Mark and Niki Frost with Rochester Christian University President, Dr. Brian Stogner, and Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations, Luke Fleer.

Rochester Christian University has established an annual award to honor those who have modeled sacrificial service and philanthropic generosity to others in support of the institution. 

In recognition of their philanthropic spirit and commitment to the Rochester Christian University community, this year’s award is presented to Mark and Niki Frost. 

Niki, formerly Schafsnitz, graduated from Michigan Christian College in 1972. Her grandparents, James and Bessie Gallaher, were active in the formation of North Central Christian College, now known as Rochester Christian University. Gallaher Center, where the Development and Alumni Relations office is housed, was named after her grandparents in 1973. Niki, along with her mother and grandmother, are lifelong members of the Ladies Associates, a group of women who raised millions of dollars for the university between 1959 and 2013. Niki met her late husband, David Kirkpatrick at MCC. They were married for 36 years before David’s death in 2009 from cancer. Both were educators in the Lapeer Community School District. Her daughter, Katie Kirkpatrick, attended Rochester College and was a member of the women’s basketball team from 2002 until her death in 2005 after a long battle with brain cancer. Niki established the Kirkpatrick Family Scholarship through the Rochester Christian University Foundation in honor of David and Katie in 2016. 

Mark is a former preacher who preached at the Trenton Church of Christ from 1978 to 2012. He currently serves as one of the elders for Rochester Church of Christ, a position he began this year. Mark also taught bible classes as an adjunct professor for Rochester Christian University as well as serving as the teen director at Michigan Christian Youth Camp. He was married to his late wife, Cheryl, for 40 years. 

Mark and Niki have been married since 2013 and are celebrating their 10th anniversary this upcoming December. The couple resides in Lake Orion, where they live throughout the winter, and have a summer home on Lake Huron in Greenbush, Michigan. They both made a naming gift in honor of Katie in 2016 by naming the women’s locker room in the Garth Pleasant Arena. Mark and Niki are also a part of the RCU Heritage Society with a planned gift through their trust to Rochester Christian University. 

Rochester Christian University is proud to honor Mark and Niki Frost with the Philanthropist of the Year award for their dedication to the institution, generosity and servant leadership.