Michael L. Frandsen Named Vice President for Finance and Administration

OBERLIN, OH — The Oberlin College Board of Trustees has confirmed the appointment of Michael L. Frandsen as Vice President for Finance and Administration.

Frandsen comes to Oberlin from Albion College, where he has served as the interim president for the past eight months. Prior to stepping into the top leadership position, Frandsen had been vice president for finance and administration at Albion since 2009. In his capacity as head of the college's business operations, he oversaw the offices that manage finance and accounting, facilities operations, auxiliary services, human resources, information technology, and Albion’s Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center.

“Mike's experience as an academic administrator and faculty member, as well as in the private sector, will enable him to help the college navigate the important issues of budget and finance,” says Oberlin College President Marvin Krislov. “We all are looking forward to working with him.”

Frandsen’s tenure at Albion began in 2004 as assistant professor of economics and management. He was the director of Albion’s Carl A. Gerstacker Institute for Business and Management from 2006 to 2009, during which time he developed the college’s Student Entrepreneurial Exchange program with ESCIA, a business school in France.

“Mike knows that important financial decisions require support from across the college,” says search committee chair, Professor Ellis Tallman. “He has the knowledge and vision to know the right path to take, the willingness to convey that vision to the academic community, and the energy to engage in the personal interactions necessary to get the support for moving in the appropriate direction. He also has the capacity to listen attentively to the views of others and the genuine humility to recognize that one person does not have all the answers.”

Prior to joining Albion, Frandsen taught at Juniata College in Pennsylvania for five years, following a career in corporate finance with multinational companies. He holds a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Pennsylvania State University and a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in strategic management.

“I am very excited to be joining the Oberlin College community and leadership team,” says Frandsen. “It will be a privilege to serve an institution that has long been a leader in higher education. I am looking forward to working with the extraordinary faculty, staff, students, and alumni as we set the course for Oberlin's future. My wife, Sharon, and I greatly appreciate the warm welcome we have received from everyone we've encountered and we look forward to our move to the community of Oberlin.”

He and his wife have two college-age daughters, Janie and Kate. He will begin his responsibilities at Oberlin July 1.

Frandsen succeeds Ron Watts, who is retiring from the vice president and chief financial officer position at the end of June after 37 years of service to Oberlin College.