The following biographical sketch was compiled at the time of induction into the Academy in 1969.
Dr. Frank A. Rose, former president of the University of Alabama, was a native of
Meridian, Mississippi, and is recognized as one of the nation's leading educators.
Dr. Rose received his A. B. Degree from Transylvania College, his B. D. From Lexington
Theological Seminary, and did graduate study at the University of London.
His career in higher education began in 1945 when he became a Professor of Philosophy at
Transylvania College. He was named president of his alma mater in 1951, becoming the
youngest college president in the nation. The University of Alabama called him as its president
in 1958.
During Dr. Rose's tenure at the university, enrollment on the main campus
almost doubled, and enrollment on all campuses climbed to 20,000. The graduate school
increased tenfold, and the full-time faculty more than doubled. University assets of $50.6
million in 1958 climbed to $141 million, and the operating budget grew from $16.2
million to $60.3 million. Dr. Rose raised academic standards by recruiting highly-qualified
faculty, raising entrance requirements for students, emphasizing programs for scholars, and
appealing to outstanding students.
Dr. Rose was elected in 1955 by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce as one of the
"Ten Outstanding Young Men in America." In 1960, he was elected to the South's Hall of Fame
for the Living.
Dr. Rose was National President of Omicron Delta Kappa, a group that awarded him its
Distinguished Service Key in 1966. He was 1968 Chairman of the Board of Visitors, United States
Military Academy, West Point, and was 1968 Chairman of the Educational Advisory Committee of
the Appalachian Regional Commission.
He was a member and former president of the Southern University Conference, Regional Chairman
of the March of Dimes, Chairman of the American University Field Staff Program, and a Member
of the Executive Committee of the Southern Regional Education Board.
Dr. Rose served in 1959 as a Delegate to the Atlantic Congress of NATO for the United States
Committee. He was a member of the National Citizen's Committee on Public Television, and a
member of the Advisory Panel for ROTC Affairs, U.S. Army.
Dr. Rose held Honorary Degrees from the University of Cincinnati, the University of Alabama,
Samford University, Transylvania College, Lynchburg College, St. Bernard College, and the
University of the Americas in Mexico City.
Dr. Rose and his wife, Tommye, had four children, Susan, Tony, Julian, and Elizabeth. He is now deceased.
Dr. Rose was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor on August 25, 1969.
