Courtesy of Lincoln University of Missouri
Lincoln University of Missouri will dedicate a campus building to honor a former university president on April 21. The event will commemorate the renaming of Founders Hall to Dr. James Frank Hall.
The LU Board of Curators voted last November to rename the hall that primarily houses Lincoln’s science and agriculture classes after Frank, the only LU alumnus to serve as university president. Frank graduated with honors from Lincoln in 1953 with a degree in physical education. He served as university president from 1973 to 1982.
Frank was an exceptional leader who worked tirelessly to raise the profile of Lincoln and secure stable funding for the university. During his nearly 10-year tenure, he supervised major renovations to campus buildings such as Young Hall, Mitchell Hall, Jason Hall and Schweich Hall, as well as the President’s Residence. Frank spearheaded construction of Lincoln’s Small Animal Research Facility, Thompkins Health Center, the shipping and receiving building and a new utility distribution system. He also reorganized the entire LU academic program into three separate colleges, resulting in approximately $500,000 savings for the university. His leadership led to a period of sound financial planning and stability for Lincoln with 4.2% enrollment growth from 1973 to 1984.
In 1981 Frank became president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the first African American and first college president in that post — a significant accomplishment for the prestige of both HCBUs and NCAA Division II schools.
Following his time at Lincoln, Frank continued to serve the university through the Lincoln University Foundation, becoming a leader in fundraising. He led the charge to pay off a $750,000 shortfall to complete the $2 million Soldiers Memorial dedicated to the founders of Lincoln, emancipated Black soldiers from the 62nd and 65th regiments of the United States Colored Infantries. The two-year campaign included a $50,000 donation from Dr. Frank’s class of 1953. When Lincoln tore down Memorial Hall and built a new one, Frank led the fundraising for that project as well. Over the course of his life, he contributed $300,000 to Lincoln in personal gifts.
Frank, who passed away in 2019, received many awards and accolades for his commitment to education and collegiate sports. He was inducted into 10 halls of fame, including Lincoln’s ROTC, Alumni and Athletic Halls of Fame.
The dedication ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 21, at Dr. James Frank Hall, 816 Chestnut Street, in Jefferson City. The event is free and open to the public.
