The Lake Forest College Department of Athletics is proud to announce that the 2021 Forester Impact Award honorees will be the late Jean Whyte Mohr '52 and Frank Mohr Jr. '52. The award will be presented to members of their family at the Athletic Recognition Ceremony during the College's Homecoming Weekend, October 1-2.
"Frank and Jean have long been extremely engaged alumni and generous supporters and friends of the College and Forester Athletics," noted Lake Forest College Vice President for Athletics and Career Advancement Jackie Slaats. "They were a welcome presence on our campus, cheering on our student-athletes at home contests, working out in the Sports and Recreation Center, and regularly attending graduation ceremonies and other College events. Additionally, Jean served on our Alumni Board and Board of Trustees and became a Life Trustee in 1986. Frank and Jean have also made numerous contributions that have impacted the growth and success of Forester Athletics. Beyond personally encouraging students from across the country to attend the College and providing mentorship to them along the way, they made generous donations to several facility enhancements and programs across campus. I am so pleased we are able to honor them with this year's Forester Impact Award and grateful their children and grandchildren, who in many ways grew up on our campus, will be here to accept it on their behalf."
Following the Athletic Recognition Ceremony will be the official dedication of Mohr Field, the Department of Athletics' most recent enhancement. Having always been a proponent of the sport of lacrosse, Jean and Frank were instrumental in the recent addition of varsity women's lacrosse and restoration of the men's program, which had been discontinued in 1994. Their generosity enabled the College to install artificial turf on the entire area south of Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse, which is now capable of hosting lacrosse, softball, and soccer contests and practices. The venue was named Mohr Field in their honor and the lacrosse teams have begun competing this year. The Mohr Student Center on Middle Campus also bears their name, as does the Mohr Lobby in Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse, where their grandson Scotty played for the Winter Club and Falcons Hockey Association.
The Mohrs' loyalty and longtime commitment to athletics at the College has placed them on a prestigious list of Forester Impact award recipients. They join previous honorees Karen Herman (2014), Spike Gummere (2015), Paula Dau '58 (2016), Bob Tiernan '47 (2017), and Tom Franke '63 (2018).
The Forester Impact Award honors individuals who have significantly affected athletics at Lake Forest College through their loyal support and whose consistent and meritorious commitment has contributed to the success of Forester Athletics. More specifically, it is one of two appreciation honors sponsored by the Forester Athletic Network (F.A.N. Club), with the Golden Whistle Award being the other. The purpose of these awards is to recognize members of the Forester community who, over a significant number of years, have actively supported athletics at Lake Forest College through their service, dedication, and commitment and, who by giving of themselves, have demonstrated the extraordinary spirit and pride associated with Forester Athletics and its Tradition of Excellence.
For more information about the Athletic Recognition Ceremony or the F.A.N. Club, please contact Associate Director of Athletics Blake Theisen at 847-735-6155 or theisen@lakeforest.edu.