A native of Angier, North Carolina, Franklin D. Hart retired in 1999 from his position as president and CEO of MCNC (Microelectronics Center of North Carolina). He earned his B.S. degree in 1959, his M.S. in 1961, and his Ph.D. in 1965 in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University.

Before receiving his doctorate, Hart was honored with NSF and Ford Foundation fellowships and appointed assistant professor of mechanical engineering at NC State. He established the Center for Acoustical Studies at NC State with funding from NASA and served as its founding director. He was promoted to full professor in 1970. His research in acoustics brought renown in academe, and his research team's development of the "Gorilla Goal" brought recognition among basketball fans.

In 1980, Hart was promoted to associate dean of engineering research programs and was named the vice chancellor for research of NC State in 1983. During his leadership, sponsored research funding at the university more than doubled. In 1990, he was named interim provost and became provost in 1991. Six years later he was honored with NC State University's Holladay Medal for Excellence.

An important figure in the history of NC State, he co-chaired the team that originated the concept for the Engineering Graduate Research Center on Centennial Campus, a unique complex for research, learning, and multidisciplinary interaction with industry. In 1993, he was named president and CEO of MCNC. His leadership guided the center from the academic world to that of private industry.