Irving A. Fradkin

Irving A. Fradkin (March 28, 1921 – November 19, 2016) was an optometrist and founder and president emeritus of Scholarship America.

Irving A. Fradkin
Headshot of Irving A. Fradkin
Born(1921-03-28)March 28, 1921
Chelsea, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedNovember 19, 2016(2016-11-19) (aged 95)
Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S.
Alma materNew England College of Optometry
OccupationOptometrist (retired)
TitleFounder and President Emeritus, Scholarship America
Spouse(s)Charlotte Fradkin (m. 1946)

Fradkin has been referred to as the "Johnny Appleseed" of college scholarships due to his leadership in scholarship access;[1][2] his work has received national media coverage and government support.[3] Since its founding, Scholarship America has distributed more than $3.7 billion in scholarships and educational assistance to 2.3 million students,[4] which the organization cites as being the largest nonprofit, private-sector scholarship support and educational support organization in the United States.[5]

Early life

Fradkin was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and was the seventh and youngest child of Jewish Russian immigrants. He graduated from the Massachusetts College of Optometry in Boston (now the New England College of Optometry). In 1943, with $700 borrowed from his father, Fradkin opened his first optometry office in Fall River, Massachusetts. He married his wife, Charlotte, in 1946.[6]

Scholarship America

Fradkin ran for the Fall River school committee in 1957 on a platform calling for community-supported scholarships for local students. Despite his electoral defeat, Fradkin pursued his idea and founded the initial chapter of what he later called "Dollars for Scholars" in 1958, by challenging everyone in his community to give at least one dollar toward sending its youth to college. He cited helping children to get an education as his way of giving back to the country that gave to him.[6]

On May 15, 1961, Scholarship America was officially chartered under the name "Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America." At the time of the charter, the foundation was operating Dollars for Scholars chapters in 11 New England cities. National press attention from publications such as Time, Reader's Digest and Saturday Review provided credibility and awareness for the organization.[7] Since its founding, the organization has distributed more than $3.5 billion to 2.2 million students across the country.[5]

At age 92, Fradkin retired from active participation in scholarship activities,[8] although he continued to advocate for higher education and Scholarship America.[9] He died on November 19, 2016, at his home in Fall River.[10]

Awards

Fradkin has been honored locally and nationally for his grassroots success with Scholarship America. Select awards include:

Media

In September 2012, CNNMoney cited Fradkin as a pioneer in making higher education affordable as part of its Money Heroes series.[17]

In October 2013, Katie Couric featured Fradkin on her nationwide daytime talk show, Katie, in recognition of his life's work with Scholarship America.[3] Couric's first book, The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives, also included a foreword from Fradkin. Proceeds from the sale of her book were donated to Scholarship America.[3]

Fradkin reappeared on Katie in May 2014, along with Scholarship America President & CEO Lauren Segal, as part of the organization's inaugural Dream Award recipient announcement.[18]

Works
  • The Autobiography of Dr. Irving A. Fradkin, Founder; Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America, Inc. with Michael J. Vieira (2002, Branden Books; ISBN 0-8283-2080-2)

References
  1. Norman, Arthur. "Dr. Irving Fradkin, the 'Johnny Appleseed' of college scholarships". The Jewish Voice. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  2. "Editorial: Dollars for Scholars financing a dream". The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  3. "Huge Surprises for the Man Behind "Scholarship America"". katiecouric.om. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  4. "Scholarship America: Who We Are". ScholarshipAmerica.org. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  5. "Who We Are". ScholarshipAmerica.org. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  6. Daley, Lauren. "Saving America's treasures". Southcoast Business Bulletin. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  7. Vieira, Michael J.; Irving K. Fradkin (2002). Adolph Caso (ed.). Dollars for Scholars: The Autobiography of Dr. Irving A. Fradkin, Founder of Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America, Inc (2nd ed.). Boston: Branden Books. p. 83. ISBN 0-8283-2080-2.
  8. "Dr. Irving Fradkin to be honored at an April 28 retirement dinner". The Dartmouth Westport Chronicle. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  9. Fradkin, Irving. "Your View: Scholarship America and America's renaissance in manufacturing". SouthCoastToday.com. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  10. O'Connor, Kevin P. "Philanthropist Dr. Irving Fradkin, founder of Dollars for Scholars, dies at 95".
  11. "Past winners" (PDF). Allan W. Purdy Distinguished Service Award. National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  12. Sloane, Art. "'Service before self' honoree in town". azcentral.com. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  13. "Past Award Winners". National College Access Network. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  14. "Rep. Kennedy honors Dr. Irving Fradkin". C-SPAN. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  15. "Irving Fradkin, OD43, Founder of Scholarship America". The New England College of Optometry. Archived from the original on 16 November 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  16. "Fradkin to Receive Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree". Stonehill College. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  17. "Pioneers in college education for all". money.cnn.com. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  18. "Meet The Man Behind Scholarship America". katiecouric.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
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