Dr. Frank L. Williams

Dr. Frank L. Williams’ consolidated administrative role as director of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Arctic Region Supercomputing Center (ARSC) and vice chancellor for administrative services began in June 1998 after serving three years as director of ARSC and director of the Institute of Northern Engineering. Williams came to UAF as dean of engineering from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where he was chair of the Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering. He joined the faculty at UNM in 1977 after working in the General Motors Research Laboratories at Warren, Mich., for nearly five years.

ARSC is a shared resource center of both the DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program and the academic community. This synergistic relationship has helped provide significant upgrades in computational resources, establish high bandwidth connectivity, foster partnerships, develop exceptional staff, fund joint appointments of faculty, and provide support of computational scientists. As Vice Chancellor, Williams oversees the financial, facilities, human relations, procurement, safety, and dining operations of the university.

Williams served the University of Alaska as the first of the university’s representatives to the Internet2/University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development. He was also a member of the bargaining team negotiating the first contract with United Academics (the faculty union.) At UAF he was a member of the steering committee for the strategic planning process that developed UAF 2000. At UAF and the University of New Mexico, Williams was the institutional representative to Associated Western Universities’ Education and Research Committee, acting as liaison between faculty and this consortium of 64 universities and colleges formed to foster cooperative utilization of resources in our national laboratories.

Williams earned his Bachelor of Science degree (with highest distinction) in chemical engineering from Northwestern University in 1968 and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Stanford University in 1970 and 1973, respectively.

Frank and his wife of 35 years, Judy, have two grown children.