A memorial service for Ron LaFrance, former director of the Cornell University American Indian Program, will be held at Cornell on Friday, Oct. 4.

The service will be held in Sage Chapel from 2 to 3 p.m., followed by a reception at Akwe:kon at 3:30 p.m.

Among those speaking at the service will be David L. Call, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean Emeritus of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Daniel Usner, associate professor of American history; Donald J. Barr, professor of human service studies; and Romona Connors, Akwe:kon residence hall director.

LaFrance, 51, died July 29 at his home on the Akwesasne Reservation near Hogansburg, N.Y. He joined the American Indian Program at Cornell in 1984 as an extension associate. He was named acting director in 1988 and served as director from 1991 to 1993. Most recently, he served as director of the Akwesasne Mohawk Board of Education. He earned a bachelor's degree from Empire State College in 1980, and a master's degree in 1985 and doctorate in 1995, both from Cornell.

One of LaFrance's career achievements included the completion of the construction of Akwe:kon (ah-GWAY-gon), the residential program house for the American Indian Program on the Cornell campus. During LaFrance's tenure, more than 1,200 students participated in the program's courses and activities.