Frank Rose

Frank Anthony Rose (born October 16, 1920 in in Meridian, Mississippi; died February 1, 1991 in Washington D.C.) was an educator, physician and the president of the University of Alabama from 1958 to 1969. It was during his term that the University admitted its first African-American students.

Rose's father died in 1930 and he worked plowing, picking cotton and delivering soft drinks to earn enough money to attend college. He completed a bachelor of arts in philosophy at Transylvania College in Kentucky and a bachelor of divinity at Lexington Theological Seminary, then pursued graduate studies at the University of London. He was ordained a minister in the Disciples of Christ Church. In 1945 he returned to Transylvania College as a philosophy professor, and was named president of the college in 1951.

In 1958 Rose moved to Tuscaloosa to accept the presidency of the University of Alabama. During his 11-year tenure he worked to increase student enrollment and faculty appointments, and to increase the institution's financial endowment and operating budget. The school's academic status also improved under Rose, with more qualified faculty and stricter admittance standards. He supported scholarly programs and recognitions for outstanding students.

Preceded by: James Newman

President of the University of Alabama 1958–1969

Succeeded by: David Mathews

References

• Flint, Peter B. (February 4, 1991) "Frank Rose, U. of Alabama Chief During Racial Turmoil, Dies at 70." The New York Times