Frostburg—Dr. Ronald H. Nowaczyk, 73, of Frostburg, president of Frostburg State University, educator, mentor, friend and beloved husband and father, died on Friday, January 31, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.

Born August 20, 1951, to Frances (Lacny) and Henry Nowaczyk, Ron grew up on the south side of Chicago, Illinois, in an area known as “back of the yards” with his three brothers surrounded by a close-knit Polish family and neighborhood. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Nowaczyk.

Receiving a scholarship to attend St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago provided many opportunities for Ron. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northwestern University and a master’s and Ph.D. in psychology from Miami University (OH).

Ron became the 15th president of Frostburg State University in 2016. He noted that leading FSU for the past nine years was the honor and privilege of his career and remembered his time at Frostburg as the highlight of his life’s work. Prior to FSU, Ron served in numerous positions in higher-education administration, including provost and vice president for academic affairs at Clarion University of Pennsylvania (2011-2016); dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of New Haven (2006-2011); associate vice chancellor for economic and community development at East Carolina University (2003-2006); and chair of ECU’s Department of Psychology (1998-2003). He also served as an American Council on Education Fellow at the University of Delaware (2001-2002).

Before taking on roles in administration, Ron began as a faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Clemson University in 1977, where he remained in a succession of faculty positions through 1998. A passionate educator, he continued to teach throughout his administrative career.

Beyond academia, Ron served as human factors research consultant at AT&T Bell Laboratories from 1989 to 1990, and as a visiting scientist at the Institute for Computer Applications in Science and Engineering at NASA Langley Research Center in 1997. 

Ron always made time to serve his local community and the broader higher education community. His driving purpose—to serve as a bridge, ensuring that the presence of these organizations and partnerships extended meaningfully to Western Maryland. He served on the boards of directors for: Maryland Humanities, where he was Finance Committee Chair and Treasurer then board chair; the Bishop Walsh School, where he was board chair; Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, where he was board chair; and on the education committees for the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Cumberland Committee (TGCC). On a regional and national level, he was commissioner on the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), board chair for Transform MidAtlantic, president of the board for the Mountain East Conference, and a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Committee on Sustainable Development.

Ron will be remembered for his zest for life and his infectious humor, as a good storyteller and an eternally upbeat, curious and caring person with seemingly boundless energy. He found cooking to be a relaxing way to end the day, always experimenting with various recipes. He was a train enthusiast and spent countless hours creating a sizeable model train layout that included favorite spots from his childhood and places representing the interests of his friends throughout his lifetime. Ron was an avid golfer and enjoyed hitting the links with friends. An author, he was a voracious reader especially of biographies and a good mystery/thriller. Most of all he enjoyed spending time and traveling with his family. He was most proud of his son, Jake.

Ron is survived by his wife of 23 years, Maureen Lavan; son, Michael “Jake” Nowaczyk; brothers, Richard Nowaczyk and wife Maureen, and Raymond Nowaczyk. He is remembered by Thomas Lavan, Sr., Catherine Lavan, Thomas Lavan, Joseph Lavan and wife Michele. Ron is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

To celebrate Ron’s life, a memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron’s name may be made to the Ronald H. Nowaczyk Scholarship Fund at Frostburg State University, 101 Braddock Road, Frostburg, MD 21532.

Contributions can also be made online at: https://give.frostburg.edu/ronald-h-nowaczyk-scholarship/?a=9482958