Longtime Marietta College Trustee, Frank Fenton, Dies

Thursday, September 1, 2005

Marietta College Alumni Update


Frank M. Fenton, Marietta College graduate with the Class of 1936 and longtime College Trustee, died August 9. For nearly four decades, Frank along with his brother, Bill, headed Fenton Art Glass in Williamstown, WV. The organization grew from a modest business to a company known worldwide.

Fenton held the position of president from 1948 to 1978. It was under his guidance that Fenton Art Glass became nationally recognized. He also served as the company’s design director, chair of the board and historian. Known for his extensive knowledge of American glass, he was responsible for establishing the Fenton Art Glass Museum.

While a student at Marietta College, Fenton was a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity, participated in crew and was a member of the Ohio Conference championship basketball team in 1936. In 1954 he was named Marietta College Trustee. He served as Board president from 1966 until 1975, leaving the Board after 36 years of service in 1991.

Fenton was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from his alma mater in 1979 and inducted into the College's Athletic Hall of Fame a decade later. In October of 2000, he was inducted into the MC Alumni Association’s Hall of Honor.