The Mr. and Mrs. Franklin E. Eck Endowed Collection in Chemical Engineering was established in 1984 by Franklin E. Eck (’44) who received his degree in chemical engineering from Notre Dame. Frank went on to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II as chief engineering officer on a landing ship tank. He earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1949. His accomplishments in technical and industrial management led to his work as chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc., headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Frank, who died in 2007, served as a member of the Advisory Council for the College of Engineering. His legacy strengthens Notre Dame through the Frank Eck Family Scholarship, the Eck Institute for Global Health, numerous law fellowships, and wonderful campus facilities including the Eck Tennis Pavilion, the Frank Eck Baseball Stadium, the Eck Visitor’s Center, and the Eck Hall of Law. His son, Frank Jr. (’89, J.D.), is a member of the Notre Dame Law School Advisory Council.

The Eck Endowment continues to support acquisitions in chemical engineering, enabling the work of researchers and centers, such as the Center for Sustainable Energy at Notre Dame, in an ever-growing College of Engineering. This collection provides critical resources for new research initiatives, helping to propel the innovation of Notre Dame faculty and students into the national spotlight.