James A. Frost

American University President

James A. Frost

1st President of the Connecticut State University System
In office
December 9, 1983 – October 1, 1985
Governor| William A. O'Neill
Succeeded by| Dallas K. Beal
Executive Director of the Connecticut State University System
In office
October 2, 1972 – December 8, 1983[a]
Governor| Ella Grasso
Preceded by| J. Eugene Smith
Personal details
Born|

James Arthur Frost

(1918-05-15)May 15, 1918
Manchester, England
Died| March 16, 2017(2017-03-16) (aged 98)
Simsbury, Connecticut, U.S.
Spouse|

* Elsie Mae Lorenz,

(m. 1942; died 2003)​

Children| 3
Parent(s)| Harry Arthur Frost
Janet Florence Roberts Frost (née Wilson)
Education| Columbia University (BA, MA, PhD)
Signature|
Military service
Branch/service|  United States Air Force
Years of service| 1941-1964
Rank|  Lieutenant colonel
Unit|

* 3rd Air Division
* Twenty-Second Air Force

Battles/wars| World War II
Writing career
Genre| Historial
Notable works| Life On The Upper Susquehanna 1783–1860

James Arthur Frost (May 15, 1918 – March 16, 2017) was an American historian and university administrator who served as the vice-chancellor for the colleges of arts and science at the State University of New York and as president of the Connecticut State University System.[1][2][3] He received his B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University.[4] He taught at the University of New York College-Oneonta, and was the author of several books and many articles.[5]

## Early life and education

[edit]

Frost was born on May 15, 1918, in Manchester, England. He was the son of Rev. Harry Arthur Frost and Janet Florence Roberts Wilson Frost.[6] James Frost enrolled at Columbia University, earning his bachelor's degree in 1940. He continued his studies at Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, where he received his master's and doctoral degrees in American history. In 1993, he was honored with an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) degree from Southern Connecticut State University.[7]

## New York

[edit]

Frost has held administrative positions at the state colleges located in Oneonta and New Paltz, New York. 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.[8][9]

### State University of New York at Oneonta

[edit]

From 1947 to 1949, Frost taught American history at the State University of New York at Oneonta. He later served as the special assistant to the president, and on December 2, 1949, Frost was appointed Dean of the College.[10][11]

While at Oneonta, Dr. Frost was appointed to a Smith-Smudt professorship in American history at the University of Ceylon in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. He held this position from July 1959 until April 1960. During his sabbatical leave, Dr. Frost received a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, which allowed him to visit various American studies centers in Japan.[10]

### Teachers College, Columbia University

[edit]

In the summer of 1948, Dr. Frost taught American history at Teachers College, Columbia University.[10]

### State University of New York at New Paltz

[edit]

Dr. Frost was appointed interim president of the State University of New York at New Paltz after William J. Haggerty retired in late December 1966. Dr. Frost made significant personnel changes during this time and restructured various programs.[12]

### New York State Historical Association

[edit]

Dr. Frost was elected an honorary fellow of the New York State Historical Association and appointed to the College Entrance Examination Board's Committee on Research and Development.[13]

## Connecticut

[edit]

Frost led the 33,000-student system for 12 years,[14] significantly expanding academic programs and dormitory growth at Central Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut, Southern Connecticut, and Western Connecticut state universities.[15][16]

Governor Ella Grasso's Letter of August 16, 1978 Concerning science building construction at Southern Connecticut State College.[17]

Upon assuming his position, Frost identified that the programs offered across the four campuses were mainly centered on teacher education and liberal arts.[18][19]

Therefore, he oversaw the expansion of the educational initiatives to include courses in business administration, social work, computer science, and health science.[20] Frost played a critical role in transforming the four-year state colleges into a university system, which was implemented on March 1, 1983.[7]

Upon the announcement of his retirement individuals discussed the influence he had on the state. Later, a scholarship was established in his honor through the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Foundation.[21]

> ... 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[22]

### CSCU Commencement Addresses

[edit]

#### Western Connecticut State University

[edit]

On January 28, 1973, Dr. Frost delivered the commencement address to 157 undergraduate and 164 graduate students at Western Connecticut State University.[23]

#### Central Connecticut State University

[edit]

In 1984, Dr. Frost delivered the 134th commencement address at Central Connecticut State University to an audience of approximately 1800 graduating students.[24] During his speech, he emphasized

> ... The knowledge you have acquired here does not belong to you; you have an obligation to use it for all mankind because we are all the heirs of the past.[25]

### Robinson School, West Hartford

[edit]

#### Robinson Trustee Appointment

[edit]

In 1973, Dr. Frost, a resident of Simsbury, was appointed to serve on the board of trustees of the Robinson School in West Hartford, Connecticut. Dr. Frost filled the unexpired term previously held by the late Francis Hogan of Torrington Connecticut.[13]

#### Robinson Commencement Address

[edit]

In 1974, Dr. Frost delivered the commencement address to the 12th-grade students at Robinson School's 26th graduation ceremony, held at the West Hartford campus.[26] James T. O'Donnell and Theodore M. Smith were class speakers. C. Edward Lamson distributed diplomas.[27]

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Life On The Upper Susquehanna 1783-1860, James Arthur Frost; Published by King's Crown Press (1951)[28]
* A Short History of New York State, David M. Ellis; James Arthur Frost; Harold C. Syrett; Harry J. Carman; Published by Cornell University Press (1957)
* A History of New York State, David M. Ellis; James Arthur Frost; Harold C. Syrett; Harry J. Carman; Published by Cornell University Press (1967)
* A History of the United States: The Evolution of a Free People, James Arthur Frost; Published by Follett (1969)
* New York, the Empire State, David Maldwyn Ellis; James Arthur Frost; William Bertrand Fink; Published by Prentice Hall (1979), ISBN 0-136-20419-8
* The Establishment of Connecticut State University, 1965-1985: Notes and Reminiscences, Published by The Henry Barnard Foundation (1991)[29]
* The Country Club of Farmington, 1892-1995, James Arthur Frost; Published by Country Club of Farmington (1996), ISBN 0-914-65977-4

## Personal life

[edit]

Dr. Frost had at least three children with his wife, Elsie Frost.[30]

## See also

[edit]

* List of Connecticut State University System Presidents

Portals:

* Biography
* Connecticut
* New York

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The Board of Trustees changed the Executive Director's title to President through CSUS Resolution 85-149. Later, this title was changed to Chancellor.[1]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b State of Connecticut (5 October 1983). "Establishment of President of Connecticut State University System title" (PDF). ct.edu. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
2. ^ The Country Club of Farmington, 1892-1995. OCLC 33983571.
3. ^ "The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Foundation Awards 10 Scholarships". ct.edu. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
4. ^ "Simsbury Obituary: James Frost, 98". March 27, 2017.
5. ^ "Frost, James Arthur". worldcat.org. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
6. ^ Frost, James (1 January 2006). Life With Elsie. Plainville, Connecticut: The Briarwood Printing Co. p. 8. Retrieved 1 May 2025.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
7. ^ a b Howard, Susan (5 May 1984). "State University Chief To Retire After 12 Years". Hartford Courant. p. 13\. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
8. ^ The Country Club of Farmington, 1892-1995. OCLC 33983571.
9. ^ Sue, Joffe (10 May 1968). "Fretwell Installed as 7th President of Buffalo State". The Buffalo News. p. 1\. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
10. ^ a b c "Frost Given State Post". The Daily Star (Oneonta). 12 June 1964. p. 5\. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
11. ^ "Frost Gets $24,300 SUNY Post". The Daily Star (Oneonta). 9 April 1965. p. 5\. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
12. ^ "New Paltz College President Named". The Daily Star (Oneonta). 9 December 1966. p. 36\. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
13. ^ a b "Dr. Frost Appointed As Robinson Trustee". Hartford Courant. 19 August 1973. p. 47\. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
14. ^ Coleman, A.R. (20 August 1978). "ECSC Low Teacher Ratio Admitted". Hartford Courant. p. 100\. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
15. ^ Coleman, A.R. (21 July 1978). "State Board To Inspect Dorm at ECSC". Hartford Courant. p. 95\. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
16. ^ Gorman, Kathleen (30 January 1982). "Attracting Top-Level Staff to Colleges". Hartford Courant. p. 15\. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
17. ^ Frost, James (September 1991). "The Establishment Of The Connecticut State University, 1965-85, Notes And Reminiscences". p. 81. Retrieved 10 July 2024 - via Internet Archive.`{{cite news}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
18. ^ "Role Change Spurs College Census". Hartford Courant. 5 June 1974. p. 3\. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
19. ^ Coleman, A.R. (18 April 1974). "Switch by Trustees Cancels Boycott". Hartford Courant. p. 86\. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
20. ^ "State's Colleges to Explore Joint Approach to Education". Connecticut Post. 7 June 1977. p. 2\. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
21. ^ Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (17 September 2017). "The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Foundation Awards 10 Scholarships". Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Foundation. Archived from the original on 9 May 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2025 - via ct.edu.
22. ^ Howard, Susan (5 May 1984). "State University Chief To Retire After 12 Years". Hartford Courant. p. 13\. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
23. ^ "WesConn To Conduct Graduation Jan. 28". Connecticut Post. 19 May 1984. p. 100\. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
24. ^ Yearwood, John (22 May 1984). "Central Connecticut Marks 134th Commencement". Hartford Courant. p. 25\. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
25. ^ Yearwood, John (19 May 1984). "Share What You've Learned, Grads Told". Hartford Courant. p. 100\. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
26. ^ "Dr. Frost to Address Robinson Graduates". Hartford Courant. 5 June 1974. p. 3\. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
27. ^ "Two Commencement Exercises Are Held By Robinson School". Hartford Courant. 7 June 1974. p. 215\. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
28. ^ Russ, William A. (September 1951). "Journal of American History, Volume 38, Issue 2, September 1951, Pages 311–312". Journal of American History. 38 (2): 311–312\. doi:10.2307/1895608. JSTOR 1895608.
29. ^ Lacey, James F. (1993). "Southern Connecticut State University: A Centennial History, 1893-1993, The Establishment of Connecticut State University, 1965-1985: Notes and Reminiscences, Volume 32, Issue 2, September Fall 1993, Pages 311–312". Connecticut History Review. 32 (2): 133–137\. doi:10.2307/44369369. Archived from the original on 2025-04-20. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
30. ^ "James A. Frost Obituary". Hartford Courant. 2017. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024 - via Internet Archive.

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* t
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Presidents of the Connecticut State University System

Presidents|

* Frost (1972–1985)
* Beal (1986–1994)
* Cibes, Jr (1995–2005)
* Meotti (interim, 2006–2011)
* Kennedy (2011–2012)
* Austin (interim, 2012–2013)
* Gray (2013–2015)
* Gates (interim, 2020–2021)
* Cheng (2021-present)

Authority control databases

International|

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