There’s a new doctor in town.

After four years of study, Troy Public Schools’ superintendent, Jacob Francom, completed his doctoral work with the University of Montana to earn a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. The accomplishment, which he completed after defending his dissertation in December, is the most recent in a life dedicated to learning.

“My father was an educator and always encouraged me and my brothers and sister to get as much education as we could,” Francom said.

On top of his superintendent duties, Francom also serves as principal at Troy Junior and Senior High Schools. He is a man of many interests and roles. He leads a devout, driven life. Perhaps out of necessity, he loathes waste.

“Efficiency is necessary for success,” Francom, 35, said.

An early-riser who often logs at least one hour of study before leaving for work, Francom is described by his wife of 13 years, Jill Francom, as a disciplined man. A Mormon, Francom observes the Sabbath as a day of rest and does not study on Sundays. He grew fascinated by Russian culture during his two-year missionary trip to the country and speaks fluent Russian. He earned a master’s degree in Russian Language, Literature and Linguistics from the University of Arizona and spent a summer at St. Petersburg State University through a fellowship with Duke University. His favorite Russian author is Tolstoy, with Dostoevsky a close second.

Francom’s dissertation examined successful examples of character education in high schools around the country. Character education initiatives seek to instill virtues such as integrity, hard work and citizenship within young adults.

“The five professors on his dissertation committee were very impressed with his high quality of academic achievement,” Dr. Patty Kero, Francom’s dissertation chair, said. “As a student, I have found Jacob to be an extremely hardworking, bright, articulate, trustworthy learner.  In all of his academic endeavors, Jacob consistently strives for not only success, but excellence.”

Francom’s professors have nominated his work for the annual Outstanding Dissertation Award from the American Education Research Association. He hopes his students will look to him as an encouraging example of a man who embraces Socrates’ famous quote, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Francom’s academic advisor, Dr. John Matt, describes him as “a unique combination of leadership qualities including intellect, determination, empathy and humility.”

“I think part of the motivation to get a doctorate degree was to show students that learning doesn’t end when you graduate from high school,” Francom said.

Only 18.3 percent of Lincoln County residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 28.5 percent of Montana.

During his studies, Francom realized that lasting change does not happen instantly. He has grown more patient with himself and others.

Diploma in hand, Francom does not plan to rest. A spring break trip to Saudi Arabia sparked an interest in Arabic, which he plans to study in his spare time. He also looks forward to experimenting in the kitchen with a Russian cookbook he has had little time to explore.

“Learning is one of life’s greatest adventures,” Francom said.