Most people would think a man would lose fervor for things after being involved with them for 41 years, but most people have not met Frank W. Hale.ÒI am eager to connect once again with the university,Ó Hale said. Hale was named Distinguished University Representative and Consultant for student recruitment, fund raising and alumni relations May 19 by Ohio State President William ÒBritÓ Kirwan.ÒI have kept busy the last few years, but not on a full-time basis. I really missed being involved in the lives of students,Ó Hale said. Of HaleÕs 41 years in higher education, 18 of them were spent at OSU. From 1971 to 1978 he was the associate dean and chairman of the Fellowship Committee of the Graduate School. In 1978 he was appointed vice provost of minority affairs, a position he held until he retired in 1988. The Hale Black Cultural Center also was named after him.ÒThe opportunity for such an innovator and statesman as Frank Hale to join us again is most fortunate for the university,Ó Kirwan said. ÒWhen I was building a minority recruitment program at the University of Maryland the leader everyone sent to me was Frank Hale. His advice will be invaluable to the institution and to the many students and families who will benefit.Ó Hale said his role will be a more Òglobal oneÓ than it was during his first tenure here.ÒI now get the opportunity to act as a liaison between the university and surrounding community colleges,Ó Hale said. ÒAlso, I get to work with the Office of Academic Affairs in such areas as recruitment and retention of undergraduate students.ÓHale spoke of his dreams for the position.ÒI am concerned about keeping OSU at the forefront of all areas. I want other universities to use us as a model to follow,Ó Hale said. ÒI came back to this university, because President Kirwan is committed to excellence through diversity.ÓAs he talked about Òexcellence through diversityÓ the issue of minority retention forced its way to the head of the pack.ÒWe as a university need to improve in this area. Folks have to feel like they are a part of whatÕs going on. We need to get students involved in community,Ó Hale said. ÒItÕs too easy for students to isolate themselves. When they become involved in the process trust is developed. When there is trust a sense of belonging to the student body will follow.ÓUnlike most administrators Hale shows that he wants to be involved in the lives of students. He visits the Hale Black Cultural Center two or three times a week just to make himself available to the student body. ÒI will do whatever I can to increase the quality of life for our students. The fact is they are the ones who will be making history happen,Ó Hale said.