Frank Franz, whose 16-year tenure as president at the University of Alabama in Huntsville is the longest in the school’s history, has died. UAH interim President Charles Karr announced Franz’s passing Tuesday in an email to the UAH community.
Karr said Franz died on Aug. 4 after a long illness.
Franz led UAH from 1991 to 2007 as he oversaw a period of dramatic capital growth on the urban campus as well as a restructuring of academic programs. One of two residence halls constructed during his presidency has been named for Franz.
A centerpiece building at the UAH campus, Shelby Center for Science and Technology, was completed near the end of Franz’s tenure. Five fraternity and sorority houses were also built on the campus as well as plans being conceived for a baseball, softball and soccer complex.
The two residence halls on the north end of campus provided living space for 547 students.
The campus also saw the additions of Olin B. King Technology Hall, Shelbie King Hall, an expansion to the library, the expansion of the university food service area and the addition of the University Fitness Center.
Franz was also credited with strengthening the school’s core academic programs and improving student recruitment and retention as well as improving the school’s financial situation.
Franz was a native of Philadelphia and, prior to arriving at UAH, worked as provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research at West Virginia University in Morgantown from 1985 to 1991.
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