The Division of Student Success (DSS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is pleased to introduce Dr. David Frank as the first full-time faculty hire for its University Honors Program.

Entering his new role in August 2025, Dr. Frank will bring insight curated from over a decade of highly rated teaching in various disciplines. He most recently completed six years as a lecturer in the Philosophy Department and complementary work in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology concentration in the Biology Department at the University of Tennessee. 

Dr. Frank earned his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Yale University, followed by receiving his doctorate in philosophy and completing his dissertation “Values and Decisions in Biological Conservation” at the University of Texas at Austin. He went on to teach at top universities such as New York University, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Brown University.  

Across his 12 years of teaching, he has molded his lectures to actively challenge students, emphasizing constructive dialogue and his own research experience to facilitate a team-based learning environment that enriches the lecture experience.  

At UT, his instruction has been extensive and diverse, aiming to develop his student’s ability to operate as scholars, critical thinkers, and informed citizens in the classroom and beyond.

Teaching classes like the Haslam Leadership Scholars honors course “Life: Evolution, and Other Dangerous Ideas”, students have appreciated Dr. Frank’s commitment to fostering a safe and welcoming environment, admiring his passion for the course topics and his support throughout. 

“He comes highly recommended by faculty on campus, and students raved about his instruction on environmental and research ethics and moral decision-making,” said Dr. Pat Akos, associate vice provost for Student Success and executive director of University Honors. “He has a keen eye on practical community issues and is passionate about engaging honors students in problem-solving.” 

Beyond his duties in the classroom, Dr. Frank is actively pursuing research focusing on philosophical controversies about invasive species and the ethics and economics of the Green New Deal. Outside of teaching and research, he is a co-director of the Tennessee High School Ethics Bowl, positioning the philosophy department to be an active participant in the Knoxville community.