One-On-One: Tom Franke, New CIO of CIS

by Martin England

Tom Franke comes to UNH from the Tarheel State of North Carolina, but in review, his travel log reads like an airline pilot; he’s been all over, and then back again. Recently, Tom accepted the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Computing & Information Services (CIS). Signals sat down with Tom to discuss his life’s path, and to glimpse with him into the future of CIS.

Signals: How did you get involved with technology? How long have you worked with it?

Tom: I first used technology for statistical analysis in my doctoral research (1977-80). As an English teacher I later became involved in early efforts to use computers in the teaching of writing (1983-87). As an institutional researcher (1993-94) I was faced with challenges of turning transactional data into strategic information. In 1994, I was asked to lead a college technology organization in a very complete technology upgrade, and I have been in IT leadership full-time since.Signals: What has been the most challenging aspect of your career?
Tom: I feel very fortunate that I’ve had opportunities to fulfill so many different roles in higher education. I’ve been a tenured faculty member, a department chairperson, an academic dean, a VP of Academic and Student Affairs, an institutional researcher, and a CIO. Probably the greatest challenge has been to leave the comfort zone of my academic specialization. While these different roles have been intellectually stimulating, they have required an incredible amount of learning.

Signals: What attracted you to UNH? To New England?

Tom: UNH is an excellent professional opportunity for me following my years at Western Carolina University. This year I was appointed as the first IT Senior Research Fellow for the University of North Carolina President’s Office. During this fellowship, I worked with colleagues at UNC Chapel Hill and at NC State. The richness and range of educational and technological issues I saw in these institutions motivated me to seek a position at a research university. New England—and New Hampshire, in particular—has it all: beautiful settings, a rich cultural heritage, and a high quality of life.

Signals: Where are you originally from?

Tom: I was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. Like most academics, I’ve lived, studied, and worked in many locations.

Signals: Are you married? Children?

Tom: I’ve been married to my wife, Linda, for 38 years. We have one daughter, LeAnn Michelle Blasius, who lives in Mesa, Arizona, with our son-in-law, Jeff, and our granddaughters, Lindsey and Sierra.

Signals: How do you view your role in CIS?

Tom: There are specific roles I have as CIO, such as providing leadership in strategic and operational planning and in policy development. The university is one of the most complex IT environments to support. We provide essential services for university management, student services, and academic computing. This requires a sound infrastructure and effective relationships with the university community. In the broadest sense, my role in CIS is to enable great things happening with technology.

Signals: What are your outside interests?

Tom: Outside work, my main interests are playing acoustic guitar. I learned a lot of great Southern Appalachian music while in North Carolina—bluegrass, country, and old-time mountain music. I’m looking forward to learning the musical traditions in New England. I’m an avid reader, mostly of novels and popular books on science.

Signals: How do you view technology’s role in
higher education?

Tom: From the perspective of the history of human civilization, we’re still in the early stages of understanding how technology can enhance learning and the search for knowledge. In our universities, we’re engaged in a great experiment with extending human capacities through technology. I see myself as an educator who is helping to make these powerful technologies serve our traditional values—teaching, learning, and understanding our universe.

-Published in September 2005