s wonderful that Dr. Otchere’s gift recognizes the importance and quality of the library staff,” Lowy said. University Librarian Gerald Beasley echoed the sentiment. “I know how many library staff will be meriting this award,” Beasley said. “I feel very inspired by the donation.”
Otchere, who has been a professor at Concordia for 38 years, was joined at the ceremony by about three dozen guests. Among them were Dan and Freda Otchere’s children, Sophia and Kwabena, who is also on the Concordia Libraries staff.
Related links:
• Giving to Concordia
• Dan Otchere
• Libraries