The new $63.5 million law school building will be named after Frank H. Ricketson Jr., a generous contributor to the University of Denver and several other Colorado institutions.

Ricketson graduated in 1919 from the Westminster College of Law that later combined with the DU College of Law. Before his death in 1987 at age 91, Ricketson was an active promoter of Denver’s civic and cultural life.

In his will, Ricketson granted DU $7 million for the law school.

Ricketson’s gift to DU was divided into two funds, one of which has contributed significantly to developing the law school’s programs.

The second fund was invested for future use, and over time grew to $12 million. The money, along with the sale of the Park Hill law buildings for $23 million, has significantly helped to fund the new law building.

The Frank H. Ricketson Jr. Law Complex, part of the Park Hill campus, was sold to Johnson & Wales University when DU brought all its academic programs to the University Park campus.

DU’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously in January to name the new building in honor of Ricketson.

In a press statement, Chancellor Daniel L. Ritchie said he and the board consider it an honor to name buildings for prominent citizens, and he appreciates that DU has been so fortunate to receive the support of high-quality individuals and organizations.

A World War I veteran, Ricketson graduated from the University of Kentucky before “he came to Denver to enroll in law school.

Later he left Denver 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,” according to the press statement.

Ricketson worked for several cultural venues throughout the country and also served on several local boards, including the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and the National Western Stock Show.

In addition, Ricketson served on the University of Denver and Bonfils Stanton Foundation governing boards.

The Bonfils Stanton Foundation is a non-profit corporation created to enhance the life of Colorado residents by generating revenue through strategic investments in the fields of arts and culture, community service, science and medicine.

President Eisenhower named Ricketson a trustee of the National Cultural Center, which was later renamed the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Named “Citizen of the West” in 1980, Ricketson was the grandfather of College of Law Dean Mary Ricketson.