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Fall 1997, Vol. 60, No. 1

William V. Frame--Augsburg's 10th President

By the Augsburg News Service and Betsey Norgard, Augsburg Now Editor

For the first time in its 128-year history, Augsburg College's president does not have a Scandinavian name.

On August 4, Dr. William V. Frame took office as Augsburg's 10th president, after being elected unanimously by the Board of Regents at their May 30 meeting. He came to Augsburg from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., where he was vice president for finance and operations.

"We are delighted with the selection of William Frame as Augsburg's new president. We believe he carries all the qualities of leadership and passion for our mission that will make him a worthy successor to Charles Anderson," said Board Chair Barbara C. Gage following the board meeting. "We are excited to move ahead with Dr. Frame into the next successful chapter in Augsburg's history."

Frame was born in Philadelphia in 1938 and raised in southeastern Ohio. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in political science from the University of Hawaii in 1962 and 1964 and his doctorate in political science in 1969 at the University of Washington.

Frame began teaching political science as an instructor at Kenyon College in Ohio in 1967. He taught there until 1980, rising through the academic ranks, gaining tenure and becoming chair of the department.

Between 1981 and 1992, his career took a turn into the business sector. During that time he was a banker and officer with the First National Bank of Chicago and vice president and corporate treasurer of Tonka Corporation in Minneapolis.

In 1993 Frame returned to higher education. At Pacific Lutheran University he was a principal architect and implementer of "PLU 2000," that institution's current strategic plan. During his four-year tenure, Frame was instrumental in eliminating the university's $4.3 million debt four years ahead of schedule. He guided the university to its first bond rating which led to the successful refinancing of PLU's long-term debt and co-authored the university's first comprehensive long-range plan.

Frame has a deep commitment to what he calls, "the remarkable tradition of Lutheran higher education." In 1993 he was invited to address the annual conference of academic deans of Lutheran colleges and universities on the topic of "The Competitive Advantage of Lutheran Liberal Education."

Frame succeeds Charles S. Anderson, Augsburg's president since 1980, who retired at the end of July.

The four-month search process for a new president was carried out by a committee, chaired by Regent Kathy Tunheim, which included 12 other members representing various sectors of the Augsburg community.

The inauguration of William V. Frame will take place on Oct. 11, during Homecoming Weekend.