Arthur Eugene Franks '71 built a career helping others achieve financial success. He credits University of the Pacific with preparing him to lead and serve impactfully for more than 40 years.

In gratitude, Franks and his wife Victoria committed a substantial portion of their estate to the Eberhardt School of Business, to support the recruitment of business students and enrich their educational experience.

"My best foundation in life was the two and a half years I spent at Pacific, and I want that for everyone," Franks said. "When deciding where to put my resources, I realized the need to give others the same opportunities I had. Everyone needs a good business foundation in their life." 

The Franks aim to help Pacific prepare students for the rapidly changing future of business. Their gift will create an endowment in the Eberhardt School that expands hands-on learning opportunities and allows the school to bring renowned industry leaders to campus. 

The endowment also will advance strategic marketing efforts aimed at raising the school's profile and distinguishing it from its peers.

Franks himself did not hold an Eberhardt degree until recently, having graduated from Pacific's business program years before the school existed by that name. Five decades later, grateful for his education and wanting an even stronger association with the school, he requested a new diploma bearing the Eberhardt name. 

His gift reflects his desire to see all Pacific students develop good business acumen, including aspiring doctors at the planned School of Medicine.

"Elevating the business school elevates the whole university," he said. "Everybody, no matter what field they're in, can benefit from classes taught by Eberhardt professors in the foundational work of business."

Franks grew up in Stockton and attended Stagg High School. He married fellow Stagg graduate Victoria Eccleston and they welcomed two children. He briefly attended a university out of state before putting school on hold to support his family. 

He eventually enrolled at Pacific, completing his degree while raising two elementary-age children. As a student-parent he was bolstered by unwavering support from Victoria and both the Eccleston and Franks families. 

Franks went on to a 43-year career in the oil and banking industries. In every role, he applied skills gained at Pacific.

"To be able to interface effectively and successfully with businesses from all across the United States was very powerful," he said. “I could speak in lieu of the company's CEO in many cases because I was so well-prepared to help our clients make wise decisions. The impact of a Pacific education really does ripple out to others."

While working, Franks also volunteered for the Pacific Alumni Association, serving on the board of directors and enjoying a 12-year collaboration with longtime alumni relations director Kara Brewer '69. More recently, he and Victoria endowed a scholarship open to any business student with financial need.

"Pacific made Art who he is today," Victoria Franks said. "It shaped how his mind works and made him a good businessman. I've appreciated watching him grow and seeing him use the tools Pacific gave him to help others succeed. We're sitting here today because of what Pacific has done to help him lead a wonderful life." 

Lewis Gale, the Eberhardt School's dean, is grateful that the Franks’ support will help the school engage students in new and practical ways. He emphasizes the need to provide experiences that make students competitive job candidates while instilling grit, determination and curiosity.

"This gift will provide experiences, starting in a student's first year, that offer real-world learning and build the confidence and capability to contribute mightily to any organization," Gale said. "Arthur and Victoria see the opportunities, and their legacy will help us realize those possibilities for years to come."

Now retired and living in Utah, the Franks enjoy supporting Pacific's mission—and Arthur's vision for its future—from afar. 

“Our gift expresses my respect, honor and love for my Pacific experience," he said. "I'm giving back because I want the Eberhardt School of Business to become the top business school in California—period. End of story." 

To learn about making an estate gift to University of the Pacific, contact Molly Byrne, senior associate vice president for development, at 209.946.2780 or mbyrne1@pacific.edu.