Story: Lisa Sollie
At a ceremony typically reserved for student induction, a University of West Alabama professor was recognized for his exceptional contributions to academia and community service. Dr. Frank Rogers, professor of mathematics at UWA, received the Great Minds Award from the university’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline honor society.
Dr. Kendrick Prewitt, chair of the Department of Languages and Literature at UWA, serves as Chapter 276 President and explained that the award is presented annually to faculty members who have distinguished themselves in scholarship, service, or teaching.
“Past recipients include esteemed colleagues such as Dr. Alan Brown, Dr. Mustafa Morsy, Dr. Ashley Dumas, and Dr. Mark Hanks,” Prewitt noted.
In his nomination letter, Dr. Jeffery Merida, Dean of UWA’s College of Natural Science and Mathematics, highlighted Rogers’ wide-ranging impact since joining the university faculty in 2004.
“Dr. Rogers has shaped minds in the classroom, mentored underrepresented students, and served his community tirelessly,” Merida wrote. He also emphasized Rogers’ unique teaching philosophy, which focuses on making mathematics accessible and reducing student anxiety by encouraging multiple paths to problem-solving that foster critical thinking.
Student testimonials echo these sentiments and praise Dr. Rogers’ patience, knowledge, and genuine care. “He cares deeply about his students, always putting our best interests first. He pushes us to want to do better,” one student shared.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Rogers supports several student initiatives, including Project Engage and the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation, which aim to increase STEM success among underrepresented students. Outside the University, he is an active supporter of the Gainesville Volunteer Fire Department and provides free tutoring at New Bethel Baptist Church, where he is the pastor.
Also published, Rogers wrote Heartless, A Journey to Second Earth. He further demonstrated his commitment to lifelong learning by earning an MBA in Computing and Data Analytics from UWA in 2022.
During his heartfelt and often humorous acceptance speech, Rogers expressed gratitude to God, Phi Kappa Phi, his nominators, colleagues, students, and his family. Reflecting on his upbringing, he credited his mother and grandmother for cultivating a love for learning and surrounding him with books, including encyclopedias, that sparked his early curiosity.
He contrasted that nurturing environment with his emotional challenges as a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Despite the academic rigor of majoring in mathematics and minoring in computer science, he found a supportive environment at UWA that allowed him to thrive.
“The difference,” he said, “was the learning environment,” one filled with supportive professors, advisors, and classmates who helped him believe he could succeed. After earning his Ph.D. at the University of Alabama, Rogers returned to UWA to help shape the next generation.
He concluded with a powerful message to students: “Struggles will come—whether due to your choices or outside forces, but you must take responsibility for your success. Sometimes, the most courageous thing you can do is let go of a dream that’s become a nightmare—and dream a new dream.”
The April ceremony also included remarks from Dr. Todd Fritch, who addressed attendees on his 100th day as UWA’s new president.
Phi Kappa Phi honor society initiates approximately 25,000 members a year on more than 325 campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. More than 1.5 million members have joined its ranks since Phi Kappa Phi’s founding in 1897 at the University of Maine.