W&J
class notes
Frederick J. Frank, Ph.D. (1920-2013) Cherished dean, educator and mentor D Dedicating 38 years of service to Washington & Jefferson College, Frederick J. Frank, Ph.D., who passed away Jan. 20, 2013, at age P 92, never missed an opportunity to improve 9 tthe lives of W&J students and demonstrate his llove and loyalty for the College. “Fred Frank was a ‘J’ man,” former President “ Howard Burnett said. “He loved the College and H tthe students and worked tirelessly to serve them.” Dr. Frank joined the W&J faculty as a psychology D professor in 1947 before entering a career in p administration in 1952, serving as director of Dr. Fred Frank admissions, dean of student personnel and dean of institutional planning. He retired as dean emeritus in 1985. During his time at W&J, Dr. Frank fostered the growth of student life and education at the College and contributed to the construction of 13 residence halls, The Commons and Olin Fine Arts Center. When W&J became co-educational in 1970, he effectively navigated the changing times by developing an environment sensitive to the needs of both male and female students. Ruth Riesenman, Ph.D., the College’s first female administrator, was hired by Dr. Frank to serve as the associate dean of students at the time. “Those ten years working at W&J with Fred are the most memorable of my 42-year career in higher education,” Riesenman said. “His warm and welcoming personality, and the twinkle in his eye as he teased you,
“Fred Frank was a ‘J’ man.”
defined him as a leader and made otherss eager to follow him.” In addition to leaving a 30-year legacy as dean of student personnel, Dr. Frank k also is credited with the enrollment of hundreds of W&J students in his role as director of admissions. “Fred was responsible for my attending W&J,” said Alan Weill ’59, who has known Dr. Frank for nearly 60 years. “His passing is a loss to all who knew and worked with him and to W&J.”
Frederick Frank dedicated 38 years of service to W&J.
For his dedication to the College, Dr. Frank was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree by W&J in 1986. The citation presented to Dr. Frank stated that his planning and perspective well positioned the College to meet the needs of future generations of W&J students. Nicholas J. Cavoti, Ph.D., professor and chair of psychology, remembers the dean as a great mentor and friend. I found Fred to be a man you could count on,” Cavoti said. “A man you could count on for straight advice, a man you could count on for help when you needed it and, perhaps best of all, a man you could count on to encourage you to be your best at every challenge.” In his personal life, the World War II veteran pursued his love of aviation as a private pilot and acted in several regional theater productions. Dr. Frank’s son, T. Scott Frank ’71, followed in his father’s footsteps by working at W&J as an associate professor of theatre and communication. Memorial contributions in honor of Dr. Frank and his late wife Jeanne may be directed to the Frederick J. Frank and Frances Jeanne Frank Prize for Leadership in Communication Arts.
– HOWARD BURNETT, FORMER PRESIDENT
the Washington Hospital School of Nursing and Community College of Allegheny County, where she attained the rank of full professor and was appointed interim dean of life sciences. She is the wife of the late Frederick J. Frank, Ph.D., dean emeritus of W&J, and mother of T. Scott Frank ’71, associate professor of theater and communication at W&J. Arthur W. Hopper Jr., Osceola, Ind., died May 14, 2012, at age 88. He worked for The Associates for 28 years, where he served as a regional manager. During WWII, Mr. Hopper served as a glider pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was one of the first successful pilots to land in France on D-Day. Elizabeth Dillman Johnson, Lakewood, Ohio, died May 23, 2012, at age 98. Mrs. Johnson and her late husband Warren Johnson ’35 funded the Elizabeth & Warren Johnson Memorial Scholarship. Duane L. Lantz, Saltsburg, Pa., died Aug. 5, 2012, at age 68. Joining the W&J community in 1971, he served in various administrative positions, retiring in 2000. Mr. Lantz began
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his career at W&J as an accountant, later serving as a director of financial affairs and evening instructor for the department of business administration and economics. He was promoted to vice president for business and finance and, after his retirement, was appointed vice president emeritus of business and finance. Orestes Panagotacos, Port St. Lucie, Fla., died July 21, 2012, at age 88. He attended W&J and was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. Mr. Panagotacos served in the U.S. Army during WWII. Col. Carl R. Rotz, Washington, Pa., died Oct. 25, 2012, at age 95. He held several comptroller positions in the U.S. Army, ending his three decades of service as comptroller of the finance center at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Lawrence, Ind. Following his retirement in 1971, he served as vice president for business and finance at W&J, retiring in 1982 with emeritus status. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII, earning several military honors. Richard R. Snyder, Bloomington, Ill., died Nov. 3, 2012, at age 88. He and his wife owned and
operated two Snyder Market grocery stores before retiring in 1976. Mr. Snyder served in the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII, attaining the rank of sergeant. He trained at W&J as a classification specialist. August R. Specht Jr., Grass Valley, Calif., died May 26, 2012, at age 87. He worked as the general manager of the prison industry authority, retiring in 1983. He attended W&J as part of the Army Specialized Training program and served in the U.S. Army during WWII. John Ralph Thomas, Washington, Pa., died Oct. 14, 2012, at the age of 74. He worked at W&J for 37 years, retiring as maintenance supervisor. Mr. Thomas was a U.S. Army veteran. Juliana J. Uram, Washington, Pa., died June 29, 2012, at the age of 87. She had worked as an administrator at Butler Hospital. Involved in numerous clubs and philanthropic organizations, Mrs. Uram was president of the Women’s Auxiliary at W&J.