ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ alumnus Frank Willis, LLB 1893, served as Governor of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ from 1915-1917, and as a U.S. Senator from 1921 until his untimely death in 1928.
He was a respected lawyer, teacher, and political leader. After graduating from ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, he stayed on to teach economics, history, and law. Elected to office multiple times during his career, he also served in the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ House of Representatives and the U.S. House of Representatives.
As ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½'s governor, he implemented reforms to road laws and civil service, and he advocated for progressive measures such as the eight-hour work day.
He was campaigning for the U.S. presidential nomination in 1928 when his political ambitions were cut short. Only 56 years of age, he suffered a fatal heart attack just minutes before he was scheduled to speak at a campaign event on ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Wesleyan University's campus.