A. Peter Fraenkel
Mr. Fraenkel first came to Indiana University Bloomington to pursue undergraduate studies in physics and mathematics at the personal invitation of I.U. President Herman B Wells.
He and President Wells had met in South America while Mr. Fraenkel was a senior in high school. President Wells was visiting several Latin American countries on behalf of the American Good Neighbor Policy. Mr. Fraenkel had been selected to serve as the bilingual interpreter during the high level government negotiations.
At Indiana University, Mr. Fraenkel was rewarded for his superior academic performance by election to membership in Phi Beta Kappa.
Only two and a half years after his arrival in Bloomington, he graduated in physics and mathematics with highest honors.
Because of his stellar academic achievements, he was offered full scholarships for graduate school by three universities that included Harvard, Princeton, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.). Mr. Fraenkel accepted the scholarship from Harvard University.
When President Wells was asked by General Lucius Clay to head the Education and Cultural Affairs Branch of the U.S. Occupation of Germany following World War II, Mr. Fraenkel, who had been born and raised in Berlin, joined President Wells as his assistant and adviser.
After the mission in Berlin had been completed, President Wells persuaded Mr. Fraenkel to return to Indiana University as his executive assistant in the President’s Office. One of the major highlights during these years at I.U. was a journey together with President of Notre Dame University, Theodore M. Hesburgh, to South America on behalf of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. The purpose of this assignment was to evaluate the quality and progress of U.S. Peace Corps initiatives.
Mr. Fraenkel remained at Indiana University until six months prior to President Wells’ retirement at which time he joined the executive staff of the Ford Foundation in New York City with the title of International Representative.
At the Ford Foundation, Mr. Fraenkel enjoyed a long and distinguished career. He established and directed Ford Foundation Offices and Programs, with residences in four South American countries as well as in Europe, with headquarters in Madrid, Spain. Between assignments abroad, he and his wife Karen resided in New York City.
After many productive years with the Ford Foundation dealing with international higher education government officials and administrators, Mr. Fraenkel returned to Indiana University Bloomington at the personal request of President John W. Ryan.
At I.U., he remained actively involved in U.S- Spanish relationships. Until and following his retirement, he was frequently summoned to lend his expertise and vision as Advisor to major foundations and banking institutions in both Latin America and Spain.