Frank Benedict, January 3, 1929 – June 27, 2024

Frank Benedict, co-founder of the Drew Minicourses, passed away on June 27, 2024, at the age of 95. We are deeply indebted to Frank for enriching the lives of thousands of students by bringing lifelong learning to Madison and the surrounding area, and his dedication inspires us. He fulfilled his vision of bringing college-level minicourses taught by outstanding college faculty to the Madison Public Library at a reasonable price.  

When he retired from Bell Laboratories as a physicist in 1992, Dr. Frank Benedict thought college audit courses were expensive. He approached Ron Ross, then a biology instructor and later Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs at Drew University, about offering classes at the Madison Library.  Instead of the usual 13 weeks, a survey revealed a preference for five weeks, divided into 2-hour sessions for 10 hours.  Frank hired the instructors and the library’s Chase Room, and Drew’s staff registered the students by mail.  The enrollment fee was $85 for each minicourse, and Frank designated the Friends of the Madison Public Library as the recipient of any profit, which was shared equally with Drew University. 

The phrase, ‘a life well-lived,’ pertains to Dr. Frank Benedict.  As coordinator of the minicourse program, he introduced each professor at the first class and took many of the minicourses himself; he was always available for conversation.  He believed in offering various courses in history, political science, art history, literature, and science.  Frank also served 17 years on Madison Borough’s Planning Board and three years on Borough Council.  He and his wife of 69 years, Barbara, raised two sons and two daughters.  The Friends, Library Director, and Trustees of the Madison Public Library extend their condolences to the Benedict family. 

Frank and Drew University ran the program for 24 years until Frank retired in 2016.  Frank donated his time as a personal contribution.  Sylvia Luber, a longtime board member of Friends, accepted the coordinator's responsibility.  The ‘Drew Minicourses’ success was due to Frank’s vision and diligence, the exceptional quality of the professors, and an audience eager and curious to continue learning before and after retirement. 

In 2019, when Drew withdrew as co-sponsor of the minicourse program, the Friends continued as the sole sponsor, renaming it “Minicourses at Madison Library” and opening it to instructors from other universities.  The Friends have operated the program, with an all-volunteer staff, uninterrupted since 2019, including throughout the pandemic on Zoom and when the library closed for renovations.

In memory of Frank and his vision, the minicourses will continue to be an integral part of the Friends' activities to support the Madison Public Library.