After six decades and a little nudge from family, 86-year-old Frank Cohen has earned his long-awaited undergraduate degree in accountancy from Gies College of Business.

Cohen should have received his diploma from the University of Illinois in 1962, but his official transcript showed he was short by four credits. To save money, he had taken courses at both the Navy Pier and Urbana-Champaign campuses, and some ROTC credit paperwork was likely lost in the shuffle.

Fast forward 58 years, Cohen was on campus to celebrate the graduation of his grandson, Noah Kaplan. That just happened to be the same year that Gies Business namesake Larry Gies of Madison Industries delivered the keynote address. Inspired by Gies and chided by his grandson, Cohen decided it was time to rectify the situation.

Cohen earned his CPA certificate in 1961 but never practiced as an accountant. Drawn by President John F. Kennedy’s call for top business graduates to pursue government service, he joined the Chicago office of the Internal Revenue Service. While serving there, he worked as a revenue agent and taught tax law to new IRS employees, all while pursuing his law degree at night from John Marshall Law School (now UIC Law), graduating in 1966.

“I had asked John Marshall years ago for assistance in obtaining my undergraduate degree, but they were unable to help,” said Cohen. “However, when the law school became part of the University of Illinois System, I thought I might have a better shot.”

His pursuit stayed on the back burner until last year, when he was wrapping up his law practice.

“I was prepared to take another course – anything that would qualify – so I could tie up loose ends and get this accomplished,” said Cohen. In late 2024, Cohen reached out to the UIC Law alumni association, which initiated a fresh inquiry. The University determined that because of a subsequent change in Gies Business requirements, he had indeed earned his place as a member of the Class of ’62.

Cohen said he relied on his foundational accounting skills throughout his distinguished legal career, where he specialized in areas such as estate planning and tax-related matters. While it initially took time to secure a position at a law firm without an undergraduate degree, he went on to practice as a partner at several mid-sized Chicago law firms for 58 years.

“I helped clients plan and structure personal and business transactions, using my tax and accounting expertise to advise on the optimal legal and financial strategies,” said Cohen.

Cohen has remained connected to his alma mater, returning to campus to recruit promising graduates to his firm and regularly contributing to the University and its law school.

“I’ve had the privilege of mentoring many young people over the years, and I encourage them, especially those eligible for in-state tuition, to consider the University of Illinois for its exceptional value and reputation in both business and law,” said Cohen.