Dr. Frank B. Ashley III has joined the Dean’s Advisory Board at Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government and Public Service. Ashley most recently served a yearlong tenure as interim dean of the Bush School following the appointment of former Dean Mark A. Welsh III as university president.
John Sherman, dean of the Bush School, said Ashley’s years of experience and service within the Bush School, the Texas A&M University System and the local community will serve him well in building upon President George H.W. Bush’s legacy and vision for the school.
“Dr. Ashley brings his expertise, strong passion and deep experience to help the Bush School continue to provide an exceptional education to its students and to make a positive impact on the world,” Sherman said. “We are grateful for his return to serve at the Bush School and continue fostering President Bush’s legacy for years to come.”
Ashley served for 18 years as a Texas A&M faculty member, associate dean and director of admissions before being named dean of the College of Education at Texas A&M University-Commerce. After three years in Commerce, Ashley returned to College Station as vice chancellor of academic affairs and later as vice chancellor for recruitment and diversity and chief of staff for the A&M System.
Ashley was the senior vice president of membership and higher education engagement for the College Board prior to joining the Bush School to be the executive associate dean until 2023. Ashley was set to retire but agreed to stay one more year as interim dean of the Bush School while the search for the new dean was completed.
In his time as interim dean, Ashley developed the culture and community of The Bush School’s students, faculty, former students and staff. He initiated a student convocation at the beginning of the academic year for new cohorts to learn of the history, meaning and legacy of The Bush School. Ashley also established an office for professors emeriti to serve retired faculty members returning to work with students. Among his other accomplishments as interim dean, Ashley is especially proud of a fundraising campaign named 41 for 41@100, to raise $100,000 for student scholarships during 41@100, a series of events by The George & Barbara Bush Foundation celebrating what would have been former President George H.W. Bush’s 100th birthday.
“Here at The Bush School, we have a community and culture of service,” Ashley said. “We need to make sure that students — especially undergraduate students — understand the community that they are a part of. I wanted to invite faculty back onto campus so they can feel like they are still part of the community we’re building. Bringing donors around through the 41 for 41@100 campaign helped them to understand they are all part of this living legacy of the 41st President.
“President Bush said public service is a noble calling,” Ashley said. “You can’t have a successful life unless somewhere you served other people. I think every faculty member, staff member and student truly understands that. Whether I’m a professor of practice, a researcher or in student affairs, no matter what I do, it’s all to help develop the leaders that are going into public service.
Ashley stated, “We’re put on this earth for one reason, and that’s to serve others. If my service is needed, I have to answer the call. How can I talk to students about being true public servants if I’m not willing to step up and serve others? Aggies have always answered the call. I hope that people will look back on all my years at Texas A&M and say, ‘Frank Ashley had a pretty successful life because when he was called to serve, he stepped up.’ That’s probably the greatest legacy one can have. The fact that when someone asked me, I said ‘yes, I’ll do it.’”
Ashley received his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana College and a master’s and doctorate from the University of Alabama. He is a Distinguished Alumni of Louisiana College and was awarded an honorary doctorate degree. He was also inducted into the University of Alabama College of Education Hall of Fame.
Ashley has also served on boards and committees for numerous organizations, including the Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley, CHI St. Joseph Health, the North American Society for Sport Management and the Commerce Independent School District. He currently serves as the chair of the Clinical Operations Board of St. Luke’s Health.
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