While in Syria, he earned fame as a boxing champion and professional soccer player. Frangieh attended graduate school in the United States, and received a Ph.D. in Arabic literature from Georgetown University in 1987. After receiving his doctorate, Frangieh taught Arabic at Georgetown for several years before accepting a position at Yale University.
While in Syria, he became known as a boxing champion and professional soccer player.  After obtaining his doctorate, Frangieh taught Arabic at Georgetown University for several years before taking on a position at Yale University.