(Sept. 23, 2024; NAPA, Calif.)—The University of Illinois has announced that Rich and Leslie Frank, Founders of Napa Valley’s Frank Family Vineyards, have donated a new gift of $2.5 million to the University of Illinois College of Media. The original gift of $7.5 million made in 2020 was the largest in the college’s history. It established the Richard and Leslie Frank Center for Leadership and Innovation in Media. The new gift will fund a substantial renovation of the lower level of Gregory Hall, with the creation of a new hybrid, flexible, or hyflex classroom as the centerpiece.
The new multipurpose classroom, which will be constructed in the space that currently houses two smaller classrooms and an office, will boast features that all three departments in the College of Media will be able to take advantage of—such as advertising brand consultations, journalism press conferences, and media and cinema studies production—and enable hybrid teaching and conferencing.
Rich Frank, a University of Illinois alumnus, is also the former President of Disney Studios, former President of the Television Academy, and current Vice Chair of the American Film Institute. Leslie Frank is an Emmy-award winning broadcast journalist.
“Because we believe in the fundamental impact that media has on our society, we want to continue to invest in our future media leaders at the University of Illinois,” said Rich Frank. “We’re excited to establish a new state-of-the-art space that will support the excellence of the College of Media, and we hope to inspire other donors to make gifts that leave a lasting impact on the college.”
The gift will also fund renovations to the lower level, featuring a more modern design such as new flooring, painted walls throughout the entire hallway, including the east and west wings, and digital signage. Substantial work in that part of Gregory Hall has not occurred since the 1990s. The project details are underway; work will begin in summer 2025.
“This new gift will create a showpiece in Gregory Hall,” said Dean Tracy Sulkin. “The College of Media is deeply thankful to Richard and Leslie Frank for their generous investments that not only have expanded opportunities for our current students and faculty but will continue to facilitate an enriched experience for those to come.”
The Franks’ original gift of $7.5 million enabled the creation of the Frank Newsroom at Richmond Studio, the college’s broadcast teaching facility, and endowed the Richard and Leslie Frank Center for Leadership and Innovation in Media.
Having each experienced professional success in media and entertainment, the Franks are committed to creating a positive impact in media for generations.
Rich Frank, who received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Illinois, began his career at the advertising agency BBDO in New York City before moving to Los Angeles to work as a Sales Manager at KTLA. He then served as President of Chris-Craft Broadcasting. In 1977 he became President of Paramount Television Group, overseeing the creation and production of such shows as Taxi, Family Ties, and Cheers as well as the creation of the groundbreaking entertainment news show, Entertainment Tonight. In 1985, he became President of Disney Studios. Under his leadership, the studio created iconic sitcoms such as The Golden Girls and Home Improvement, and films including Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, and The Lion King. He also oversaw the launch of the Disney Channel. Rich served three terms as President of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In 2007, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences recognized him with the prestigious Syd Cassyd Founder’s Award. In 2011, Rich received an honorary doctorate from the American Film Institute where he is currently a Vice Chairman on the AFI’s Board of Directors. Rich previously served on the board of the Motion Picture Association of America. His archival interview with the Television Academy provides a fascinating historical perspective of the evolution of modern television: https://bit.ly/3iQvS7s.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Leslie Frank began her career in Canada before crossing the border to work in some of the largest television markets in the United States. She spent more than 25 years covering many major stories including the 9/11 attacks, where she reported live from ground zero in New York City, as well as from the scene of the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and inside the courtroom at the Michael Jackson trial. Leslie spent the last nine years of her TV news career reporting and anchoring at the number one rated station, KABC in Los Angeles, where she covered politics, crime, weather calamities, as well as interviewing some of the biggest stars in Hollywood on the red carpet. Prior to Los Angeles, Leslie was the main anchor at KCPQ in Seattle, where she took the 10:00 p.m. newscast to number one in its time slot and clinched an Emmy for outstanding news anchor. In 2024, she joined the board of directors of Treasury Wine Estates Ltd.
Leslie and Richard sold Frank Family Vineyards, a highly acclaimed luxury wine business based in the Napa Valley, California, to Treasury Wine Estates in 2021.
Under the leadership of its inaugural director, Colleen King, clinical assistant professor of journalism, the Frank Center has brought media industry leaders to campus for free and public events including Steve Kornacki, Brian Williams, and on December 3, NBC News chief political analyst Chuck Todd. The Frank Center has also held virtual Q&As with Kara Swisher, Michael Steele, and Dan Balz. See recordings of these conversations with the Frank Center.
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