A. Lee Fritschler (1937- )

A. Lee Fritschler was born on May 5, 1937 in Schenectady, New York. He graduated in 1959 from Union College with degrees in economics and political science. Following his graduation, he studied at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, receiving an M.P.A. in 1960 and a Ph.D. in public administration and political science five years later. Following the award of his doctorate, Fritschler became a professor at American University in Washington, D.C. and remained there for fifteen years. While at American, he was the director of the public administration program from 1971 until 1972, the dean of the School of Governmental and Public Administration from 1973 to 1977, and finally the dean of the College of Public and International Affairs. In July 1979, President Carter appointed Fritschler to the chair of the United States Postal Rate Commission. In September 1981, he became the head director at the Brookings Institution's Center for Public Policy Education.

In 1987, A. Lee Fritschler was elected as the twenty-sixth president of Dickinson College. During his tenure, plans proceeded for various campus improvements and in March 1997 ground was broken for the construction of the three-story Waidner Library addition to the Spahr Library. Also in the summer of that year construction commenced on a two-story addition to the Kline Fitness Center which opened in 1999. In 1998, Fritschler oversaw the beginning of construction of a new science building which would house the astronomy, computer science, mathematics, and physics departments of the College; the building opened in the fall of 1999 and was dedicated officially in October 2000. He helped to found the Annapolis Group, a coalition of 110 liberal arts college presidents working to build support for such schools. The second half of Fritschler's presidency was marked by several unexpected emergencies, including the sudden death of Treasurer Michael Britton. By this time, Dickinson also suffered enrollment problems and increasing deficits.

Fritschler retired from Dickinson College on June 30, 1999, and soon after was nominated by President Clinton as assistant secretary for Post-Secondary Education in the U. S. Department of Education. He was confirmed to the position, sworn in on November 17, 1999 in Washington, D.C. and served for the remainder of the Clinton Administration. Fritschler is married to Susan, a career legislative affairs representative, and the couple have three children.