The College

Sidney E. Frank Scholars

In 2004, Mr. Sidney E. Frank '42 donated $100 million dollars to the University to support undergraduate financial aid. His gift—among the largest contributions in University history—established the Sidney E. Frank Scholarship, which funds tuition for approximately 130 undergraduate students.

Sidney E. Frank

Sidney E. Frank was a member of the Class of 1942. The son of Connecticut farmers, he left Brown after his first year because he could not afford the tuition. Frank became a successful businessman but never forgot his time on College Hill, believing that his one year at Brown changed the course of his life. Mr. Frank created the Sidney E. Frank Endowed Scholarship Fund to give students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity that was not available to him.

In May 2005, the University awarded Mr. Frank an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters with the citation:

Your success in the face of hardship, your consistent largess and forward-looking ideals, make you not only an embodiment of the American dream but also a philanthropic role model. Your generosity to Brown will ameliorate for future students the fiscal hardships you suffered as a young freshman.

Special Activities for Sidney E. Frank Scholars

Open to all Scholars, the Sidney E. Frank Scholars Association (SFSA) is a group of Scholars who work closely with the Dean for Sidney E. Frank Scholars on annual events and special activities for Sidney E. Frank Scholars. These include a Welcome Reception, Peer Orientation, a Commencement Celebration,"Frank Chats," the SFS Career Development Program, and the "Frank Buddy Program" a network of fellow Scholars who act as friendly personal guides to Brown's resources and student life. All incoming Scholars are matched with a "Frank Buddy" who reaches out to them in the summer before Orientation. Returning Scholars may sign up to be a Buddy, participate in the Career Development Program, and make program/event suggestions.

The SFSA also produces Scholars Facebook page. Each year, all Sidney E. Frank Scholars are invited to join the SFS Facebook group. The group is a great way for each and every Scholar to be connected to the entire SFS community and receive event information and other updates from the SFSA Coordinators.

The group is private, so if you would like access, please email the SFS Program Associate and you'll be added immediately. Your email will not be used for any other purpose, and of course, joining is completely optional. If you have sent an email but not received a Facebook invitation, please send another email request to join. 

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