James A. Frost

American University President

James A. Frost

Frost in 1984

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][4]
Executive Director of Connecticut State University System
In office
October 2, 1972[5] – December 8, 1983[6]
Governor| Ella Grasso
Preceded by| J. Eugene Smith[7]
Vice Chancellor at the State University of New York
In office
April 29, 1965 – 1972[8][9]
Preceded by| Dr. Clifford Craven
Dean at the State University of New York at Oneonta
In office
December 2, 1949 – April 28, 1965[10][11]
Preceded by| Dr. Albert E. Fitzelle
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(s)|

Elsie Mae Lorenz,

(m. 1942; died 2003)​

Children| 3, including Janet[12]
Alma mater|

* Columbia University:
Bachelor of Arts, 1940
* Master of Arts, 1941
* Doctor of Philosophy, 1949

Profession| University President, Lieutenant colonel
Awards| Rockefeller grantee, 1959
Signature|
Military service
Allegiance| United States
Branch/service|

* US Air Force
* US Army

Years of service| 1941-1961
Rank|

* Lieutenant colonel
* Major

James Arthur Frost was a historian who received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University.[8] He taught at the University of New York College-Oneonta and wrote several books and articles. Frost served as the Vice-Chancellor for four-year State University of New York and then the Connecticut State University System president.[13] There is a scholarship offered by the Connecticut State University System Foundation named after him.[14][15]

## Education[edit]

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.[7]

## Academic career[edit]

### New York[edit]

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.[16][17]

#### State University of New York at Oneonta[edit]

From 1947 to 1949, he taught American history at the State University of New York at Oneonta. Following this, he was the special assistant to the president, and on December 2, 1949, Frost was appointed Dean of the College.[12][10]

While at Oneonta, Dr. Frost earned a Smith-Smudt professorship in American history at the University of Ceylon in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, a position held from July 1959 to April 1960. While on sabbatical leave, Dr. Frost visited American studies centers in Japan on a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation.[12]

#### Teacher's College, Columbia University[edit]

In the summer of 1948, Dr. Frost taught American history at Teachers College at Columbia University.[12]

#### State University of New York at New Paltz[edit]

Dr. Frost was appointed as the interim president of the State University of New York at New Paltz after William J. Haggerty retired in late December 1966. During this time, Dr. Frost implemented significant personnel changes and restructured various programs. [18]

#### New York State Historical Association[edit]

Dr. Frost was elected as a fellow of the New York State Historical Association and as a member of the Committee on Research and Development of the College Entrance Examination Board.[19]

### Connecticut[edit]

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.[5]

Upon assuming his position, Frost identified that the programs offered across the four campuses were mainly centered on teacher education and liberal arts.[20] 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.[7]

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 [21]

##### Robinson Trustee and Commencement Address[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.[19]

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.[22] James T. O'Donnell and Theodore M. Smith were class speakers. C. Edward Lamson distributed diplomas.[23]

1974 Robinson Commencement, Photo by Arthur J. Warmsley

## Bibliography[edit]

* The Social Studies in the Public Secondary Schools of Cleveland, 1846 -1915, James Arthur Frost; Published by Columbia University. Teachers College (1941)[24]
* Life On The Upper Susquehanna 1783-1860, James Arthur Frost; Published by King's Crown Press (1951)[25][26]
* 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)[27]
* New York, the Empire State, David Maldwyn Ellis; James Arthur Frost; William Bertrand Fink; Published by Prentice Hall (1979), ISBN 0-136-20419-8[28]
* The Establishment of the Connecticut State University, 1965-85, Notes and Reminiscences, James Arthur Frost (1991)[29]
* The Country Club of Farmington, 1892-1995, James Arthur Frost; Published by Country Club of Farmington (1996), ISBN 0-914-65977-4[30]
* Life with Elsie, James Arthur Frost; Published by The Briarwood Printing Co., Inc. (2006)

## See also[edit]

* List of Connecticut State University System Presidents

Portals:

* Biography
* Connecticut
* New York

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Establishment of the Title President of the Connecticut State University" (PDF). ct.edu. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
2. ^ "President Beal's Inauguration" (PDF). ct.edu. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
3. ^ "Salary increase Pres. Dallas K. Beal CSU" (PDF). ct.edu. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
4. ^ Barnes, Yolanda (3 October 1985). "University President Inducted". Hartford Courant. p. 215\. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
5. ^ a b 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.
6. ^ "Salary Adjustment for James A. Frost" (PDF). ct.edu. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
7. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b "James A. Frost Obituary". Hartford Courant. 2017. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024 - via Internet Archive.
9. ^ "The Oneonta Star from Oneonta, New York". Oneonta Star. 12 June 1964. p. 5 - via Internet Archive.
10. ^ a b "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.
11. ^ "SUNY Memorandum to Presidents" (PDF). system.suny.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
12. ^ a b c d "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.
13. ^ "Frost, James Arthur". worldcat.org. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
14. ^ "The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Foundation Awards 10 Scholarships". ct.edu. 16 June 2024 - via Internet Archive.
15. ^ "James A. Frost Obituaries and Scholarship". Hartford Courant. 16 April 2017. p. B7. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
16. ^ The Country Club of Farmington, 1892-1995. OCLC 33983571.
17. ^ 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.
18. ^ "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.
19. ^ 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.
20. ^ "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.
21. ^ 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.
22. ^ "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.
23. ^ "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.
24. ^ "The Social Studies in the Public Secondary Schools of Cleveland, 1846 -1915".
25. ^ Russ, William (1951). "Journal of American History". p. 311-312. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024 - via Internet Archive.
26. ^ Russ, William (1951-09-01). "Life on the Upper Susquehanna, 1783–1860. By James Arthur Frost. (New York: King's Crown Press, Columbia University, 1951. ix + 172 pp. Maps, tables, bibliography, and index. $2.75.)". academic.oup.com. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
27. ^ "A History Of The United States The Evolution Of A Free People". abebooks.com. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
28. ^ "SUCE Profs Write History Textbook". The Daily Star (Oneonta). 14 July 1961. p. 5\. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
29. ^ "Who Was Who In America with World Notables, Volume 20, 2009".
30. ^ Gorman, Kathleen (15 June 1995). "Golf Club Marks First Century". Hartford Courant. p. 3\. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024 - via Newspapers.com.

* v
* t
* e

James A. Frost

Textbooks|

* A Short History of New York State (1957)
* A History of New York State (1967)
* Life On The Upper Susquehanna 1783-1860 (1951)
* A History of the United States: The Evolution of a Free People (1969)
* New York, the Empire State (1979)

Biographies|

* Life with Elsie (2006)

Related|

* The Social Studies in the Public Secondary Schools of Cleveland, 1846 -1915 (1941)
* The Establishment of the Connecticut State University, 1965-85, Notes and Reminiscences (1991)
* The Country Club of Farmington, 1892-1995 (1996)

* v
* t
* e

Presidents of the Connecticut State University System

* Frost (1983–1985)
* 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|

* FAST
* ISNI
* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States

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