DU Law School Facility Gets New Name

DU's Board of Trustees unanimously voted to name the new building after Ricketson. "Naming buildings and facilities for prominent citizens and institutions that reflect our values is of great importance to the University of Denver," says DU Chancellor Daniel L. Ritchie. "DU is fortunate to have been befriended by individuals and organizations of great integrity and character. Frank Ricketson was, indeed, such a person."

Ricketson was a 1919 graduate of the Westminster College of Law that later merged with the DU College of Law. Prominent in Denver's civic and cultural life for half a century, Ricketson died in 1987 at age 91.

His will provided for several Colorado institutions, including the University of Denver, which received $7 million for the College of Law. The portion of the gift reserved for future use eventually grew to $12 million, which was instrumental in financing the new law school building.

Born in Kansas, MO, Ricketson graduated from the University of Kentucky. Following his service in World War I, he came to Denver for law school. Later he left for Hollywood and worked for Howard Hughes, then president of a theater chain. In 1934, after Hughes sold the firm, Ricketson returned to Denver as president of Fox-Intermountain Theaters.

Ricketson later served as president of Central City Opera for 26 years. He was a member of several governing boards, including the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, National Western Stock Show, University of Denver and Bonfils Stanton Foundation.

President Dwight Eisenhower named Ricketson a trustee of the National Cultural Center, later renamed the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In Colorado, Ricketson was named "Citizen of the West" in 1980. He also was the paternal grandfather of current College of Law Dean Mary Ricketson.