James A. Frost

James Arthur Frost (May 15, 1918 – March 16, 2017) was a historian who received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University. He was the Dean at the University of New York College-Oneonta and wrote several books and articles. Frost served as the Vice-Chancellor for four-year State University of New York and then the Connecticut State University System president. There is a scholarship offered by the Connecticut State University System Foundation named after him.

Early life and education
Frost was born May 15, 1918, in Manchester, England, the son of Rev. Harry Arthur Frost and Janet Wilson Frost. James Frost attended Columbia University in 1940, earning a bachelor's degree. He continued at the Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, earning his master's and doctoral degrees in American history and education. In 1993, he was awarded an LL.D. from Southern Connecticut State University.

Military Service
During World War II, James A. Frost served in the military. He was naturalized as a United States citizen on June 3, 1942. Shortly thereafter, within ten days, he received acceptance into the Air Corps School for Administrative Officers in Miami Beach, Florida.

Military Education
Frost excelled at the Air Corps School for Administrative Officers, demonstrating strong academic performance and proficiency in military drills. After completing the first part of the program in Miami Beach, Frost was selected as one of the top students to attend the Harvard School of Business.

On September 12, 1941, Frost was commissioned and received orders to report to the Third Air Force's headquarters in Tampa, Florida.

Duties as a Statistical Control Officer
The concept of Statistical Control was developed by the Army Air Corps Chief of Staff in collaboration with the Harvard School of Business, emphasizing the importance of "control." Statistical Control Officers could only be assigned by the Headquarters of the Army Air Corps in Washington, D.C. and were restricted to duties solely related to Statistical Control. However, during Frost's initial assignment at the squadron level, he was designated as a Supply Officer. Upon receiving these orders, the headquarters in Washington issued a command for Frost to be relieved of all duties except those pertaining to Statistical Control.

For instance, Statistical Control Officers had information about the location and readiness of all aircraft and details about personnel such as pilots, navigators, bombardiers, mechanics, and machine gunners who protected the bombers during flight. This highly intricate operation involved data on aircraft construction progress, pilot training, and casualties.



In 1942, Frost became a commissioned officer with orders to locate specific types of aircraft and the crews to operate them. Statistical Control Officers across North America reported the search results to the Army Air Force Headquarters. Throughout 1942, Frost worked in Statistical Control to gain the upper hand in the Battle of Midway, the islands of Midway, and other critical locations. On January 20, 1943, Frost was promoted to first lieutenant.

Third Tactical Air Command
In June 1943, Frost was assigned to Morris Field in Charlotte, North Carolina, reporting directly to General Ralph Francis Stearley through the General's Chief of Staff. Lieutenant Colonel Frank K. Clarke assigned Frost to oversee all statistical control processes throughout the Third Tactical Air Command.

Frost developed a booklet containing relevant information, which he updated weekly and distributed to the principal staff officers. The booklet received positive feedback, and the General, recognizing its value, requested more specific information on aircraft accidents. Colonel Clarke instructed that Frost's booklets be sent to other commands as an example of effective statistical control. Frost was promoted to Captain on January 31, 1944.

Third Air Force
In September 1944, Frost was the Director of Statistical Control at the Third Air Force headquarters in Tampa, Florida. On June 21st, 1945, Frost was promoted to major.

Military Reserves
On February 22, 1946, Frost left the military after four years and seven months of service. However, he was commissioned in the Reserves with the rank of Lieutenant colonel.

New York
Frost has held administrative positions at state colleges located in Oneonta and New Paltz, New York. Prior to coming to Connecticut, Frost served as the Provost for Academic Planning and Undergraduate Education and Vice-Chancellor for University Colleges at the State University of New York system.

State University of New York at Oneonta
From 1947 to 1949, he taught American history at the State University of New York at Oneonta. Following this, he was the special assistant to the president, and on December 2, 1949, Frost was appointed Dean of the College.



While at Oneonta, Dr. Frost earned a Smith-Smudt professorship in American history at the University of Ceylon in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, a position held from July 1959 to April 1960. While on sabbatical leave, Dr. Frost visited American studies centers in Japan on a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation.

Teacher's College, Columbia University
In the summer of 1948, Dr. Frost taught American history at Teachers College at Columbia University.

State University of New York at New Paltz
Dr. Frost was appointed as the interim president of the State University of New York at New Paltz after William J. Haggerty retired in late December 1966. During this time, Dr. Frost implemented significant personnel changes and restructured various programs.

New York State Historical Association
Dr. Frost was elected as an honorary fellow of the New York State Historical Association and as a member of the Committee on Research and Development of the College Entrance Examination Board.

Connecticut
Frost led the 33,000-student system for 12 years, significantly expanding academic programs and dormitory growth at Central Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut, Southern Connecticut, and Western Connecticut state universities.



Upon assuming his position, Frost identified that the programs offered across the four campuses were mainly centered on teacher education and liberal arts.

Subsequently, he oversaw the expansion of the educational initiatives to include courses in business administration, social work, computer science, and health science. Frost played a critical role in transforming the four-year state colleges into a university system, which was implemented on March 1, 1983.

Upon the announcement of his retirement, individuals discussed the influence he had on the state.

"... Mr. Frost has become a legend in his time for his work in organizing our four campuses into an effective university system that is now the largest in our state. — Lawrence J. Davidson, Chairman of the board of trustees"

"... His integrity in leadership and scholarship has greatly influenced the development of our state universities and the quality of programs they offer our students. — Gov. William A. O'Neill"

Western Connecticut State University
On January 28, 1973, Dr. Frost delivered the commencement address to 157 undergraduate students and 164 graduate students at Western Connecticut State University.

Central Connecticut State University
In 1984, Dr. Frost delivered the 134th commencement address at Central Connecticut State University to an audience of approximately 1800 graduating students. During his speech, he emphasized

"... The knowledge you have acquired here does not belong to you; you have an obligation to use it for all mankind because we are all the heirs of the past."

Robinson Trustee Appointment
In 1973, Dr. Frost, a resident of Simsbury, was appointed to serve on the board of trustees of the Robinson School in West Hartford, Connecticut. Dr. Frost filled the unexpired term previously held by the late Francis Hogan of Torrington Connecticut.

Robinson Commencement Address
In 1974, Dr. Frost delivered the commencement address to the 12th-grade students at Robinson School's 26th graduation ceremony, held at the West Hartford campus. James T. O'Donnell and Theodore M. Smith were class speakers. C. Edward Lamson distributed diplomas.



Personal life
Dr. Frost had at least three children with his wife, Elsie Frost.