A spray of flowers placed at Chancellor Frank Borkowski’s official portrait, located inside the B.B. Dougherty Administration Building on App State's Boone campus, honors the former App State leader, who passed away Sunday, Jan. 19. Borkowski served as chancellor of Appalachian State University from 1993 to 2003. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Dr. Francis Thomas Borkowski served as chancellor of Appalachian State University from 1993 to 2003. Photo courtesy of Appalachian State University Historical Photographs Collection
BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Francis Thomas Borkowski, former chancellor of Appalachian State University from 1993 to 2003, died Sunday, Jan. 19, at the age of 88.
“Frank led our university for 10 years, and during this time, he strengthened the university’s academic reputation, expanding our global education programs, supporting programs designed for first-year students’ success, and helping extend the reach of the university’s arts programs,” App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris said in a statement to students, faculty and staff. “We honor Frank and the incredible contributions he made to the university in the decade he was chancellor and the decades afterward.”
Under Borkowski’s leadership, App State celebrated its 100th anniversary, enrollment grew from 12,200 to more than 14,300, and Time magazine named the university a College of the Year in 2001. His focus on global education resulted in App State’s recognition by the American Council on Education as a model institution for international studies.
Former Appalachian State University Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski, left, gives App State Chancellor Emeritus John E. Thomas a copy of the latest edition of The Appalachian Faculty Emeriti during the university’s 100th anniversary celebration in 1999. The 400-page publication is dedicated to Thomas. Photo courtesy of Appalachian State University Historical Photographs Collection
Former App State Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski, who led the university from 1993 to 2003, third from right, and his wife, Kay Borkowski, far left, talk with App State students. They are shown standing beneath a banner welcoming the Borkowskis to App State. Photo courtesy of Appalachian State University Historical Photographs Collection
Among the many other university achievements under Borkowski’s leadership:
- App State’s An Appalachian Summer Festival grew to become a significant part of the cultural landscape and helped establish the area as a cultural tourism destination.
- App State extended the reach of the Hayes School of Music, which was named under Borkowski’s tenure in honor of Mariam Cannon Hayes, who had contributed the university’s largest gift to date in support of the arts at the university.
- App State established the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, which opened in 2003. This center engages visitors in dynamic and accessible exhibition, education, outreach and collection programs.
- App State broke ground on the Belk Library and Information Commons, which was completed in 2005.
- App State’s Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies was founded in 2002, with Borkowski playing a key role in the center’s establishment.
- App State purchased the New York City Loft, which provides an affordable and convenient lodging option for students, faculty and staff fulfilling academic requirements, conducting academic research or engaged in other activities while visiting New York City.
- App State held its first Martin Luther King Day Challenge service projects, which became a model for institutions across the country. This initiative has since evolved into the Mobilize the Mountains Days of Service events, organized by the university’s Office of Community-Engaged Leadership.
- App State experienced growth in campus infrastructure, including the construction of the Holmes Convocation Center, McKinney Alumni Center, Rivers Street Parking Deck and Rankin Science North.
- App State’s Plemmons Student Union underwent a significant renovation, which doubled the meeting space available to students and campus organizations and enhanced the building’s sustainable features, earning it an LEED Gold Certification.
Former App State Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski is shown having fun on a tire swing on the Boone campus in 1999, as App State students watch. Photo courtesy of Appalachian State University Historical Photographs Collection
Former App State Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski and university benefactor Mariam Cannon Hayes are pictured at an Appalachian State University commencement ceremony in 1994. Photo courtesy of Appalachian State University Historical Photographs Collection
Former App State Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski assists Mountaineers during move-in at Appalachian State University in 1995. Photo by App State University Communications, Mike Rominger
Former App State Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski, center, speaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for App State’s Holmes Convocation Center, held Sept. 6, 2000. The 200,840-square-foot, multipurpose facility located at the Boone campus opened on Nov. 17, 2000, when the App State men’s basketball program hosted the North Carolina Tar Heels in front of a sell-out crowd. Photo courtesy of Appalachian State University Historical Photographs Collection
As a professional clarinet and accordion player, as well as a music teacher and conductor, Borkowski loved and generously supported the arts. He supported the expansion of the App State public art program and the Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition, and during his time as chancellor, sculptures of Daniel Boone and App State mascot Yosef were added to the university’s Boone landscape. Following his chancellorship, he continued to work at the university as a tenured faculty member in the Hayes School of Music.
Borkowski was a first-generation American, the child of Polish immigrants and among the first in his family to earn a high school education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Oberlin College, a master’s degree in clarinet performance from Indiana University Bloomington and a doctorate in music education from West Virginia University. He went on to become a respected academic leader at many institutions before he was chancellor of App State.
Borkowski is survived by his wife, Kay, and their children Stanley Borkowski, Anne-Marie Scott and Christian Borkowski — and their grandchildren, Molly Scott, Nora Scott, Ian Borkowski and Ryan Borkowski.
Former App State Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski, fifth from left, is pictured at the groundbreaking ceremony for App State’s Belk Library and Information Commons in 2003. Photo courtesy of Appalachian State University Historical Photographs Collection
App State Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski, left in foreground, is pictured with Robert L. Turchin Sr. on App State’s Boone campus in 2000. Turchin, who passed away in 2013, was a longtime benefactor of Appalachian State University. App State’s Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, which was established under Borkowski’s tenure, is named in honor of Robert and his wife, Lillian Turchin. Photo courtesy of Appalachian State University Historical Photographs Collection
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About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
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