Franklin D. “Birddog” Robinson ‘52 is Hiwassee College’s 2012 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year.

Throughout his adult life, Frank Robinson has served as a teacher, mentor, counselor, and friend to thousands of individuals.  His life has been spent in service to others and this is exemplified through his career and personal life.  There is no better proponent of the “Hiwassee Spirit” than Frank Robinson.

Franklin “Birddog” Robinson was born and raised in Russell County, Virginia and attended Hiwassee College from 1950 – 1952.  While at Hiwassee, he was a member of the Spanish Club and served as vice-president of the Christian Student Movement (CSM).  After graduating from Hiwassee College in 1952, Frank completed his undergraduate studies at Emory & Henry College, graduating in 1954.  He went on to earn an M.S. degree in Botany from the University of Tennessee.  Upon his graduation in 1956, Frank gave back to his country by serving in the army for two years at Fort Detrick in Maryland and has spent several additional semesters pursuing his studies at UT as well as Vanderbilt.  All along the way, Frank never failed to represent the Spirit of Hiwassee College, serving as a mentor to students and becoming involved with numerous local churches.

Frank returned to Hiwassee College in 1958 as a faculty member.  While teaching, he always went the extra mile, providing students with no transportation a ride home during breaks and ensuring his students had enough money to purchase their books.  He has counseled and recruited young adults from his area of Upper East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia that would be a good fit for Hiwassee and has assisted many others in gaining admission to other colleges and graduate schools.

Frank is an active member of the Hiwassee College Alumni Association.  A born organizer, he has contributed numerous hours contacting alumni, updating lists and organizing the Tri-Cities alumni chapter.  Frank has been elected twice to the Alumni Association Board of Governors and has been voted a lifetime member by the board.  Franklin “Birddog” Robinson has demonstrated a lifetime of commitment to Hiwassee College and the “Hiwassee Spirit” and for that, he is this year’s Hiwassee College Outstanding Alumnus of the Year.

Frank will be honored at the Alumni Association Awards Luncheon during this year’s Homecoming.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

Click here to reserve your space at the luncheon and to see a full Homecoming Schedule of Events.