New York, N.Y. – James Franklin Sharp, after graduating from Chester High School in Chester, Illinois, attended nearby Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. In 2023, Professor Sharp made a major donation to SIU, and was honored by having the Sharp Museum at SIU named after him. Last October there were five days of events and dinners celebrating the dedication of the Sharp Museum.
When he attended SIU, he became a member of the Beta Delta Chapter of Theta Xi Fraternity. Theta Xi was well known at SIU because of the very popular, annual all campus Theta Xi Variety Show, where Beta Delta was in charge. When he transferred to the University of Illinois to complete his undergraduate degree, he became a member of the Alpha Beta Chapter of Theta Xi, one of the largest fraternities at Illinois. While studying for a Masters and PhD at Purdue University, he participated in activities of the Theta Chapter of Theta Xi, one of the oldest fraternities at Purdue.
After Purdue he became an Assistant Professor at Rutgers University, Associate Professor at New York University Stern Graduate School of Business, and Full Professor at Pace University Lubin Graduate School of Business. He also had Management Positions at AT&T. He then founded Sharp Seminars In NY, that became a leading provider of training for Wall Street portfolio managers and investment analysts. Professor Sharp lives and works in New York City, and now concentrates on his stock market investing and philanthropy.
Last October, while being honored by SIU at one of the five Dedication Dinners for the Sharp Museum at SIU, Professor Sharp was also honored by both SIU Theta Xi Alumni and National Theta Xi. He was provided a plaque by SIU Theta Xi Alumni, organized by Scott Shelton and Julian Pei, that says “In Recognition of Outstanding Service and Dedication”. And, Shawn Monien, Theta Xi Fraternity National Director of Alumni Engagement, traveled to SIU and this Dedication Dinner, to present Professor Sharp with a Theta Xi Founders Circle plaque that says “In Recognition of Significant Lifetime Contributions in Support of the Theta Xi Foundation” and a Rosette Label Pin.
Theta Xi National Headquarters has recently moved from St. Louis to Atlanta, Georgia. Professor Sharp has made annual donations to Theta Xi Headquarters, in addition to his Theta Xi Chapters, for many years. He made a significant additional donation in 2024 to fund the new Theta Xi Museum at the new Theta Xi Headquarters in Atlanta. He is being honored by having a plaque at the Museum Entrance that says “Theta Xi Museum made possible by the generosity of James Franklin Sharp, PhD, Beta Delta 142 & Alpha Beta 622”.
Tanner Marcantel, Theta Xi Executive Director, Ken Miller, Chairman of the Theta Xi Foundation, and Shawn Monien traveled to New York City to thank Professor Sharp for his funding of the new Theta Xi Museum. The Formal Dedication and Grand Opening of the new Theta Xi National Headquarters and new Theta Xi Museum is set to take place during Theta Xi’s 160th Anniversary Convention on August 1-4, 2024, in Atlanta.