The John Cabot University community is saddened to announce the passing of Trustee Emeritus, the Honorable Frederick “Freck” Vreeland, following a life marked by public service and outstanding achievements.
For many years, the Hon. Vreeland was a distinguished member of the Board of Trustees of John Cabot University, which greatly benefited from his support and wise counsel.
Frederick Dalziel Vreeland was born on June 24, 1927, the son of fashion editor Diana Vreeland and banker Thomas Reed Vreeland. An American career diplomat and writer, his final appointment was as United States Ambassador to Morocco. He served in the United States Navy Reserve from 1945 to 1947 before attending Yale University.
As a foreign service and political officer during the Cold War, the Hon. Vreeland helped shape pivotal global events, serving under several U.S. Presidents, from Harry S. Truman to George W. Bush. His memoir, Please Call Me Freck, recounts four decades of public service and personal encounters with iconic figures, including presidents, popes, and cultural luminaries.
One of the most famous moments in his career and a highlight of his impactful life was inventing the phrase "Ich bin ein Berliner” (“I am a Berliner”) and suggesting it to his friend President John F. Kennedy in preparation for Kennedy’s visit to Berlin on June 26, 1963, twenty-two months after Soviet-occupied East Germany erected the Berlin Wall.
The Hon. Vreeland, who served as Vice President of JCU from 1989 to 1991, played a pivotal role in relocating the University to its central location in Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood and helped secure the initial accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. As a Trustee, he championed the expansion of academic programs, including International Affairs, and contributed to the University’s increasingly diverse student body.
In 2019, a generous donation by Vreeland led to the creation of the Vanessa Somers Art Project. Named in honor of his late wife Vanessa, an accomplished artist and great friend of JCU, the project promotes the arts at John Cabot University.
During the 2024 JCU President’s Gala, the Hon. Vreeland was awarded the title of Trustee Emeritus in recognition of his outstanding contributions to John Cabot University.
“John Cabot University has long benefited from Freck’s insight and wisdom, and we will miss him terribly. On behalf of the entire JCU community, we would like to express our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Sandra, and the entire Vreeland family,” said JCU President Franco Pavoncello.
