Fred Gretsch

Fred Gretsch

Term of Award

Spring 2023

Degree Name

Doctor of Fine Arts

Institution Issuing the Honorary Degree

Georgia Southern University

Brief Biography of Degree Recipient

Fred Gretsch was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Georgia Southern University in the Spring of 2023. Mr. Gretsch is the Owner and fourth-generation President of Gretsch, a musical instrument manufacturing company founded in Brooklyn in 1883 by his great-grandfather Friedrich Gretsch. Fred Gretsch began working for the family business in the 1960’s until it was sold to Baldwin Piano Company. He founded a musical instruments wholesale business until he was able to repurchase the family business in 1984.

Fred, along with his wife and fellow Honorary Doctorate holder Dinah, are iconic figures in the music industry. Their guitars have been used by musical legends like George Harrison of the Beatles, Bo Diddley and Elvis Presley. They are also heavily involved in music advocacy and education. In 2021, the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music opened at Georgia Southern University. The Gretsches provided funding as well as historical instruments and company archives to the school. Gretsch instruments are housed at the Great Gretsch Sound! Museum in downtown Savannah. The Gretsch Archival Records documenting the history of the Gretsch Company are housed within the Special Collections at Georgia Southern University Libraries. More information about the Gretsch School of Music can be found at The Fred and Dinah Grestch School of Music.

Keywords

Georgia Southern University, Honorary Degree, Doctor of Fine Arts

Fred Gretsch

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