In 1966, the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) opened its doors with 75 total teaching faculty members. Fran Maxin, Gannon ‘61, was one of those 75, and has continued to work as a biology professor at CCAC ever since. Fran has taught at CCAC consecutively for the last 60 years, and as a result, he was awarded a Guinness World Record for the longest career as a science teacher (male).

Despite his record achievement, Fran had no idea he was going to be receiving this monumental award. At CCAC’s All College Day, a part of the school’s celebrations of its 60th anniversary, faculty members and administrators surprised him with the news. They did research in secret in order to make sure he had the record, and he was given the news at All College Day on August 10.

“I feel like a superstar, and I’m not going to leave this place,” he said in his address at All College Day.

Fran is a 1961 initiate and 1964 graduate of the Gamma Rho chapter at Gannon University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in biology. He would then go on to earn a Master of Science in biology at Duquesne University and a Master of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh.

CCAC attests that Fran has played a vital part in shaping the school’s academic foundation. He was the chair of the biology department for roughly 20 years and has even had a textbook, “Venereal Disease and Control,” published throughout his career.

“This all started when I chose Gannon College in 1960 and joined the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. I am so proud of both organizations and thank them for making me the man I developed into,” he said to Brother Joe Cooley, Gannon ‘61.

Today, Fran is teaching his 233rd semester of teaching biology at CCAC. His steadfast dedication to his students, fellow staff members, school, and profession are an outstanding example of embodying the principles of Delta Sigma Phi’s lifelong brotherhood.

“Teaching is a profession that teaches all other professions,” he remarked. “That is why I’m still here.”

Congratulations to Brother Maxin on this wonderful achievement! The Fraternity is proud of the incredible work you’ve put in over the last several decades and wishes him nothing but success as he continues on.