Frank (Francis) Lukasavitz, laid to eternal rest on November 7, 2021, was one of the seven co-founders of MIAD and a lifelong Industrial (Product) Design educator, leader, mentor and friend to countless MIAD students, alumni, staff and faculty. Frank received the first MIAD Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, after 50 years of dedicating himself to the education excellence the college embodies today.
“I wanted people to not just walk away with a degree, but to be the best people they can be, just like my goal for the college was for it to be the best college it could be.” –Frank Lukasavitz, 2013
From the Layton School of Art, to the Milwaukee School of Art, to the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, from the boardroom to the classroom to the 3D Lab that he helped found and build, Frank contributed to the college’s growth and successes we still see today. Frank taught students that creative fear is a part of growing and hosted students and alumni for weekly dinners in the 3D Lab. He embodied the best of MIAD faculty and their lifelong connection with students and graduates.