Why I Give: The Arnson Family
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Giving back has always run in the Arnson family. Now, Jon Arnson and his four siblings are ensuring this family tradition will endure.
The five brothers established the Arnson Family Scholarship as a tribute to their mother, Frieda (Fritzie) Arnson, BA ’48.
“Our father started a scholarship at Michigan State that has changed many lives over the years,” shares Jon, BBA ’81. “We thought it was high time we supported our mother’s alma mater.
“Mom earned her way through Western by working during the summers,” he says. “She was so proud of her social work degree, especially since she was able to get a job right after graduation in the field she studied.”
Fritzie first worked as a social worker with Muskegon County’s probate court, guiding children through the system. She also met her future husband, Don, in Muskegon. Don was a teacher and coach at Muskegon High School and the couple married in December 1950. Their five sons were born between November 1952 and December 1958, with Jon and his twin being the youngest.
When the youngest of the sons left for college in 1977, Fritzie put her college degree back to work again, becoming a coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters-Muskegon. Her passion for helping youth in the county where she had built her life—working, marrying and raising her children—was as strong as ever.
In that same spirit, the Arnson Family Scholarship supports the area Fritzie and her family call home. Arranged as an endowment, the scholarship will pay the full tuition of an incoming first-year student from Muskegon County every year in perpetuity.
“Our hope is that the recipient will use their talents at WMU and become a great Bronco,” Jon adds, “just like our mother, Fritzie.”
Our family has always believed a college education gives you the tools you need to be as successful as you can be in life. Western gave us those tools, and we want to help others receive the same foundation.
Leading the Bronco giving charge
This past June, all five of her sons surprised her with the news of the Arnson Family Scholarship at the Chelsea Retirement Community in Chelsea, Michigan, where she lives. “We wanted to honor Mom in her 98th year for the values of family and education she instilled in us,” Jon says.
Fritzie and Don emphasized the importance of higher education throughout their children’s upbringing, a lesson that shaped their life accomplishments. Jon began studying business at Western, and by his sophomore year, he decided to work to cover the cost of his education. Earning a two-year ROTC scholarship, he graduated with a business degree in data processing/management and a minor in military science. He then served nearly six years as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army and went on to retire from a career marketing and selling lithium products.
Tom, the oldest of the Arnson sons and another proud WMU alum, received a full Paper Technology Foundation scholarship. While pursuing his studies, he gained hands-on experience working in local paper mills, eventually graduating in 1974 with dual degrees in chemistry and pulp and paper science. He later earned a doctorate from Lawrence University and built a career as a paper engineer at well-known companies including Kodak and International Paper.
The other Arnson brothers are also college grads: Charlie from Grand Rapids Community College, Eric from the University of Michigan and Jan from Michigan State University.
“Our family has always believed a college education gives you the tools you need to be as successful as you can be in life,” Jon says. “Western gave us those tools, and we want to help others receive the same foundation.”
Beyond the financial benefit, the Arnson family’s gift is about fostering a sense of community and belonging. For Fritzie, family isn’t just about blood; it’s about the broader connections we build.
“Being part of a college community is like being part of an extended family. Broncos are part of the WMU family,” Jon says.
“With this scholarship, we want students of Muskegon County to know there are Western graduates who’ve come before them, willing to put their support right back into their own communities,” he continues. “Then maybe one day they’ll pay it forward to where they come from, too.”
When recalling his time at Western, Jon acknowledges the University’s unique ability to prepare students for success, regardless of their desired career path.
“Many students, me included, might not know exactly what they want to do when they start out,” he says, “but WMU has the programs and will give you the building blocks to get you where you need to go.”
The Arnson family’s story is one of love, Bronco pride and the transformative power of education. Their scholarship not only commemorates their mother and their family name but also creates a ripple effect of generosity that will empower students at WMU to achieve their dreams for years to come.
“Whether you’re a Fritzie ’48, a Tom ’74 or a Jon ’81, remember that giving back can start small,” Jon says, “because something small can grow into something big.” ■