James A. Frost | |
---|---|
1st President of the Connecticut State University System | |
In office December 9, 1983 [1] – October 1, 1985 [2] | |
Governor | William A. O'Neill |
Succeeded by | Dallas K. Beal [3] |
Executive Director of Connecticut State University System [4] | |
In office 1972 – December 8, 1983 | |
Governor | Ella Grasso |
Preceded by | J. Eugene Smith [5] |
Personal details | |
Born | James Arthur Frost May 15, 1918 Manchester, England |
Died | March 16, 2017 Simsbury, Connecticut, U.S. | (aged 98)
Spouse(s) |
Elsie Mae Lorenz,
(
m. 1942; died 2003) |
Children | 3 |
Alma mater |
|
Profession | University President, Lieutenant colonel |
Awards | Rockefeller grantee, 1959 |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | |
Years of service | 1941-1946 |
Rank | |
James Arthur Frost was a historian who received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University. [6] He taught at the University of New York College-Oneonta and wrote several books and articles. Frost served as the Vice-Chancellor for the Colleges of Arts and Science at the State University of New York at Oneonta and the Connecticut State University System president. [7] There is a scholarship offered by the Connecticut State University System Foundation named after him. [8]
Frost attended Columbia University in 1940, earning a bachelor's degree. He continued at the Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, earning his master's and doctoral degrees in American history and education. [9]
Frost has held administrative positions at state colleges located in Oneonta and New Paltz, New York. Prior to coming to Connecticut, Frost served as the Provost for Academic Planning and Undergraduate Education and Vice-Chancellor for University Colleges at the State University of New York system. [10]
Frost led the 33,000-student system for 12 years and significantly expanded academic programs at Central Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut, Southern Connecticut, and Western Connecticut state universities.
Upon assuming his position, Frost identified that the programs offered across the four campuses were mainly centered on teacher education and liberal arts. Subsequently, he oversaw the expansion of the educational initiatives to include courses in business administration, social work, computer science, and health science.
Frost played a critical role in transforming the four-year state colleges into a university system, which was implemented on March 1, 1983. [11]
Upon the announcement of his retirement, individuals discussed the influence he had on the state.
... Mr. Frost has become a legend in his time for his work in organizing our four campuses into an effective university system that is now the largest in our state. — Lawrence J. Davidson, Chairman of the board of trustees
... His integrity in leadership and scholarship has greatly influenced the development of our state universities and the quality of programs they offer our students. — Gov. William A. O'Neill