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Gihan, a 1972 Lincoln Graduate, is Director of Community Relations for the Chicago Tribune.
Lincoln University, PA (www.lincoln.edu)—Lincoln University Board of Trustees has elected Frank C. Gihan, a 1972 Lincoln graduate and director of Community Relations for the Chicago Tribune, as its new Chairman. Gihan, who has been a member of the Board since 1997 and had served as Vice Chairman since 2002, will serve a one-year term. He succeeds Adrienne G. Rhone '76, who has chaired the Board since 1999.
Rev. Calvin S. Morris '63, Ph.D., who had been serving as the Board's Secretary, has been elected to serve a one-year term as Vice Chair. Dr. Morris is executive director of the Community Renewal Society, a Chicago-area anti-poverty organization.
As director of Community Relations for the Chicago Tribune, Gihan directs a staff that manages annual corporate contributions, strategic philanthropy, employee involvement programs, cause marketing, community events, and external community and organizational relationships. He also assists the president/publisher on special projects. In addition, he serves as president of the Chicago Tribune Foundation and co-chair of Chicago Tribune Charities.
Previously, Gihan was home office director of public and community affairs at McDonald's Corporation. A 20-year veteran at McDonald's, Gihan's positions also have included senior regional marketing/advertising manager in Philadelphia, U.S. communications director, national franchising director, and senior community development manager. In 1990, he received the company's prestigious President's Award for his outstanding contributions and service.
Gihan has held a variety of professional positions including as a senior account executive at Burson Marsteller public relations company in New York, reporter at the former Philadelphia Bulletin, television commentator and talk-show host at WMHT-TV in Schenectady, NY, and adjunct professor in hospitality at New York University.
A native of New York City, Gihan holds a master's degree in Communications/Technical Writing from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, where he has also completed doctoral courses. He holds a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Lincoln University, and a Spanish certificate from Instituto Linguistico Atenas in Costa Rica. He also is a graduate of Northwestern University's Media Management Center's Advanced Executive Program.
Gihan has received numerous leadership and community service awards from such organizations as the Quad County (Aurora) and Philadelphia Urban Leagues, United Negro College Fund, Boy Scouts of America, and NAACP. He currently serves as a board member and officer of 100 Black Men of Chicago, DuSable Museum of African American History and the Quad County (Aurora, IL) Urban League. He is a fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago and a McCormick Tribune Foundation Fellow.
Gihan and his wife, Merial, reside in Naperville, IL. They have two adult children.
Founded in 1854 as America's first Historically Black University, Lincoln University provides the best elements of a liberal arts and sciences-based undergraduate core curriculum and selected graduate programs to meet the needs of students living in a highly technological and global society.
From April 2003 through May 2004, the University is celebrating its sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary, with an array of campus and external events, activities, and announcements.