Hail to Our Cardinal!

Franklin M. Shannahan, B.Chem.E. 1950

The Catholic University of America’s St. Thomas Aquinas Society is proud to recognize Franklin M. Shannahan, B.Chem.E. 1950, an accomplished alumnus who has lived, and continues to live, a very full life!

Frank grew up in Connecticut. He graduated from high school in 1946, which was a difficult year to get into college because all the GIs were coming home. Frank did not have a specific college destination in mind, so when a priest, who was also a friend, suggested Catholic University, he took a leap of faith and applied. At that time, Frank didn’t know much about Catholic University, but he did know he wanted to become an engineer. Frank also met his future wife Mary on campus. They married two years after graduation and raised six children.

Frank’s career advanced with various management positions at a few well-established companies before he found a good fit at Pennwalt Chemicals Corporation. During those formative years, Frank and his growing family lived in Grosse Ile, a civil township of Wayne County, Michigan, that encompasses several islands in the Detroit River. “It was a great place to live with a wonderful school system,” he said. Ultimately, Frank and his family moved to Berwyn, Pennsylvania, where he managed the Industrial Chemicals Division in the company.

In the late 1980s Pennwalt Chemicals was acquired by Total, the French national oil company. “That was the best thing that ever happened to me!” Frank said. As a result, Frank was able to generously provide for his family, his church, and Catholic University.

Throughout the years, Frank’s bequest intention and generous gifts, some from appreciated securities, have provided annual funds for the School of Engineering as well as the future establishment of the Franklin M. and Mary F. Shannahan Scholarship for nursing students in memory of Mary, who received her B.S.N. in 1950. Mary passed away in 2004.

Frank also designated Catholic University as a beneficiary of his retirement plan to support the University’s future needs.

Frank and Carol, his wife of 14 years, continue to live in Berwyn. His children and 16 grandchildren are spread throughout the country and New Zealand. After a year of isolation due to the pandemic and now fully vaccinated, Frank is looking forward to visiting with family, resuming Florida vacations, and getting back to golfing with his Knights of Columbus league!

Like Frank, you, too, can have a big impact on the future for students at Catholic University. If you would like to learn more about the ways you can make a planned gift to the University, please contact Isabel de la Puente at 202-319-6914 or delapuente@cua.edu.