Richard and Leslie Frank Center for Leadership and Innovation in Media

ABOUT THE RICHARD AND LESLIE FRANK CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION IN MEDIA

Established in 2020, the Richard and Leslie Frank Center for Leadership and Innovation in Media will develop students who are leaders in their professions by offering access to a diverse group of experts and practitioners through residencies and a speaker series, and by supporting outside learning opportunities such as professional immersion experiences, conference participation, and internships. The Frank Center will also enhance opportunities for the College of Media to engage with the public on pressing issues.

A portion of the Franks’ gift will be used to create a state-of-the-art broadcast facility within Richmond Studio with renovations beginning Spring 2023. Additionally, their gift created two classrooms in Gregory Hall to accommodate the use of new technologies and to offer space for media editing and production.

SPRING 2023 EVENTS

• January 23: Frank Center Student Workshop: Generating Story Ideas

• January 25: Frank Center Student Workshop: Teleprompter Reading

• March 2: Q&A with Sports Writer and Novelist Will Leitch

• March 7: Q&A with NBC News and MSNBC National Political Correspondent Steve Kornacki

• March 23: Frank Center Student Workshop: Seth Fein & Smile Politely

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For more information about the Frank Center for Leadership and Innovation in Media, please contact Colleen King, director and clinical assistant professor of journalism, at cck@illinois.edu. 

ABOUT THE FRANKS

Rich Frank, former president of Disney Studios, and Leslie (Miller) Frank, an Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist, both now vintners and hospitality leaders in Napa Valley, wanted to make an investment in the University of Illinois that would have an impact for generations. 

“We are encouraged our contribution will help create the highest level of learning for the next generation of journalists and that we are able to play a part in elevating the stature of the program at Illinois, making it a top destination for students and faculty,” said Rich and Leslie Frank. 

Learn more about Rich and Leslie Frank and their historic $7.5 million gift to the College of Media.

Hear an interview with the Franks on Illinois Public Media's The 21st Show, aired October 13, 2022.

Richard and Leslie Frank also spoke with the student-produced broadcast UI7 Live in advance of the October 13 panel "Reporting on Politics and Elections in 2022." Watch the segment:

PAST EVENTS

FALL 2022

• Frank Center Student Workshop: Teleprompter Reading | View photos.

• Q&A with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Alum Eli Murray | Watch the recording.

• Reporting on Politics and Elections in 2022 | View photos. | Watch the recording.

• Q&A with Washington Post Chief Correspondent Dan Balz on the Georgia Senate Runoff | Watch the recording.

FALL 2021

• A Panel on Sports and Social Media | Watch the recording.
   

SPRING 2021

• Frank Center Conversation on Media Leadership & Innovation with Leslie Frank, Peter Alexander, Judy Hsu | Watch the recording.