Dr. Frank Hale Jr

Frank W. Hale, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and champion for the youth of America, and African-American youth in particular, passed away on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at his residence. His father and mother, Frank W. Hale, Sr. and Novella Banks Hale, preceded him in death, as did his first wife, Ruth Colleen Saddler Hale. He is survived by his loving, dedicated and devoted wife Mignon Scott Hale; son, Frank W. Hale, III and his wife Irene; daughters, Pastor Professor Ifeoma Kwesi, and Sherilyn Renene Wilkins (Allen); stepsons Oliver (Erika) Palmer and Michael Palmer; granddaughters, Renene Price (James); Christina Thomas; step granddaughters, Ashley and Rebecca Palmer ; two grandsons, Frank W. Hale, IV(Shiloh) and Charles Thomas, Jr., great granddaughters; Jordan Price, Maya Price and Justice Hale; and great grandson, Ryan Price; step great grandchildren; James Wende, and Cadence Wende; cousins Elizabeth Mary Bebbs, Corinne Heard, Dr. Marian Patterson, Claudine (Gozie) Penson, Dr. Elfleda (Wilbur) Tate, and Cleopatra Charlotte (Thomas) Walton; sisters-in-law, Gloria (Corloyd) Saddler, Jacqueline (James) Crowder, Dr. Mary Scott (Dr. Melvin) Gaskins, Dorothy Still Scott; brothers-in-law, Thomas (Thea) Saddler, Robert (Patricia) Scott, Lawrence (Rita) Scott, and Dr. Rudolph Scott; godchildren, Lori Diaz, Royce Malcolm, Chanel Malcolm-Fubler and Nadege Robertson Tippenhauer, and “brothers and sisters” Mr. Henry (Judy) Griffith, Dr. Donald (Gloria) Bedney, and Drs. Jon and Florence Robertson; mentees, Brandi Abrams, Marsalis Brown, Crystal Duncan, Jazmen Hobbs, Romero Huffstead, Haven James, Themba Makapela, Jr., Richard Martin, Shaon Martinique, Shaniece Ryan, David Talbert the Barnes and Partridge Children, and a host of other relatives and friends. Dr. Hale was Vice Provost and Professor Emeritus at The Ohio State University, where he served from 1971-1988, 1999-2005. He was a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he was awarded the B.A. and M.A. degrees in Communication and Political Science in 1950 and 1951, and his Ph.D. in Communication and Political Science from The Ohio State University in 1955. He was awarded a Post Doctoral Fellowship in English Literature from the University of London in 1960. He held honorary doctoral degrees from the following universities: Wilberforce University (Ohio) Doctor of Humanities (D.H.) 1979; Shaw University (North Carolina) Doctor of Humane Letters (D.H.L.) 1990; University of Nebraska, Doctor of Humane Letters (D.H.L.) 1996; Capital University (Ohio) Doctor of Humanities (D.H.) 1996; La Sierra University (California) Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) 2005; and Andrews University (Michigan) Doctor of Humanities (D.H.) 2006. Dr. Hale held full professorships at Oakwood College (1951-1959), Central State University (1959-1966), and The Ohio State University (1971-1988). He served as visiting professor at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary (1957), Potomac University (1957), and the University of Nebraska (1995). Prior to his third retirement, he was Executive Assistant to the President at Kenyon College (1989-1992), and Distinguished University Representative and Consultant in the Office of the President at The Ohio State University (1999-2005). Dr. Hale was President at Oakwood College (now Oakwood University) from 1966-1971, and was voted a second five year term in 1971 just prior to accepting the position as Associate Dean of the Graduate School, Chairman of the Fellowship Committee and Professor of Communication at The Ohio State University. He was the first African American to hold a deanship in the Graduate School at OSU. Through his efforts more than million graduate fellowship awards were granted to approximately 1200 minority students at The Ohio State University. Eighty percent of those fellowship recipients earned masters and/or doctoral degrees and went on to establish successful career profiles throughout the world. During his tenure, the university was cited as the number one producer of Black PhD’s in the nation in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Hale also initiated the Minority Scholars Program (later named the Morrill Scholars Program) for high school graduating seniors who had a cumulative grade point average of “B” or better. Over 500 of these scholarships were awarded during his tenure as Vice Provost. As a capstone to his illustrious career, The Ohio State University Board of Trustees voted him Vice Provost and Professor Emeritus, naming in his honor the Frank W. Hale, Jr., Black Cultural Center and designated the building in which is housed as Hale Hall. Dr. Hale authored and/or edited twelve books and more than fifty articles in professional journals. He lectured at more than 300 colleges and universities and at 50 state and national conferences. He has received more than 300 awards and citations recognizing his many contributions in the field of higher education. Dr. Hale’s most recent books were What Makes Racial Diversity Work in Higher Education (Stylus Publishing Company, 2004, a bestseller) and How Black Colleges Empower Black Students: Lesson for Higher Education (Stylus Publishing Company, 2006). Persons desiring to make contributions should make a check payable to: The Frank W. Hale, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund, or The Frank W. Hale, Jr. Black Cultural Center Renovation and Expansion Project to assist with the establishment of the Frank W. Hale, Jr., Civil Rights Library C/O The Ohio State University – Office of Development 1480 W. Lane Avenue; Columbus, Ohio 43221. Reception: Dinner service 3:00 p.m. Sunday, August 7, 2011 for out of town family, guests, and friends.