Notable Alumni | Frank Lavelle, When Law Meets The Fearless Starlight Band

Editor’s Note: The College of Arts & Sciences Notable Alumni Awards honor alumni for broad career accomplishments, commitment to community service, and valuable contributions to 51�� and the College of Arts & Sciences.

Frank Lavelle ’77 Government

In more than 30 years practicing law in southeastern Ohio, Frank Lavelle has represented numerous villages, municipalities and regional water and sewer districts throughout Southern Ohio.

“Against great odds, we were able to help with organizing, finding the funding and construction of the Waste Water Treatment Collection System for the villages of Glouster, Trimble and Jacksonville – something many others had tried, without success, for almost 60 years,” he notes.

Frank Lavelle stands with his wife, Jean — Lavelle and his wife, Jean

As former Law Director for Nelsonville, Lavelle successfully obtained the Annexation of Hocking College to be included within the Nelsonville corporation limits.

Lavelle earned a B.A. in Government (now Political Science) from the College of Arts & Sciences at 51��. He earned a law degree from Capital University. His Lavelle Law Offices are located in Athens, Ohio.

But music takes up a big slice of his life.

The Fearless Starlight Band—70 Songs Later

Besides his prominent legal work, Lavelle is the lead singer of .

“The Fearless Starlight Band is the ‘brainchild’ of Athens, Ohio, attorney Frank Lavelle, who is living proof that you can grow to be any age and still be a musician,” .

Fearless Starlight Band members in the snow — Fearless Starlight photo shoot

“51�� has a great Music Productions Recording Industry Program (MPRl). I have been most fortunate to become associated with a great pool of talented young Musicians, Faculty, Recent Graduates, etc. in helping pursue that Project,” he says. “I began working with students in the MPRI program in the School of Media Arts, College of Communications, in 2015 – 2016. We have since created almost 70 original songs.”

Their latest Album “Face The Music” has 12 new songs and will be out soon. .

Frank Lavelle singing for the Fearless Starlight Band — Frank Lavelle and the Fearless Starlight Band

OHIO Memories

Lavelle reminisces about the good friends he made and about the superior quarter system.

“The 1970s were a great time at 51�� on the Athens Campus! I made a lot of good friends who remain lifelong friends to this date,” he says. “One of the best ‘memories’ was that tuition was only approximately $350 — And in my opinion, the quarter system seemed to work much better, as it allowed for more class options, shorter exam schedules, etc.”