Frank Reed Horton
# Frank Reed Horton

Frank Reed Horton (July 17, 1896, in Sewickley, Pennsylvania – August 28, 1966, in Easton, Pennsylvania), was a United States educator. He is best known as the founder and first national president of Alpha Phi Omega, an international service fraternity.

## Early life and education

Frank Reed Horton was born July 17, 1896, in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. He attended and graduated from Worcester Academy in 1914 and then obtained an associate degree in law from Boston University in 1917 and an A.B. and M.A. degree in history from Lafayette College in 1926 and 1938, respectively. In 1937, he was awarded and L.L.B. degree from La Salle Extension University.

## Fraternities

Horton was the founder and first national president (1926–1931) of Alpha Phi Omega, which grew to eighteen campuses and established its first national structure under his leadership.

Horton also was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity, Kappa Phi Kappa Education Honorary, and the Square and Compass (a Freemasonry college group) while at Lafayette.

## Military

Horton joined the U.S. Navy in 1918, commissioned an Ensign in 1919. As an ensign, he served on the minesweeper USS Whippoorwill (AM-35) shortly after World War I and received the World War I Victory Medal with Minesweeper Clasp.

### Awards

His fraternity leadership won him several awards, including:

* Numerous Alpha Phi Omega honors and awards

The National Distinguished Service Key

* The naming of the 1966 national fall pledge class in his honor.

Among fraternity members, he is sometimes referred to as "The Lightbearer" since he was the principal founder of Alpha Phi Omega.

Horton was heavily involved in Scouts and other community organizations, holding the following role:

* Deputy Scout Commissioner, Easton Scout Council, PA, 1923
* Scout Executive, Homestead District Council, PA, 1927–28
* Scout Executive, Shenandoah Area Council, Winchester, Virginia, 1929-1931
* Member, Freemasonry, 1918; Royal Arch/York Rite, 1919; Scottish Rite
* Member, Kiwanis (joined between 1920–22)
* Member, Knights of Pythias (joined between 1920–22)
