Dr. Frank Buckley

Dr. Frank Buckley served as head of the journalism department at the University of Southern Mississippi from 1954-1963 and left a lasting impression on a generation of students who went on to remarkable journalistic careers.  As department chair,  he acquired a press for the Student Printz, making the university the first in the country to have its own printing operation and allowing students the full experience of newspaper production.  He was removed from his position after fighting unsuccessfully to prevent the confiscation of The Student Printz when the newspaper published a photo of an African-American student who attempted to gain admission to the segregated university.  Remarkably well educated, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana College, a law degree from Vanderbilt University, a masters degree from Florida State, and a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois.  Early in his career, he worked as a reporter, photographer and editor at several newspapers until World War II, when he became an ensign in the Navy.  In the late 1960’s, he founded Buckley Newspapers which still publishes several weekly newspapers in south Mississippi.  Dr. Buckley served as the journalism department chair at Southwest Texas State University from 1967 to 1973.  He was inducted into the Mississippi Press Association Hall of Fame in 1998 and the MCJ Hall of Fame in 2010.