HWS News
10 June 2024 • Athletics • Faculty Honoring Profs. Frishman and Hosking
During Reunion 2024, professors were recognized for their academic impact.
The Hobart Alumni Association and William Smith Alumnae Association honored Professor Emeritus of Economics Alan Frishman P’00 and the late Professor Emerita of Physical Education Mary Ellen Hosking P’74 with Distinguished Faculty Awards during Reunion 2024.
Established in 1990, the Distinguished Faculty Award recognizes the importance that HWS graduates place on the contributions of outstanding faculty members of the past for their impact as teachers, mentors and scholars.
The award ceremony began at 2:15 p.m. on Friday, June 7 in the Rosensweig Learning Commons of the Warren Hunting Smith Library.
An expert in economic development, urbanization and industrialization, Frishman taught at HWS for 41 years. He earned his B.S. in mathematics from City College of New York and later attended Northwestern University where he earned a master’s degree, a certificate in African studies, and a Ph.D. in economics. A Peace Corps volunteer in Nigeria, Frishman taught math at Birnin Kudu Secondary School for three years and lectured at Kano State College of Advanced Studies before joining the HWS faculty in 1976. With his scholarship focusing on Africa (primarily Nigeria), Asia and Latin America, Frishman taught a wide range of courses at HWS, including Intro to Economics, Macro Theory, Economic Development of the Third World, Urban Economics, and Mathematical Economics among others. Beyond the Economics Department, he was active in the African, Afro American Studies and Urban Studies programs. Former associate editor of the journal African Urban Quarterly, Frishman has served as a consultant to the World Bank and is a member of the American Economics Association and the African Studies Association. He chaired the HWS Economics Department and the Committee on the Faculty. In 1986, he was awarded the Faculty Award for Service for his active and public stand against the apartheid system in South Africa.
Former students praised Frishman for his engaging lectures, his exemplary sense of service and his encouraging mentorship.
“Professor Frishman was instrumental in my success as an economics major. He cared deeply about his students and was always engaging,” says Christine Bennett West ’94, president of Tailored Statement Interior Design.
Phyllis Blau ’85, a teacher at Marshall Hill School, recalls how Frishman’s lectures inspired her to major in economics. “His presentation was logical, analytical and so compelling! There were not that many William Smith students who majored in economics at the time and I often felt a little isolated being in the minority. However, Dr. Frishman never made me feel that way. In fact, it was the opposite as he always encouraged me in the field and never wavered…. Dr. Frishman taught me the beauty and the logic of economics. But even more than that he taught me how to think, how to analyze, how to question. These are skills that I continue to use every day and I can't think of more valuable tools to have in life!”
“Prof. Frishman was an outstanding professor and a mentor both in and out of the Classroom,” says Peter H. Brown ’01, a public affairs officer at the U.S. Department of State. “Professor Frishman was clear-eyed in imparting his economic education but was able to do so in a manner that imbued the subject with an eye toward humanity and dignity that shaped the way the class viewed poverty — poor people and poor countries — differently. Outside of the classroom, Professor Frishman was a role model of service — to one’s immediate community…and the global community…and he left many inspired and energized to start out into the world with an aim to make it a little better than it was.”
For more than 20 years, Hosking oversaw William Smith Athletics as it grew from a three-person physical education department to a department of physical education, dance and intercollegiate athletics, which at the time of her retirement in 1987 had a staff of 14 and nationally competitive teams. Hosking was a founding member of the Heron Society and from 1963 through 1987, served as coach of every sport the school offered. She made perhaps her greatest contribution to the tennis team, serving as head coach until 1986, when she assumed the title of Tennis Program Coordinator to devote more time to her duties as director of athletics. In 2000, Hosking established the Hosking Award, which recognizes distinguished former student-athletes for outstanding lifetime achievement in their professional field. Active in many state, regional and national organizations, Hosking was president of the New York State Women’s Collegiate Athletic Association (NYSWCAA) and served as chair of the group’s ethics and eligibility committee, as well as its tennis committee. She earned a bachelor’s in physical education from Cortland College and a master’s from the University of Colorado. In 1987, she was inducted into the Cortland State Hall of Fame and recognized by the Independent College Athletic Association for her commitment and service to intercollegiate athletics. In 1991, the NYSWCAA presented her with its Service Award for contributions to women in athletics. In 1997, Hosking was inducted as a charter member of the Heron Hall of Honor. She passed away in 2007.
Former students and athletes applauded Hosking’s trailblazing legacy at HWS.
Rev. Lucretia Jevne ’68 recalls Hosking’s impact “as a coach, was both a mentor, teacher and encouraged women’s sports at a time when the Colleges didn’t even have a swimming pool for practice or competition.”
“A great lady and a great leader demonstrating the utmost dedication to William Smith women’s athletics,” says Jane Sala McWilliams ’75, vice president for business development at William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty. “Not only was she the Athletic Director and coach, she was a friend. Coach Hosking would move heaven and earth to make sure we, as women in sports prior to Title IX, received the recognition we deserved. Mary Hosking was the pioneer who forged the path to the great success William Smith athletics celebrates today.”
Sally A. Webster ’74, retired senior leadership gifts officer at Union College, says that as a professor, coach and administrator, Hosking “represents evolution and change, starting with physical education for William Smith students to competitive intercollegiate programs opportunities at a high level. How fitting to honor Mary’s legacy with the Distinguished Faculty Award as the Heron Society recognizes its founding and the women and men who were present at its beginning. Developing policy and operations, always with the good of the students and institution at hand, intentionally and fundamentally kind, Hosking made a tangible difference for the students she taught, coached and encouraged.”
See more pictures from the Distinguished Faculty Award ceremony here.
WATCH THE FULL DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD CEREMONY
Top: Professor Emeritus of Economics Alan Frishman P’00 speaks during the Distinguished Faculty Award ceremony.
