Piskor Hall, Frank P. Piskor lectureship, Frank P. Piskor endowment, but who was Frank P. Piskor?
On March 8, 2006, the St. Lawrence community lost a person who helped mold St. Lawrence into the institution that we see today. Frank P. Piskor served as our University’s 14th President from 1969 until he retired in 1981.
“The lectureship was established in 1979 to encourage original and continued research among St. Lawrence faculty members,” stated Evelyn Jennings, associate dean faculty affairs and Piskor lectureship coordinator. “For me, it [The Piskor Lecture] is the most significant event for the community in knowing what our faculty are doing and it is too bad that we can only do one a year,” described Dr. William L. Fox, current University President. “We as faculty hold it in such high esteem ourselves,” explained Jon Rosales, associate professor of environmental studies.
The 2018 Piskor Lecture titled “Arctic Climate Change Research: Innovative Methods for an Information-Rich, Data-Poor Landscape,” was presented by Jon Rosales. He recalled many of the past winners as professors in the humanities and joked about having to use some graphs to aid his lecture as he is a social scientist. “I think what it would do if a scientist was to do it, in comparison, it would really push them out of their comfort zone,” stated Rosales. “Research is long and difficult, and presenting the lecture after years of research showed all my efforts coming together and being recognized,” he continued.
President Fox was an undergraduate student under President Piskor. “Attending one of the lectures President Piskor gave was really a life changing moment for me,” stated President Fox. “He was very thoughtful and generous in every way possible with his time and his philanthropy” remembered President Fox.
“Having just heard Jon Rosales deliver the Piskor lecture, it just shows how important scholarship is to teaching,” said President Fox. “At St. Lawrence there are the three R’s, for me they are rhetoric, research, relationships,” emphasized President Fox, who believes that students should develop these skills in the real world.
President Piskor continues to make a mark on the campus even after his passing. “Frank Piskor the book collector is still very much with the library today,” reflected Paul Doty, special collections and archives librarian. “Our Robert Frost Collection continues as a “living” testament to his love of books, and how that love informed his vision of a liberal arts education,” stated Doty.
Shayla Witherell, associate director of donor relations emphasized the long-lasting effects President Piskor has left on our campus. Be it the Frank P. Piskor Faculty Lectureship, the Piskor professorship, the Frank P. and Anne C. Piskor Special Collections Endowment, or The Piskor Fund for the Archives, Frank P. Piskor is remembered everyday by the SLU community.
To a man who was endlessly motivated and dedicated to make SLU a better place, we remember him in his brightest days and thank him for his work to this great institution.
Rest in peace Frank P. Piskor.