Remembering our fallen alumnus, Fred J. Cox, on the 20th Anniversary of September 11th

Early in life, before finding his way to the Eller College of Management and McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship, before landing a Wall Street career, and before the events of 9/11 that took his life, Fred J. Cox, “Freddy” to his dad, had a sink-or-swim, bootstrap business education: he sold books door to door. Anyone in sales will tell you that cold-calling—reaching out to sell something to someone who doesn’t know you and has expressed zero interest in your product—is demoralizing. For most who try, it’s a barely tolerable way to spend lots of time making very little money. But not for Fred.

After graduating from the Eller College with a bachelor’s in entrepreneurship in 1997, this charismatic and determined young man quickly accomplished his goals of launching into a successful business career, but just four years later, while living in New York City, he lost his life. What began as an ordinary work day at Sandler O’Neill & Partners, whose offices were on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center’s south tower, ended for him in the 9/11 attacks. Fred’s death inspired family, friends and educators to honor his outstanding character with an endowed scholarship created in 2018.

"People choose different paths and lives. They can go through the McGuire Center and become an artist. As long as they do what they have a great passion for, and do it with energy and integrity.” - Fred O. Cox, father of Fred J. Cox

The generous gifts received throughout this campaign will support the Frederick J. Cox Endowment that annually rewards outstanding students with a focus on entrepreneurship. This scholarship honors the qualities that not only made young Fred a rock star salesman but also a distinguished Eller alumnus with a coveted career: drive, brio, grit.