Summer 2017 Franklin College Magazine

#GRIZGRADS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Marching onward and upward Celebrate with the class of 2017 via our six-page recap, including awards presentations, speech excerpts and candid photos.

Building on a history of groundbreaking science Get a glimpse of the groundbreaking ceremony for the Franklin College Science Center and check out the architectural design for renovations and additions to Barnes Hall.

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Honoring three legendary retired professors Steve Browder, David Chandler and Sam Rhodes, Ph.Ds., retired this May after collectively teaching and mentoring thousands of students over the last 30-plus years.

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Celebrating athletic achievements Check out the team and individual accomplishments that gave the Grizzlies and their fans plenty to roar about this spring.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:

At Franklin College, we make ideas happen. We collaborate to link one another with resources that can help elevate the college as a whole. We cultivate possibilities for students to discover and grow in all aspects of their lives. We seek partnerships beyond our campus community that can help shape the Franklin experience. And we strive to stay connected with our graduates through outreach and programming that reinforce a simple truth, Grizzlies are forever.

It is no surprise that it is difficult to find idle time when the goal is relentless progress, but we also recognize that reflection and evaluation along the way are keys to achieving the best outcomes. The summer has provided time to take inventory and gather some indicators of how the college is doing, and I would like to share some highlights with you, beginning with the monumental month of May. Groundbreaking activities for the Franklin College Science Center brought more than 250 alumni, friends and community partners to campus to share in our vision for the future and celebrate our long tradition of success in the sciences; read more about that on Page 20.

You may be surprised to learn that in the last 10 years, approximately 3,000 Franklin alumni have entered into science-related careers, and 54 percent of those individuals have chosen to pursue their science professions in Indiana.

With more than one-third of the student body pursuing majors in the sciences, we are keenly aware that Franklin College is training the life sciences workforce of the future.

The new science center will grow our opportunities to intersect the liberal arts with experiential and engaged learning, giving students an even stronger foundation in critical thinking with the advantage of focused skill sets that translate into real-world jobs. A Franklin College degree means being prepared not just to find one path forward, but to forge many.

The class of 2017 produced 210 Griz grads ready to forge their paths in the world. These men and women represented nine states and four countries, and their top five majors were in exercise science, biology, elementary education, public relations and psychology.

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DEPARTMENTS

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Around Campus

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Faculty/Staff Notes

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Summer 2017, Vol. LIV, No. 2.

Published in spring, summer and autumn

by Franklin College, 101 Branigin Boulevard,

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Franklin, Indiana 46131-2623. Printed in the USA.

Athletics

Send address changes to:

Alumni News

Franklin College Office of Development and Alumni Engagement 101 Branigin Boulevard Franklin, Indiana 46131-2623.

ON THE FRONT COVER: Amber May ’17 positions her phone for a celebratory selfie with classmates Kayle Comer ’17 (background), Emily Alfrey ’17 (background), Lauren DeSutter ’17 and Sarah Taylor ’17.

Staff Editor: Amy (Kean) VerSteeg ’96 Director of Communications: Deidra Baumgardner

COVER PHOTO BY RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

Sports Information Director: Ryan Thomas

37 Many of them already had jobs lined up prior to commencement, and others will begin graduate school this fall. Several remarkable members of the class are featured in this magazine, beginning on Page 5.

As you can imagine, spreading the good news about our outstanding alumni and students is one of the most enjoyable aspects of my job. My recent appearance on the TV program “Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick” was a prime opportunity to highlight the science center and discuss the role that Franklin’s current and future alumni have in Indiana’s economy. Furthermore, my cabinet members and I hosted a meeting on campus in July with Congressman Trey Hollingsworth (R), representing Indiana’s 9th District. Among the topics of our discussion were proposed cuts to federal student-aid programs and the devastating effects they could have on independent colleges, like Franklin, and its students, as well as the potential impact on workforce development in Indiana, higher education accessibility and the level of preparedness of incoming college students. The bottom line is that our students are the focus of everything we do, every day, at Franklin College.

Whether you graduated from Franklin in the last five years, 50 years — or even longer — ago, I hope you will agree that the value of your education has been everlasting. The gifts of appreciation — time, talent and treasure — the college receives from you today help ensure others will have learning experiences that leave profound impressions and provide inspiration that is transformative. Thank you for your loyal support and shared commitment to fortifying Franklin College excellence.

Campus Photographer: Renee (Kean) Knight ’06

Contact Information (317) 738-8000 or (800) 852-0232 www.FranklinCollege.edu

Franklin College is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status or veteran status in any of its programs, offerings or employment practices in compliance with Title IX of the Federal Educational Amendments of 1972, of Executive Order 11246 and Revised Order No. 4 of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 as amended in 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Minar. Ph.D. Franklin College President

www.FranklinCollege.edu

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PHOTOS BY RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

COMMENCEMENT 2017

Griz grads march on On Friday, May 19, the Sojourners’ CEO Robert Kenneth Wilson-Black, Ph.D., also a distinguished author and frequent guest lecturer on the topic of religion, delivered a baccalaureate sermon to the class of 2017 and guests in the Spurlock Center gymnasium. Prior to his sermon, the college presented Wilson-Black with an honorary doctorate of divinity in Franklin College President Thomas J. Minar, Ph.D., thanks Robert Wilson-Black, Ph.D., after he delivered the baccalaureate sermon. The men were colleagues in theological education when they were vice presidents at neighboring seminaries.

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recognition of his evangelical role in uniting and mobilizing the faithful around the world and for skillfully advocating social justice and the betterment of humankind. www.FranklinCollege.edu

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where you are so you can thank them and help those who will come after you. Gratitude is central to happiness, justice and success and is a product of wisdom.”

In summary, Wilson-Black said, “When chasing wisdom, you will fall down, but don’t let that keep you from running after it. Chase down your doubt and make it tell you something about your deepest self before you let it go. Chase down your certainty and demand it fuel your life, without warping you. Chase down your dreams and ask them which are worth living for.”

Education’s everlasting value The day after baccalaureate, the college hosted its 152nd commencement ceremony. It began with opening remarks on Saturday, May 20, from Franklin College President Thomas J. Minar, Ph.D. His message to graduates emphasized that their relationship with the college will continue the rest of their lives, and the value of their degrees will be everlasting.

Minar said, “The example of the lives you build is the most compelling evidence of the college’s impact and value. I charge you to live lives of impact, of service, of happiness. In a world of conflict and division, be leaders, be unifiers. Create solutions.

“And, I charge you to love this place that has loved you for the last four years. As we approach nearly two

U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt receives her doctoral hood from Franklin College Board of Trustees Chair Christi S. Fields ’74 and awaits the presentation of her honorary doctorate of laws.

Thomas J. Minar, Ph.D., college president, Spencer Wesche ’17, double-winner of the Gold Quill Trophy and Scholarship Cup, and Tim Garner ’79, Ph.D., interim provost and dean of the college, share joy in her remarkable achievement.

PHOTOS BY RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

Wilson-Black’s sermon, “Chasing Wisdom, Falling Down,” focused on 10 tips he wished someone had shared at his own baccalaureate. He began, “Each of us has a decision to make about what we chase in life, and I want to encourage you to chase wisdom.

In doing so myself, I have fallen down in the process many times, but it continues to be worth it.”

Wilson-Black’s list of wisdom began with “learn to survive failure” and find value in the lessons learned. He continued with “invest in relationships” and shared the importance of aligning with people from whom you can learn as well as those you can teach. He followed with, “Figure out the balance of listening to your elders and following your own path. Culture and progress demand a rich mix of the two.” Then came, “Beware of people like me telling you that they have the secret to life and they’ll share it with you if you’ll just give them your money, integrity, your mind, your future.”

Next was, “Don’t shun the truth about your family, your religion, your country no matter how hard it is to face. It will save you a lot of time and wasted energy.”

“No one succeeds alone,” explained Wilson-Black. “Closely observe anyone who reaches what you define as success and you’ll see underneath them some combination of support.” He cited family, mentors, churches and financial resources as examples of support. To that wisdom, he added, “Set as your goal, to help your neighbors, classmates and friends; increase the power of altruistic groups. These altruistic groups help us figure out the important stuff of life: To love and be loved, to know and be known, to shape and be shaped.”

Also, he said, “Pay closer attention to the biblical call to care for those who are pushed aside in society.” He then cautioned, “Know that whatever you’re searching for in your life after college, when it does appear, it will likely be in a different form than you were expecting.” Above all, he said, “Remember who helped you get to

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COMMENCEMENT 2017

PHOTOS BY RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

Class-elected speaker Kiara Patton ’17

Above: Franklin College Trustee Emeritus John D. Peterson pauses with his honorary doctorate of humane letters before returning to his seat.

In recent years, the college has made a tradition of inviting alumni celebrating 50 years since their own graduation to return to campus and participate in commencement with the senior class. This year, Robert (Bob) Epstein ’67, Cheryl Zuckschwerdt-Ellsbury ’67, Betty (McKinley) Bourquein ’67 and Alan B. Appleton ’67 took part.

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Journeys, detours and final destinations Honorary degrees then were presented to retired investment banker and Franklin College Trustee Emeritus John D. Peterson and U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.

Peterson’s honorary degree citation espoused his lifetime of achievements and selfless service as a military veteran, business executive, visionary, trusted adviser, servant leader and loyal and cherished friend to many; he received an honorary doctorate of humane letters.

Walton Pratt’s honorary degree commended her as a scholar, public servant, champion of justice and trailblazer; she received an honorary doctorate of laws.

Walton Pratt delivered the address, “Embrace the Journey.”

Walton Pratt began, “Class of 2017, you are graduating from college in a time of tremendous change and challenge in our country and in the www.FranklinCollege.edu

NICOLE HERNANDEZ ’18

hundred years of this magical place, help us in setting the standard for the future of liberal arts and sciences that leads to practical lives, to jobs, to careers, to professions.

“We will continue to love you.

Love the college, and keep it as yours.

Always.”

After Minar’s remarks, Christi S. Fields ’74, board of trustees chair, greeted guests on behalf of her colleagues and wished the class of 2017 good luck in their future endeavors.

Special presentations included four faculty awards; read about them on Page 24. Also, by vote of the college board of trustees, three faculty members earned emeritus status upon their retirement; read about them on Pages 26–29.

In keeping with tradition, the college also presented two student awards, the Gold Quill Trophy for excellence in academics and community service and the Scholarship Cup for highest four-year GPA. One standout student, Spencer Wesche ’17, earned both awards.

Britney Morrisey ’17, Stefan Navarrette ’17, Sunday Okello ’17, Laura Olivo ’17, Kennedy Oser ’17 and Brody Perrine ’17 march toward Spurlock Center for the commencement ceremony.

world, but oh what a wonderful world it is!”

“Your brains are filled with knowledge and intellect, ‘four years’ worth.

Your time here at Franklin and the journey that lies before you will be defined not only by the power of your logic and your intellect, but equally by the power of your aspiration and determination. You are leaving here incredibly equipped for the future.”

Walton Pratt then shared a glimpse of her own life’s journey, including her transition from an attorney to a judge.

She was nominated on Jan. 10, 2010, to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

Then, she was voted to the floor by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 11, 2010, and confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate (95–0) on June 15, 2010, making her the firstever African-American federal judge in Indiana’s history.

“Don’t be afraid to do something that hasn’t been done before; don’t be afraid to be the first,” Walton Pratt told the class. “As you can see, journeys in life are often unpredictable. At this stage of my life and career, I can finally stand back and see the whole journey in perspective, the paths chosen, and the paths rejected, and a pattern emerges, a pattern that over time defines the journey of life. And my advice to you is that you embrace the journey.”

After Walton Pratt’s address, the

class-elected speaker, Kiara Patton ’17, gave remarks. After thanking God, friends, family, faculty and staff for their support and guidance, Patton focused on the positive transformation the class underwent from freshman to senior year.

“Each and every experience shaped us into a phenomenal class,” she said.

“I assure you that our strength and talent are limitless, and we are all bound for greatness.”

Patton acknowledged that the real world will be challenging, but she encouraged classmates to face their fears, work to find resolutions and keep moving forward. Using the example of a card game, Patton said, “We can’t control the dealer or the hand we are dealt, but depending on how we play our cards we all have the opportunity to win.”

Patton ended her remarks with a motivational song titled “Almost There” from the Disney movie The Princess and The Frog and earned wild applause from the audience.

After Patton led classmates in the ceremonial turning of their tassels, Alumni Council President Kristi (King) Guse ’93 welcomed the new graduates into the Alumni Association, the worldwide network of graduates who represent the value of a Franklin College degree and serve as ambassadors on behalf of Grizzlies past and present. ■

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For additional commencement coverage, readers may refer to the college website, www.FranklinCollege.edu, where complete speeches and photo galleries are posted.

PHOTOS BY BRENDA (THOM) FERGUSON ’95 NICOLE HERNANDEZ ’18 AMY (KEAN) VERSTEEG ’96

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Jenna Martin, coordinator of new student programs, adds some extra cheer to the faculty and staff processional with blue and gold pompoms. Go Grizzlies!

David Carlson, professor of philosophy and religion, gets a hug from senior class speaker Kiara Patton ’17.

Jessica Thom ’17, her aunt, Brenda (Thom) Ferguson ’95, Franklin College marketing and communications office assistant, and her sister, Sara Thom ’17, were all student-athletes. The twins played softball, and Ferguson played basketball for the Grizzlies.

Jacob Perry ’17, Sam Pollock ’17 and Robbie Prather ’17 ham it up before the commencement ceremony.

A student admires the illustration of Old Main that was enclosed with his academic degree.

Displaying their decorated caps are Kelly Marcelo ’17, Gabriella Salinas ’17, Jackie Rosales ’17, Miriam Ramos ’17 and Laura Olivo ’17.

Amber Hambach ’17 and Sarah Ramon ’17 gather outside the Napolitan Student Center.

Zay Thornton ’17, Aaron Mann ’17, Alysia Funderburg ’17, Demetrius “D.J.” Campbell ’17 and Ty’ronte Files ’17 sport kente cloth sashes to show their cultural pride.

Kenzie Coffee ’17, Hannah Gard ’17 and Onnalee Oliver ’17 help adjust each other’s commencement regalia.

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AROUND CAMPUS

Grad looks to make difference in war-torn homeland

By Ryan O'Leary Daily Journal staff writer Amy (Kean) VerSteeg ’96 Editor

(Reprinted with permission) Rebel soldiers pull into a displacedpersons’ camp in northern Uganda.

Their mission? To abduct as many impressionable young boys as possible, indoctrinate them and turn them into fighters in a decades-long civil war.

Eight- to 10-year-old boys scatter in every direction, quite literally running for their lives.

Okello Sunday ’17 remembers seeing many of his childhood friends get dragged away, most of them never to return.

Each time, Sunday was fortunate enough to escape.

On May 20, he graduated from Franklin College, a long way from his war-torn homeland. But he hasn’t left Uganda behind for good; rather, he feels a responsibility to return and help provide others with the same opportunities he was able to receive.

That Sunday even survived long enough to make it to college required some fortunate circumstances.

Born in an area torn apart by armed conflict, he spent most of his childhood living in an internally displacedpersons’ camp in the Atanga sub-country of northern Uganda.

In addition to staving off abduction attempts as well as rampant malnutrition and disease, Sunday also had to shoulder the responsibility of becoming the head of his household at a young age. His father, first a soldier in the Ugandan Army, was subsequently abducted by the rebel forces before dying of an illness in 1997.

Four years later, Sunday’s mother suffered what should have been a relatively innocuous gunshot wound to

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the biceps. Because medical services in the area were so limited, though, the bullet remained in her arm. She passed away a couple of years later, leaving an 11-year-old Sunday to watch over his brother and sister.

“I’ve seen a lot of people die of simple diseases and some things that should have been cured,” Sunday said.

“People die of malnutrition because they do not have food — not because they don’t work hard enough, but because they do not have the chance to work hard enough.”

The absence of quality health care was nothing new to Sunday, but the loss of his mother stuck with him.

He became determined to help others avoid her fate, and the best way for him to do so, he figured, was by getting an education.

Like everything else in Sunday’s life, though, that did not come easily.

In addition to his family situation, illnesses and financial difficulties threatened to derail his academic career. But he never let those obstacles deter him.

“I looked at it as a source of motivation,” he said of the hardship he faced growing up.

In May 2007, Sunday caught a break. He was in his first year of high school at the Atanga Secondary School when he met the four members of an American filmmaking crew.

That crew eventually used Sunday’s story as part of a fundraising video for the Invisible Children charitable organization, and he was able to benefit from that group’s scholarship program, completing his final two years of secondary school at St. Michael High School-Sonde in Kampala and moving on to do two more years of advanced secondary study in the city at the Naalya Secondary School.

While there, he immersed himself

in the sciences, studying physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics.

During his time at Naalya, Sunday caught yet another break by meeting a group of students from Franklin College in 2007. The students, chaperoned by faculty and staff, were there for a Winter Term course focused on service learning. Sunday built a strong personal connection with several individuals in the group, keeping in touch with them until another group from Franklin College returned to Uganda in 2010. Struck by Sunday’s intelligence, resilience and desire to bring change to his war-torn homeland, Doug Grant, then the college director of service learning and civic engagement, and Keri Ellington, the college assistant dean of students for student involvement, encouraged him to apply to Franklin College after he inquired about it.

Alumni and students who’d met Sunday during their studies wrote recommendation letters indicating why he deserved an international scholarship, and Grant and Ellington helped him complete other required paperwork, relying on sporadic Internet and phone communication via third-parties in Uganda. It was a collaborative effort bolstered by Sunday’s impressive marks from school, and he eventually earned a Franklin College International Student Scholarship.

The 24-year-old has experienced many firsts since moving to the United States — snow, baseball games, roller coasters and driving a car, to name a few. While all the new experiences might have been overwhelming at times, Sunday focused intensely on his academics and was a three-time Dean’s List honoree. In his senior year of college, Sunday was vice president of the Chemistry Club, and he began

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Doug Grant, former college director of service learning and civic engagement, Okello Sunday ’17 and Keri Ellington, college assistant dean of students for student involvement

how, because I believe that personally, myself, I cannot change the entire world,” Sunday said. “But if I can change the lives of a few, starting from my family or the people close to me or my hometown, that way I’m changing the world.

“If I impact the life of five, six, 10 people, what if they do the same thing? You get the butterfly effect; the world will change eventually.” ■

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

working part time at Cummins, Inc. in Columbus, Ind., where he interned the previous summer.

In May, his plans were undecided.

Medical school is a long-term goal, but his strengths are in chemistry rather than biology. He was accepted into the doctoral program at the University of Kentucky, but he was strongly considering taking a full-time position at Cummins and working toward a master’s degree.

Either way, his academic journey is not yet complete.

“If I’m to go back home with my bachelor’s degree,” Sunday said, “it’s like, I came to Franklin, I got this awesome experience and everything else, but nothing’s really changed, because what can I do with a bachelor’s degree there?”

If he can’t eventually get into medical school, Sunday hopes to earn a doctorate in chemistry and return to Uganda to pursue a career. He would like to pass his good fortune on to others, but he’s come to realize there are many ways of doing that.

“To make a change, you do not need to make an actual doctor,” Sunday said. “You do not need to be a teacher or a specific someone. I just need to have something that can help out in some way or another.”

He’s already helping on a smaller scale. Some of the money that Sunday makes at his job gets sent back home to help cover secondary school fees for his brother, now 20 (his younger sister died in 2015).

By going back with an education and staking out a lucrative career for himself, Sunday hopes he can provide a boost to others as well.

Having taken full advantage of the opportunities presented to him, he’s ready to pay it forward.

“I want to make a difference some-

Okello Sunday ’17 revisits the thatched hut where he lived in Uganda.

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Law scholars raise the bar

Robbie Prather ’17

Emily (Whitsett) Rodgers ’15

The two individuals nominated this year were selected due to their indicators for future success, including but not limited to letters of recommendation; professional, volunteer and leadership experience; and an area of interest within the legal field. Prather majored in political science and was a four-year member of the men’s basketball team and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Rodgers majored in chemistry and was a member of the Chemistry Club, Premed Club and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She currently is employed as a senior building engineer with CBRE, a worldwide leader in commercial real-estate services.

Franklin assistant professor of political science and the Elmon and Lucile Williams Chair in Law and Public Service Alli Fetter-Harrott, J.D., Ph.D., said she is excited to see Prather and Rodgers begin law school.

“We are thrilled at the success of the Franklin Law Scholars partnership with IU McKinney,” Fetter-Harrott said.

“Both of this year’s law scholars bring to the law school tremendous potential. I can’t wait to see what Robbie and Emily will do with their careers.” ■

“It wasn’t about the message of the poem so much as it was about the size and shape of it. I wanted to write poetry that was as compact, beautiful and meaningful as Brooks managed in those few lines of verse.”

Meer kept an interest in poetry throughout middle- and high-school, but she let the dream of actually writing poetry fall to the wayside.

Then came college. To Meer’s delight, an American Minority Literature course she took with assistant professor of English Jennifer Smith, Ph.D., reintroduced Brooks into her life. Smith’s class focused overall on the black American experience.

As part of that, the students explored some of Brooks’ poetry and her involvement in the Chicago Black Renaissance.

“I was once more drawn into her work, though this time it was because so much of it seemed to focus on the experience of motherhood in Chicago during the civil rights movement. As a creative writer myself, I am endlessly fascinated with inheritance — how we come by our mannerisms, beliefs, quirks, tastes and, of course, our biological characteristics. These all are inherently tied into the idea of the motherhood, and to me, it seemed Brooks was writing about an inherited experience,” said Meer.

“In my hunger to learn more about her work, I learned that there was very little scholarship about Brooks herself, so the further I dug into her experience and inspiration, the less new information I could find. It only spurred me to research more.”

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PHOTO BY RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

In April, Robbie Prather ’17 and Emily (Whitsett) Rodgers ’15 learned they were selected for two coveted positions in the Franklin College Law Scholars Program at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Franklin College and IU McKinney

formed a partnership in 2014 to create the program, which enables two Franklin students and/or alumni nominated annually by the college to be eligible for a minimum of a halftuition scholarship to the law school.

On top of the tuition scholarship, law scholars receive designation as a program fellow in their chosen area of study, paid employment as a research assistant and guaranteed experiential learning opportunities via the law school and its contacts.

She has the write stuff English major Anna Meer ’17 won third place and a cash prize at the English international honor society’s convention in Louisville, Ky., this spring. Meer’s research paper, “Recognizing the Voice of Motherhood in the Poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks,” was one of 700 entries in Sigma Tau Delta’s Critical Essay – American Literature category.

The victory brought life full circle for Meer, who became acquainted with Brooks’ poetry in the seventh grade.

“One of her more well-known pieces, ‘We Real Cool,’ made an impact on me,” recalled Meer.

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PHOTOS BY RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

Aspiring teachers earn state scholarships The Indiana Commission for Higher Education recently awarded scholarships to two Franklin College students aspiring to become teachers.

Nate Stonebraker ’19 and Meghan Yencer ’19 are winners of the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, a $7,500 scholarship renewable for four academic years.

In exchange for the scholarship, the high-achieving students have made a commitment to teach in Indiana for five years after earning their bachelor’s degrees.

Stonebraker majors in secondary education and is a member of the Grizzlies’ baseball team and Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

He made up his mind in high school to become a teacher because he wanted to emulate those who so positively impacted his life.

Stonebraker said, “I feel that teaching is a great way for me to make a positive difference in the world.”

He values the quality of the career preparation he is receiving at Franklin College.

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Meghan Yencer ’19

Nate Stonebraker ’19

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As a requirement for Smith’s class, Meer wrote a 10-page research paper on Brooks. She later received encouragement from multiple professors to expand upon the work.

“Before I begin applying to graduate schools, I wanted to prove to myself that I had the skills to tackle such a venture, and that I was, in fact, interested enough in a singular topic to write a thesis on it. After consulting with several professors, they suggested an independent senior research project might be enough to get my feet wet, and so I went for it,” Meer said.

The Branigin Engaged Learning Scholars Program provided funds for travel and lodging that enabled Meer to delve more deeply into her research at the Woodson Regional Library, a branch of the Chicago Public Library.

“The professors are very attentive to each student’s individual needs and do a great job of preparing us for the progressive nature of the profession,” said Stonebraker.

Yencer majors in English and secondary education and serves as a student ambassador for the admissions office and a resident assistant.

She is active in the annual Franklin College Dance Marathon as special events director and in Sigma Tau Delta (English honor society).

She is grateful for the teaching experience she has already gained in only two years at Franklin College.

“My most rewarding experience so far has been helping at a local middle school over the Winter Term, as part of the education program requirement.

By the time I graduate, I will have experienced six different classroom placements coordinated through the education program. It will certainly give me an edge over graduates from other colleges. Education classes are valuable, but nothing beats real-life experience,” said Yencer. ■

Anna Meer ’17

“I walked away with more research than I knew what to do with,” said Meer.

Ultimately, Meer’s hard work paid off with her third-place finish in the essay contest this spring. Her

award-winning essay will eventually become a part of her application to graduate schools. However, she wants to travel and gain some workplace experience prior to enrolling in a graduate program. ■

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Teaching and learning abroad await Pulliam Fellow

Two class of 2017 members are moving overseas soon to fulfill teaching commitments. Both Ryanne Wise ’17 and Erika Brock ’17 applied for positions in competitive international programs and earned offers to teach English to students abroad.

Wise triple-majored in English, French and poverty studies and is the second Franklin College alumna recently accepted into the Teaching Assistant Program in France; Sarah Lawson ’15 previously participated.

The program is a seven-month paid internship for college graduates. Wise learned about the program and was encouraged to apply by her French professor Kristin Wasielewski, Ph.D. Wise submitted initial application materials in the fall of 2016, provided additional information in January and expected to hear an answer on April 14, the date specified by the program coordinators. However, a technology glitch left her waiting three more days for an answer.

Wise said, “I didn't realize how much I wanted that acceptance email until I opened it.”

Wise will begin teaching this October at l’Académie de Reims.

Erika Brock ’17 SUBMITTED PHOTO

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“I am so excited to go back to France to practice French, teach English and live abroad,” Wise said.

“I’ll be roughly 20 minutes from the main airport, so I will be taking weekend trips to other countries during my teaching time.”

As a Franklin College student, Wise participated in study-away opportunities several times and visited Canada, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Poland, Germany and Hungary.

Her career goal is to become a behavior specialist or a teacher for high-incidence students with learning or behavioral disabilities at a school serving low-income populations.

“I want to be on the proactive side of poverty and focus on getting children the attention and resources they need to be successful, regardless of their financial situation,” Wise said.

Brock majored in political science, was president of Student Congress and was active in Tri Delta sorority during her time at Franklin College.

Her passion for politics heated up during the 2016 campaigns for U.S. president, prompting her to take a semester off from college and fully immerse in gaining real-world experience as a staffer for Hillary Clinton’s volunteer corps in Ohio.

“I made phone calls, knocked on doors, registered people to vote and built this team of people to do that for me and help me along the way,” recalled Brock.

Defeat was heartbreaking, said Brock, but she is not giving up on standing up for causes and people she believes in strongly. Law school is on her radar for the future.

In the meantime, she will fulfill a two-year commitment to Franklin College’s Kuji Assistant Language Teachers (ALT) Program. Brock will teach English to elementary and junior-high school students and serve as a cultural ambassador for the Kuji Mayor’s Office.

She said, “I am looking forward to

RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

By Laura Olivo ’17

Ryanne Wise ’17

learning and experiencing the Japanese culture. I have not been abroad, so the experience will be very eye-opening.”

During her college career, Brock lived in Washington, D.C., while interning with the Democratic National Convention and in New York City while interning with the Clinton campaign.

“Those experiences helped me learn to be independent and build new relationships with people, and I think those skills also will be beneficial in Kuji,” she said.

Since 1960 Kuji and Franklin have been sister-cities, a gesture of intercultural goodwill established by the respective mayors and facilitated by Thomasine Allen 1911 (H.D. ’59).

Allen traveled to Japan in 1915 as a Baptist missionary and spent most of her life involved in helping the local people recover from natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis.

Over her lifetime, she helped the city of Kuji establish a junior college, kindergarten facility, hospital and church. Prior to her death in 1976, the Kuji City Council named Allen an honorary citizen. Allen’s leadership and humanitarian work serve as the model for today’s Kuji ALT Program. ■ www.FranklinCollege.edu

Business majors who took the MFT included: Bethany Henderson ’17, Shannon Sosnowski ’17, Juliana Eckel ’17, Jack Knue ’17, Sam Camp ’17, Wil Gosser ’17 and Joe Ardizzone ’17. Not pictured are: Logan McNamee ’17, Jackie Rosales-Avendano ’17 and Brandon Scruggs ’17.

Business exam scores among nation’s highest The Franklin College Business Department’s senior class continued a longstanding tradition of excellence on the Educational Testing Service’s Major Field Test (MFT). This year’s cumulative class score ranked Franklin College in the top 6 percent among the 602 U.S. colleges and universities that used the test.

“These test scores represent tangible evidence of the quality education Franklin College students receive in their economics, business and accounting (EBA) classes and serve as a reward for students who have been active participants in their education,” said Jim Williams, business, mathematics and computing division head and Edna B. Lacy Professor of Business.

As a requirement for their degree, senior business majors at Franklin have taken the MFT since 1992. The exam tests a student’s ability to retain

www.FranklinCollege.edu

and apply the knowledge gained in their EBA classes. The department has a long history of seniors placing in the top 10 percent in the nation each year.

Williams said, “While Franklin College EBA students have achieved top-decile or better scores on this national exam for more than 20 years, I’d also like to point out that our placement rate for EBA graduates is nearly 100 percent and that a few of our EBA seniors were offered excellent positions prior to their graduation. Furthermore, many EBA alumni occupy high positions in their firms and are active community leaders.

“I am very proud to be part of a division that is vitally concerned with providing its students with meaningful educational experiences that lead to both academic and professional success.” ■

Prior to his graduation this May, Jacob Smith ’17 participated in the 77th William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition for undergraduates in the United States and Jacob Smith ’17 Canada.

Participants had six hours to solve 12 complex mathematics problems during the competition. The median score is typically a 0 or 1, according to Franklin College assistant professor of mathematics Stacy Hoehn, Ph.D. Smith scored a 10, ranking him 1313.5 out of 4,164 students.

Hoehn said, “Placing in the top third of all participants is quite an accomplishment. The mathematics department is really proud of Jacob’s performance.”

Earlier in the spring, Smith also had an opportunity to co-present undergraduate research findings on the topic of random walk speed at the joint meeting of the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America in Atlanta, Ga. Smith and his teammates placed in the top 25 among 300 poster session entries. His teammates attend several different U.S. colleges and had collaborated with Smith during an undergraduate summer research program at Purdue University.

Smith will attend the University of Cincinnati’s doctoral program in mathematics this fall. He hopes to become a college professor. ■

Summer 2017

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RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

Mathematician adds another distinction to his list

AROUND CAMPUS

Day of giving ends in roaring success Alumni and friends demonstrated tremendous Grizzly pride on April 20 during the Franklin College fifth annual day of giving challenge, #GivetoGRIZ. Thank you, donors, for investing in Franklin College students!

Donor participation increased by 44.1 percent this year compared to 2016.

Overall, 817 donors participated, surpassing the college goal of 600 participants. In total, donors gave $114,684 in 2017, exceeding the college goal of $90,000 and achieving an increase of 43.1 percent in funds raised over last year.

The money raised will go to the Franklin Fund to provide tuition assistance for students who qualify for need-based assistance and to address other essential college needs that support the learning environment for

students. Ninety-five percent of the college’s students receive some form of financial aid; many of them would not otherwise be able to afford a college education.

Meeting the participation and fundraising goals “unlocked” more than $50,000 from a group of challengers who pledged money toward the one-day giving challenge.

Growing to a higher standard

RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

Franklin College earned a Tree Campus USA designation for the fourth consecutive year from the Arbor Day Foundation. The designation is

Planting trees was one of the projects students engaged in during Franklin Offering the Community Unselfish Service (FOCUS) Day. Here, Vanessa Farhar ’19 does the groundwork while Brandi Bonner ’20 assists and Kristen Burnett ’18 shovels.

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reserved for campuses that demonstrate a commitment to effective campus forest management and a track record of engaging staff and students in conservation goals.

Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation. Franklin College earned the program designation by meeting five standards: Maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and a student service-learning project.

Alice Heikens, Ph.D., professor of biology, has played an essential role in the urban forest management over the years, serving as an authority on botany and as a student adviser.

“I’m thrilled that Franklin College has once again been recognized with the Tree Campus USA designation. We have an active Greenscape Committee

Challengers included the late Jim Kowalski ’57 and Shirley (Phillips) ’60. Because of their affection for Franklin College and their desire to instill graduates with a tradition of giving to the college, they established the Kowalski Endowed Fund.

This grant supports the college’s annual giving efforts by providing annual funds used to challenge young alumni to begin and renew their support of the Franklin Fund.

The annual day of giving challenge began in 2013 with a successful effort, earning the Office of Development and Alumni Engagement a Silver Award in their district from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. Each year the college has met and exceeded its goal.

The next day of giving is April 19, 2018. ■ and an EARTH Club whose members help us in many green endeavors on campus. These groups are essential to maintaining our status as a Tree Campus,” said Heikens.

Heikens added that the EARTH Club obtained funding to plant 22 trees on campus during the 2016–17 academic year and routinely helped care for the trees in the urban forest at Grizzly Park.

The Arbor Day Foundation has helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities invested more than $46.7 million in campus forest management last year.

“Students are eager to volunteer in their communities and become better stewards of the environment,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Participating in Tree Campus USA sets a fine example for other colleges and universities, while helping to create a healthier planet for us all.” ■ www.FranklinCollege.edu

The Franklin College Model U.N. Team earned an Outstanding Delegation Award for its representation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) at the National Model U.N. Conference in New York City, March 19–23. The Franklin team competed with teams from around the globe, with students representing approximately 140 countries.

The Franklin team also earned an Outstanding Position Paper Award, acknowledging the work of individuals on the team. Kevin Dooley ’18 and Taylor Williams ’18 were recognized for their paper by the U.N. Environment Assembly.

Franklin College sends a team to compete in this conference every other year. The 2017 success marks the college’s second Outstanding Delegation Award and third Outstanding Position Paper Award over the course of participation in two conferences.

The Outstanding Delegation Award is the highest honor awarded at the conference, ranking the Franklin College Model U.N. Program as one of the top in the world. Franklin College is the only Indiana institution in pro-

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Team excels at opening gateways to diplomacy Model U.N. members in the front row are Dustin Beach ’19, Samantha (Sami) Roberts ’19, Katie Curry ’19 and Taylor Williams ’18. In the back row are Devin Robinson ’19, Alaina May ’18, Kevin Dooley ’18 and Jackson Hughes ’18.

gram history to earn the award, which recognizes excellence in character portrayal, committee participation and astute use of the rules of procedure.

Associate professor and political science department chair Randall Smith, Ph.D., advises the team and said, “The judges made particular note of the team’s organization and unified message championing a global education program dubbed UNiSTEM. The Franklin students designed the program in its entirety.

“Its mission was to assist member states in meeting the sustainable development goals outlined by the U.N. The Franklin team advocated the merits of education to eradicate inequality and mitigate the impact of climate change, all the while guarding North Korea’s sovereign right to maintain a defensive nuclear program.”

The National Model U.N. Conference is the oldest and largest international conference of its kind and was the first recognized by the

U.N. as a formal non-governmental organization.

Smith said, “The important teamwork undergirding our success at the conference occurred prior to our departure. The team worked together throughout Winter Term to fully grasp the geo-political reality which confronts North Korea on a daily basis.

Coordinating a global policy solution across five different committees each dealing with different global issues is no small feat. In this regard, the team's head delegate, Kevin Dooley, assisted immeasurably in presenting the team's plan to the world and convincing others of North Korea's virtuous intent and dedication to such a program.”

Financial support from the Branigin Engaged Learning Scholars Program, Franklin College Professional Development Office and the Elmon and Lucile Williams Endowed Chair in Law and Public Service helped cover travel and accommodations for the participants. ■

Athletic training majors continue successful streak The members of Franklin College’s senior class of undergraduate athletic training students recently took the national board of certification (BOC) exam for their field. Congratulations, Johnathan Albers ’17, Ethan Bailey ’17, Trey Boles ’17, Emily Day ’17, Hannah Gard ’17, Jeana Gregory ’17, Jack Kimmell ’17, Brandon Lindman ’17, Onnalee Oliver ’17, Jeff Stanton ’17 and Sarah Taylor ’17!

“It is wonderful for the students to know all the time and effort they have put in for their major has paid off,” www.FranklinCollege.edu

said Kathy Taylor Remsburg, health science division head and director of the athletic training program.

“Athletic training majors put in a minimum of 15 to 20 hours per week, beyond class in order to meet the program requirements for graduation.

They give up time with friends and family in order to meet these requirements and become certified. I am excited that this group of students has been so successful.”

Franklin’s undergraduate athletic training program has maintained

above a 96 percent first-time pass rate for the past eight years, significantly higher than the national average of 67 percent. The program also has had the highest first-time pass rate for the exam of all Indiana institutions that have an accredited undergraduate athletic training program.

The BOC is a four-hour long exam required for certification as an athletic trainer. The exam consists of 120 multiple choice questions and five multiple-part scenario-based questions. ■

Summer 2017

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AROUND CAMPUS

Researching virtual reality’s impact on exercise

By Laura Olivo ’17 Pulliam Fellow

RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

Fitness, research and virtual reality intersect in the Franklin College Kinesiology Department, where instructor Max Adolphs teaches anatomy and physiology classes.

When Adolphs, a first-year instructor in the department, learned Franklin College offered an information technology grant to faculty he seized the opportunity to apply, and his request to purchase a virtual-reality system was approved.

“Virtual reality is becoming very popular in the exercise-science field, and I thought it would be a great opportunity for the students at Franklin College to have it as a research tool,” Adolphs said.

Some might say it’s a sign of the times, given that virtual-reality gaming is such a part of U.S. mainstream culture. A 2015 Pew Research Center

Hannah Bennett ’18 and Brayton Allen ’19 monitor and document the heart rate of Jacob Leachman ’19, as he uses a virtual-reality system to engage in archery.

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study indicated that playing video games is especially popular among young adults, with 67 percent of Americans ages 18 to 29 reporting they play games on their computer, phone, gaming system or a portable device. A substantial number of older adults play video games as well. More than 58 percent of adults ages 30 to 49 play video games, along with 40 percent of those ages 50 to 64 and 25 percent of those 65 or older.

Adolphs wants to harness the interest in gaming to support learning and to help students begin envisioning how this type of activity could be used for fitness and rehabilitation in a health care environment.

“I believe learning is about application and not simply memorization.

Students need opportunities to apply classroom material in real-life situations, utilizing critical thought and hands-on methods,” Adolphs said.

“Virtual-reality experiences are another way to approach that type of teaching and learning.”

Several of Adolphs’ students were eager to be the first volunteers involved in using the virtual-reality system this spring. Brayton Allen ’19, Hannah Bennett ’18 and Jacob Leachman ’19 led the inaugural research study.

Bennett majors in exercise science and is a transfer-student.

She said, “At my previous school, research opportunities were available, but they focused on biology and chemistry work conducted in a lab.

The exercise science research I’m doing at Franklin applies specifically to my major; there’s more diversity in research here. And it’s a great opportunity to have because I can take this research further when I continue my studies in graduate school.”

Adolphs and the studentresearchers collaborated on developing research methods for the pilot study. Then, the students investigated whether an individual expends as

much physical effort engaging in a virtual-reality game as self-selected moderate intensity running on a treadmill. The second part of the research was a survey asking individuals which of the two activities was more enjoyable.

Seventeen Franklin College students, ages 18–22, voluntarily participated in the research project.

They had their resting heart rate taken and received a tutorial on the virtual-reality system. The student subjects then performed two trials in a random order determined by coin flip. One trial consisted of playing the archery game HoloPoint by Alzan Studios for five minutes, and the other trial consisted of exercising on a treadmill at a self-selected moderate-intensity pace for five minutes.

The average heart rate during the virtual-reality trial was significantly higher than the treadmill trial, indicating that virtual-reality gaming requires a greater amount of physical effort than self-selected moderate intensity treadmill exercise, shared Bennett.

She reported that all the participants also indicated the virtual-reality gaming was more enjoyable than running on the treadmill.

Adolphs said, “It was a pilot study.

The results we thought were going to happen did occur, but now we can build upon that research this fall.”

This type of exercise research matters because approximately 70 percent of adults in the United States are either overweight or obese, and about 17 percent of children and teens are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Many people understandably don’t like to exercise, but they will play video games and watch television all day long,” Adolphs said. “Exercise is viewed as painful and time consuming. If you can find something that requires lots of physical activity that people enjoy doing, then it can be used as a tool to get people moving.” ■ www.FranklinCollege.edu

RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

Partnering for health sciences progress

Associate professor of biology Benjamin O’Neal, Ph.D., Seth Eckert ’18 and Andrew Kammerer ’16

Grant extension supports wildlife research Franklin College associate professor of biology Benjamin O’Neal, Ph.D., was awarded a $100,000 extension on a grant originally received in 2016 from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.

The 2016 grant of approximately $45,000 allowed O’Neal and eight of his students to study the migration patterns of mallard ducks in urban areas of Indiana and Illinois. The extension will allow O’Neal and three additional students to continue the research.

“A major goal of this project is to provide opportunities for Franklin students to engage in applied research,” said O’Neal. “Student researchers contribute through development of methods, execution of field work, data analysis and presentation and publication of findings.”

The objectives of the research are to examine the movements of mallards that breed in developed areas in central Indiana, to assess the extent to which mallards that inhabit developed areas contribute to overall mallard harvest in Indiana, and to examine the spatial and environmental characteristics of the areas in which urban mallards are harvested relative to the area in which they were banded.

With much of the historical wetland acreage of the Midwest now gone, the mallard population in the Midwest has come to rely heavily on urban wetlands like those in neighborhoods, golf courses and parks. Little research has been done to examine the functional ecology of urban-dwelling ducks.

“Over the course of the four-year project, we aim to capture and band 2,000 mallards. This robust sample size is needed to effectively examine movement, harvest, survival and disease transmission,” said O’Neal. “We will begin final analysis in 2019, but our initial findings are already beginning to tell an interesting story.”

Ultimately, these findings will allow federal and state agencies to make informed decisions affecting humans, wildlife and the environment as a whole, O’Neal explained. In addition to the basic science and management insights, this project also offers an opportunity to help educate the public about the value of wildlife in areas where humans and wildlife intersect. ■

www.FranklinCollege.edu

Franklin College has received a $20,000 Ball Venture Fund grant to establish a partnership project with a neighboring senior living community, Compass Park. The project marks the first of its kind between an Indiana private institution offering four-year, pre-professional academic programs and a health-care provider seeking to address the critical issues of talent recruitment and retention.

“Franklin College is dedicated to missiondriven collaborations with key community partners like Compass Park,” said Brooke (Wagoner) Worland ’99, Franklin College’s assistant provost and dean of engaged learning.

“We’ve learned the most sustainable and successful partnerships are those that are mutually beneficial, which is one of the many reasons this particular partnership is so exciting! The college is partnering with Compass Park to fill direct patient-care gaps while simultaneously advancing student learning and professional preparation.”

As part of the program, 14 Franklin students will be certified as nursing assistants and employed part time at Compass Park.

The college will develop its first-ever accredited health sciences co-op course as part of the curriculum. Students will accrue the hours of direct patient-care experience required for admission into many medical master’s degree programs.

The last time the college was selected to receive a Ball Venture Fund grant was in 2010, when its Pulliam School of Journalism received $20,000 to help the college establish its Indiana government news reporting agency powered by students, TheStatehouseFile.com., housed in downtown Indianapolis.

The Ball Venture Fund, established by the Ball Brothers Foundation, is administered by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI)) and provides seed money for innovative start-up programs. This year, ICI received 30 submissions from 20 member institutions. Franklin College was one of four winners selected. ■ Summer 2017

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AROUND CAMPUS

By Brenda (Thom) Ferguson ’95, Communications Assistant

With a row of gleaming shovels waiting on the sidelines, President Thomas J. Minar, Ph.D., welcomed more than 215 guests to the official groundbreaking of the Franklin College Science Center on May 18.

Faculty, staff, alumni, trustees and friends gathered under a tent along Monroe Street, behind Barnes Hall, the current science facility, to witness the historic event.

Following the president’s welcome, former campus minister Rev. Leah Parsell Rumsey led the invocation.

Next, Board of Trustees Chair Christi S. Fields ’74 recognized the remaining board members and the Science Center Steering Committee members for the strategic roles they played in guiding the college toward the groundbreaking event. Afterward, professor of biology and natural sciences division head Steve Browder, Ph.D., who has since retired, addressed the group. He, along with faculty colleagues, played a key role in reinventing the curriculum in 2011, aligning it more closely with the growing demands of Indiana’s $63 billion life sciences economy.

“I truly believe this facility will be a game changer for Franklin College,” said Browder. “It represents our commitment to preparing our graduates for life and careers in an ever increasing scientific world and embodies the principles of the college’s recently adopted strategic plan. This facility will make it possible to fully implement our new curricular vision of students learning science by doing science.”

After Browder’s comments, Minar

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returned to the podium. “Science drives innovation. And innovation changes the world,” he said.

He shared that college archives indicate Franklin College’s second president, Silas Bailey, Ph.D., led the effort to add the first-ever courses in science to the college curriculum in 1852.

That decision began a long, dedicated relationship between the college and the ever-changing discipline of science, a relationship that has continued to evolve over time to meet the changing demands of society.

Minar said, “The decades of progress and innovation that transpired from Dr. Bailey’s dream bring us here today. Franklin College has throughout its history relentlessly pursued groundbreaking science opportunities.”

Franklin College’s current science facility, Barnes Hall, was built in 1927 and renovated in 1987. It is a 30,000square-foot facility, housing 10 teaching labs and one research lab. The new facility, once construction and renovation are complete, will be 51,000 square feet, with 12 teaching labs and three research labs. Total lab space will nearly be doubled.

The updated features also will include flexible classroom and lab spaces, dedicated space for student research projects, collaborative learning spaces, improved technology and numerous sustainability features.

The construction and renovation of the science center is being designed

by BSA LifeStructures and is anticipated to cost $17 million. The college has engaged The Hagerman Group as construction manager for the project.

The college has raised $8.8 million to date toward the goal of $10 million for the project, and fundraising efforts

RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

New center to continue college’s groundbreaking science tradition

continue. At their meeting in February, the Franklin College Board of Trustees approved issuing a $17 million tax-exempt bond to finance a portion of the construction and renovation and refinance the college’s existing long-term debt.

At the conclusion of the groundbreaking ceremony, guests were invited inside Barnes Hall to review renderings and schematics of the Franklin College Science Center, enjoy refreshments and engage with representatives of the architectural and construction firms and members of the Franklin College science faculty.

Construction of the Franklin College Science Center began in late May and is slated for completion by Winter Term 2019. ■

www.FranklinCollege.edu

ILLUSTRATION BY BSA LifeStructures

The “groundbreaking crew” includes Shawn Hitchcock, project owner’s representative; Tom Patz, college director of physical facilities and energy management; Sarah Mordan-McCombs, Ph.D., associate professor of biology; Steve Browder, Ph.D., retired professor of biology and natural science division head; John Dickerson ’75, trustee; Susan Williams ’67, Science Center Steering Committee chair and trustee; Thomas J. Minar, Ph.D., college president; Christi S. Fields ’74, board of trustees chair; Todd Bemis ’84, trustee; William Receveur ’72, trustee; Kalevi Huotilainen, BSA LifeStructures representative; Geoffrey Lisle, BSA LifeStructures representative; and Terry Greene, The Hagerman Group representative.

After renovation and expansion to Barnes Hall is completed, the new Franklin College Science Center will emerge, as shown in this rendering.

View more information and images at FranklinCollege.edu/Franklin-College-Science-Center

www.FranklinCollege.edu

Summer 2017

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AROUND CAMPUS CONVOCATION LECTURE SERIES

2017 | 2018

Purnaprajna Bangere, Ph.D.

“ADVENTURES IN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES” Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017

7 p.m., Branigin, Room, Napolitan Student Center Join Purnaprajna Bangere, Ph.D., Janine Joseph, Ph.D., and Jeffrey Lang, Ph.D., for a discussion about scholarly innovation across academic fields. Learn about how mathematics can inform music, how mathematicians can comment on religion and what writing opera and poetry have in common.

Bangere is a musician and a mathematician. He earned his doctorate from Brandeis University, and he comes from an important school of violin players in India. Bangere follows the style of music emanating from the Parur system, characterized by high technical virtuosity and musicianship. In the last few years, he has been invited to give solo recitals in prestigious music festivals such as the LearnQuest Music Festival in Boston, the Cleveland Music Festival and the Toronto Music Festival. He has recently developed a geometric framework to explore integration of various genres and is working on this with David Balakrishnan, director of the Turtle Island String Quartet. He is a professor of mathematics and music at the University of Kansas.

Joseph was born and raised in the Philippines and Southern California. She is the author of Driving Without a License (Alice James Books, 2016), winner of the Kundiman Poetry Prize and finalist for the 2017 Oklahoma Book Award. Her poems and essays about growing up undocumented in America have appeared in Kenyon Review Online, Best New Poets, Best American Experimental Writing, Zócalo Public Square, VIDA: Women in Literary Arts and elsewhere. Her commissioned libretti for the Houston Grand Opera/HGOco include What Wings They Were: The Case of Emeline, On This Muddy Water: Voices from the Houston Ship Channel and From My Mother’s Mother.

Joseph is an assistant professor of creative writing at Oklahoma State University.

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www.FranklinCollege.edu

Janine Joseph, Ph.D.

Jeffrey Lang, Ph.D.

Lang is a professor of mathematics at the University of Kansas and an internationally recognized religious scholar. Lang holds a doctorate in commutative algebra/algebraic geometry from Purdue University and is the author of three books on Islam, Even Angels Ask (1997), Struggling to Surrender (2000), and Losing My Religion (2004). These works chronicle Lang’s journey from Catholicism to atheism, and his eventual conversion to Islam in order to explore the conflict between faith and reason. His books study the challenges faced by MuslimAmerican communities in light of extremism, theodicy and moot practices, both from a scholarly vantage point and from the lens of personal testimonials and inquiries.

Since his assassination 50 years ago in April 1968, communities have become a mosaic of diverse cultures that call America home. King hoped that one day the nation would be able to look beyond the color of one’s skin and focus more on the content of a person’s character. While having made great progress, there is still more to do. As the country continues to evolve and issues of race and culture become more complex, what challenges and what opportunities lie ahead?

The time has come to reflect on the lessons learned from King and to develop a plan for using his teachings to keep the issue of diversity and inclusion at the forefront of our thoughts.

PRECEDING “Adventures in Interdisciplinary Studies” will be a recital and reading at 4 p.m., in Richardson Chapel. Bangere, will present a violin recital, and Joseph will present a reading of her work. This program also is free and open to the public.

“Living the Dream ... Are We?”

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY OF CELEBRATION

Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 4 p.m., Richardson Chapel

Maggie A. Lewis, MPA, is the president of the Indianapolis City-Council, the District 10 councilor and a community servant. Her lecture will be part of the college’s MLK Day of Service activities honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Maggie A. Lewis, MPA

“FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE IN A MOMENT OF CHAOS” BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT

Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018

7 p.m., Branigin, Room, Napolitan Student Center Marc Lamont Hill, Ph.D., the Distinguished Professor of African American Studies at Morehouse College, also is the current host of “BET News” and “VH1 Live,” as well as a political contributor for CNN. Ebony magazine has named him one of America’s most influential black leaders. Trained as an anthropologist of education, his research focuses on the intersections between culture, politics and education.

Join us as Hill discusses how diverse communities can organize, resist and reimagine their current social, economic and political landscapes.

Marc Lamont Hill, Ph.D.

®

FRANKLIN COLLEGE UPHOLDS A COMMON SET OF VALUES THAT ENHANCES THE COMMUNITY AND SUSTAINS PERSONAL, SPIRITUAL, INTELLECTUAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH FOR A LIFETIME. WE VALUE: People of INTEGRITY who exhibit

• •

honest and ethical conduct and speech responsibility in personal, academic and professional lives

Commitment to INCLUSIVITY that honors • • •

all forms of diversity the dignity of self and others empathy, sincerity and openness

Culture of INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY that promotes •

• •

deep reflection about knowledge, beliefs and ideas the ability to recognize, formulate and ask discerning questions independent thinking

Drive for INNOVATION and CREATIVITY that encourages • • •

a willingness to take risks adaptability to an ever-changing world the ability to solve complex problems

Spirit of COMMUNITY that fosters • • •

a collaborative environment that is responsive to the needs of others a supportive, service-minded network respect for the personal beliefs, faiths and convictions that give purpose and meaning to our lives

These values are central to the college's annual Convocation Lecture Series, which is shared for free with the pubic. We hope you can join us in 2017–18.

www.FranklinCollege.edu

Summer 2017

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PHOTOS BY RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

F A C U LT Y / S T A F F N O T E S

Steve Browder, Ph.D.

Susan Crisafulli, Ph.D.

Allison Fetter-Harrott, J.D., Ph.D.

Hank Nuwer

Faculty awards reflect scholarship, dedication It is an annual college tradition to present faculty teaching and excellence awards in conjunction with recognizing graduating seniors for their accomplishments during commencement. This year, five faculty members were honored for the ways in which they enrich their classrooms, engage students, support colleagues and contribute to their disciplines, on campus and beyond. Faculty members were nominated by their colleagues, alumni and/or students, and winners were selected by committee.

The college is proud to recognize the following: Steve Browder, Ph.D., division head of natural sciences, was co-recipient of the Faculty Steering Committee Distinguished Service Award.

He retired from teaching biology full time in May but will work on an adjunct basis for the next two years, as the Franklin College Science Center is constructed.

He has played an integral role in reinventing the science curriculum in anticipation of the new center. Read more about his remarkable career on Pages 26–29.

Susan Crisafulli, Ph.D., was the recipient of the Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award.

The award recognizes a faculty member who exhibits excellence in mastery of subject, effective communication, respect for all students and a belief that all students can learn. The award winner also must have a track record of providing helpful feedback to students.

Crisafulli is an associate

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professor of English. She was named the Franklin College Academic Adviser of the Year in 2012 and was the recipient of the Clifford and Paula Dietz Award for Faculty Excellence in 2014. She has led various student travel courses to Europe and is one of the professors who teach within the college’s International Honors Experience program. Crisafulli earned her bachelor’s degrees in English and psychology from Presbyterian College, her master’s degree in English from the University of Tennessee and her doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University. She began teaching at Franklin College in 2008 and currently serves as chair of the English and Creative Writing Department and as head of the humanities division.

Allison Fetter-Harrott, J.D., Ph.D., was the recipient of the Clifford and Paula Dietz Award for Faculty Excellence. The award recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates professional com-

petence, effective communication skills and an understanding of an academic discipline that goes beyond merely presenting information to students. The award also recognizes faculty members who excel at stimulating students and faculty colleagues to do their best work.

Fetter-Harrott is an associate professor of political science and holds the Elmon and Lucile Williams Endowed Chair in Law and Public Service. Before joining the faculty at Franklin College, she served as a law clerk for Judge David F. Hamilton, Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced at a large Indianapolis law firm. Fetter-Harrott received her law degree from Indiana University-Bloomington Maurer School of Law and also earned her doctorate in education leadership and policy studies from the same university. She received her bachelor’s degree in English education from New York University and her master’s degree in effective teaching,

special education from Butler University.

While at Franklin she has served on the Liberal Arts Assessment Team and President’s Council on Diversity and Inclusion. She is a member of SPARC, the current strategic planning task force charged with redeveloping the curriculum.

She co-developed the Franklin College Mock Trial Team and served on the college’s most recent Presidential Search Committee.

Hank Nuwer was the recipient of the Faculty Excellence in Scholarship Award. The award recognizes a faculty member’s scholarly achievement at the college, as well as his/her work outside the college (publications, conferences, etc.).

Nuwer is a professor of journalism and a nationally recognized authority on hazing.

He received his bachelor’s degree in English from Buffalo State College and his master’s degree

www.FranklinCollege.edu

New provost-dean hired

Sam Rhodes, Ph.D., was a co-recipient of the Faculty Steering Committee Distinguished Service Award.

The award is given to a faculty member or members who show outstanding service to the college. Rhodes retired in May as a full-time professor of biology but will return this fall as an adjunct faculty member. Read more about his remarkable career on Pages 26–29. ■

www.FranklinCollege.edu

New vice president joins campus In May, Franklin College welcomed Evelyn Buchanan as vice president for development and alumni engagement; she serves on the President’s Cabinet.

Buchanan brings more than 20 years of fundraising experience, most recently serving at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., where she was vice president for institutional advancement for two years. Her other previous career experience includes positions at several New York institutions: Colgate University, SUNY Empire State College, the Culinary Institute of America and the Institute of Ecosystem Studies. She also worked for Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire and has experience as a development consultant.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Empire State College and a Master of Science degree in management– Evelyn Buchanan nonprofit leadership from New England College.

“I am thrilled to welcome Evelyn to the Franklin College community,” said President Thomas J. Minar, Ph.D. “I know her vast experience in development will be a great asset to the college, and ultimately our students. Her ability to be a strong leader and team builder, coupled with her resourceful and creative approaches to engaging donors, are certain to make a difference in the future of our college. She will be a wonderful partner for all of us engaged in building relationships for the college.” ■ Summer 2017

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SUBMITTED PHOTO

in English from New Mexico Highlands University. Nuwer has been interviewed about hazing topics on CNN, ABC News, ESPN and the “Today Show,” among others. He also has published 26 books, fiction and non-fiction, and roughly 2,200 articles.

Nuwer has been named a Distinguished Alumnus of the State University College of New York for his work on hazing; the university also awarded him an honorary doctorate. Additionally, Nuwer was elected to the Ball State University Journalism Hall of Fame for his long career as an author and journalist. His manuscripts are part of the Hank Nuwer Hazing Collection in the BSU library. Nuwer is a founding board member of HazingPrevention.com. The organization named its top annual award in his honor.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Sam Rhodes, Ph.D.

In July, Lori K. Schroeder began her new role as provost and dean of Franklin College. She supervises and oversees curricular, instructional and research affairs, working in collaboration with faculty.

Schroeder previously worked for Knox College in Galesburg, Ill., where she served as associate dean for the last seven years.

Prior to that, she taught English at Knox, beginning in 1996 and evolving into the department chair in 2003. Her other previous career experience includes teaching at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, N.Y., the University of Illinois and the University of Denver in Colorado. She has spent her entire professional career at liberal arts institutions.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Purdue University, a Master of Arts degree in English literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Lori K. Schroeder and a doctorate in English language and literature from the University of Denver.

“I am confident Lori will be a great addition to our campus community,” said President Thomas J. Minar, Ph.D. “While at Knox, she demonstrated great leadership as a department chair and as associate dean of the college. She also created new programs and initiatives from the ground up, leading to greater student success, and held key roles, working strategically with college administrators.

“She brings a wealth of experience in supporting faculty development and applying resources to enhance those opportunities. Her extensive involvement with student persistence efforts linking academic and student affairs and her previous experience overseeing a robust academic advising program will be assets.” ■

F A C U LT Y / S T A F F N O T E S

Career roots and new pursuits

By Laura Olivo ’17 Pulliam Fellow

For three legendary Franklin College professors who retired this academic year, the immediate future is sure to be more action-packed than front porches and rocking chairs. Rather, the three professors — with 109 years of service devoted to education among them — will be pursuing passion projects, traveling and spending time with family. Two of them also will continue teaching part time at the college, during alternating semesters for the next two years.

Guiding successful generations of students After receiving his bachelor’s degree in biology from Pacific Lutheran University and his doctorate in plant physiology from the University of Oklahoma, where he was an instructor, Steve Browder, Ph.D., accepted an assistant biology professor position at Franklin College in 1978. Since then, Browder has served as head of the natural sciences division, taught two generations of students, witnessed the then 60-year-old Barnes Hall undergo a restoration in 1987 and been deeply involved in planning for its upcoming renovation and expansion, which will result in a science center. There were many changes at Franklin College

over the course of his career, but his reason for teaching remained constant.

“It was all about working with the students and watching them grow and develop,” Browder said. “During my career at Franklin, we had 120 students accepted into medical school, and that’s something I’m proud of.

I also had a pre-dental student graduate this year whose dad was one of my students, and he also went to dental school.”

Jeff Harmon ’93, D.D.S., practices in Jasper, Ind., and his son, Thad Harmon ’17, is attending dental school in the fall. Both benefited tremendously from Browder’s classes and mentoring.

GREG WHITAKER

Steve Browder, Ph.D., mentors Atama Abdourahmane ’16 through a biology lab.

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“Dr. Browder was a challenging professor but was always very fair,” Jeff recalled. “He had an open-door policy and made himself available whenever there was a need. He was an aboveand-beyond professor who was always encouraging and always had a positive attitude.”

When it became time for Thad to consider his college choices, Jeff made sure there was a visit to Franklin College and an introductory meeting with Browder on the schedule. As Jeff hoped, the visit made a lasting impression.

“I thought, if Dr. Browder is invested in helping me, then I shouldn’t pass this opportunity up,” Thad said. “Now, I’m incredibly appreciative of all the time he’s put into me and my family.

It’s definitely the fondest part of my college career.”

Browder taught such courses as General Biology, Cell Biology and Microbiology, served as academic adviser for premed students, oversaw the premed SCRUBS Club and occupied the Charles A. Deppe Endowed Chair in Biology, a position he held since 1987. He also served on the Franklin College Physician Assistant Studies Advisory Board, which gives guidance on the development of a master’s program.

“The fact that I stayed at Franklin my whole career means I really enjoyed it and going to work was something that I did that was fun.

I got to teach students and see them become successful once they’d gone www.FranklinCollege.edu

www.FranklinCollege.edu

GREG WHITAKER

through our program,” Browder said.

Ensuring that Franklin College can continue its successful track record in the sciences and provide students with the type of curriculum and engagedlearning opportunities that will make them desirable to prospective employers is important to Browder. It’s the reason he has been driving renovation and expansion plans for the Franklin College Science Center.

“Former Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs David Brailow got us going on the original planning process, and the board of trustees agreed to move forward and raise money in 2011,” Browder said. His involvement has included fundraising with the college’s development officers and collaborating with architects on the center’s design. He and former Franklin College President Jay Moseley also spent significant time meeting with Indiana business leaders in the life sciences to gain clear understanding of their needs and expectations of future employees. To help Franklin students majoring in the sciences compete in the workforce, it was clear the science curriculum needed updated and the building in which the curriculum was delivered would need to be overhauled. A reinvented science curriculum rolled out in the fall of 2012; it emphasizes project-based hands-on learning and integrates broad technologies.

“Our role is to make sure students graduate knowing how to think like scientists,” said Browder. The new science center is key to helping the college continue the momentum behind its strong science programs and fully realize the curriculum.

Groundbreaking for the science center took place May 18, and the renovation and construction will take approximately two years. The first year

Sam Rhodes, Ph.D., reviews organ names and functions with Allison (Mitchell) Stropes ’13.

will be dedicated to building a new section, and the second year will focus on renovating existing spaces, Over the same period, Browder plans to travel in the fall academic semesters and teach at the college in the spring semesters, giving him the chance to witness the building’s progress and be present for the completion.

“It’s kind of my baby, and I’ll have a vested interest in it,” Browder said.

Browder’s commitment to seeing the science center completed offers a glimpse of his overall professional dedication. Over the years, he amassed many Franklin College honors, including the 1984 Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, the 1994 Clifford and Paula Dietz Award for Faculty Excellence and the 2010 Faculty Distinguished Service Award. In 1997, he was awarded a sabbatical study to do research on molecular biotechnology, and he was the past recipient of a competitive grant from the Lilly Endowment for course development.

One wonders what’s next, after Browder fully retires.

“That’s a good question,” he said.

“We’ll (spouse Lynette) keep our house in Franklin, visit our daughter in Virginia and son in Indianapolis and do a lot of traveling.” They have a monthlong trip planned to Australia

and New Zealand next fall. Browder also plans to spend more time learning guitar and teaching himself astronomy.

Mentoring students to pursue their passions Sam Rhodes, Ph.D., grew up north of Detroit, and he started his college education at Ohio Wesleyan University.

After two years, he spent a year abroad in Strasbourg, France. Upon his return home, he transferred to the University of Michigan, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology. Then, it was on to Michigan State University, where he completed both a master’s degree and a doctorate in physiology.

“I came to Franklin College in 1979 because I always wanted to teach at a small liberal arts school. I was a part of the faculty for three years before going to teach at another school,” Rhodes recalled. “I kept in touch with Dr. Browder, and he convinced me to come back, and I taught at Franklin ever since the fall of 1986.”

Rhodes chaired the biology department and taught several courses, such as Human Anatomy and Physiology, Animal Physiology and Bioethics. The latter is a mixture of the liberal arts, biology and psychology.

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F A C U LT Y / S T A F F N O T E S

For Payton Thomas ’17, a biology major who pursued the preveterinarian track and minored in neuroscience and chemistry, the Bioethics class was critical to helping her decide which specialization to pursue in veterinarian school this fall.

“When we got on the topic of cloning animals and insemination that really fascinated me, and I enjoyed the discussions about ethical issues in medicine and cloning,” Thomas said. “Dr. Rhodes opened my eyes to a path in veterinarian medicine that I didn’t know existed.

He will be greatly missed when he fully retires, especially because of his science puns!”

Rhodes said that when he began teaching at Franklin College none of the science professors were doing research projects. Now, he says all the professors do research; many of them collaborate with students and also find research opportunities for students with community partners. This past academic year, Rhodes supervised collaborative student-research projects in two different areas, environmental pollutants affecting reproductive cells and how specific compounds affect the processes of memory and learning.

With Rhodes’ guidance, D’Onna Robinson ’17 investigated how environmental pollutants affect reproductive cells in cows as her senior research requirement.

“I was really in a pinch to fulfill my senior research requirement, and Dr. Rhodes was willing to take the time to work with me,” Robinson said.

“He was a great research mentor and professor.” Rhodes even inspired Robinson to reconsider her career plans. After her graduation from Franklin College, Robinson will be enrolled in a clinical lab science program through Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

“After I took his Human Anatomy and Physiology class, I switched my athletic training major to biology.

I’m so honored to have gotten the chance to work with him.”

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Robinson’s story is only one example of the student successes that fueled Rhodes’ passion for teaching.

He also served as an on-campus mentor for many students during their senior internship experiences.

“I really enjoy catching up with former students and learning about their career successes; it happens over and over again,” Rhodes said. “Right now my optometrist is a former student. When I had lower back problems the orthopedic surgeon was a former student, and another former student is a veterinarian in Arizona — that’s exciting!”

Over the course of his career, Rhodes won many Franklin College awards, including the 1989 Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, the 1996 Adviser of the Year Award, the 1997 Clifford and Paula Dietz Faculty Excellence Award and the 2012 Faculty Steering Committee Distinguished Service Award. In 1999, he used his sabbatical to make computer-based lab applications for his anatomy and physiology courses; he recognized that technology was an important part of professional development for students.

His early efforts to integrate technology into the curriculum helped lay a foundation for the engaged learning activities vital to reinforcing learning today.

During his retirement, Rhodes will teach part time, alternating duties with Browder. He also plans to get involved in Indiana politics, play his guitar more often and travel. He and his spouse, Frances, will keep their residence in Franklin but will visit their sons in Massachusetts and California and travel to South Africa to explore Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls. Rhodes is eager to hike and see the wildlife.

Rhodes also will continue his volunteerism in the Franklin community; he currently serves on the ethics committee at Johnson Memorial Hospital and on a scholarship committee for The People Foundation.

Leading students on philosophical journeys Professor of philosophy and religion David Chandler, Ph.D., has crossed the Atlantic Ocean and the equator numerous times to lead students on travel-study experiences designed to help them gain global perspective and address some of life’s toughest questions.

Chandler’s own search for meaning, appreciation for history and insatiable curiosity about the world have helped shape his career. He claims the first philosophy class he ever took at his undergraduate alma mater, Wheaton College, “hooked” him. He went on to earn his master’s degree in theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and his doctorate from Southern Illinois University. He taught for five years at a small liberal arts college in Iowa prior to joining the Franklin College faculty in 1981.

During his career, Chandler chaperoned students on 13 different travelstudy courses to Brazil, Germany, Turkey, Poland, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland and California’s San Francisco Bay area, returning to some locations multiple times. For many students, Chandler’s travel-study courses were life-altering.

That was the case for David Barickman ’14, who earned his bachelor’s degree in religious studies and took a Winter Term course in Turkey with Chandler in 2013.

“That is my favorite trip and my favorite country out of all I have visited,” Barickman said. “Dr. Chandler’s excitement for Turkey was overwhelming and contagious; I couldn’t help but be excited too.

But, he always refocused our group on the magnitude of what happened in each church or mosque we were visiting.”

Currently, Barickman is obtaining his master of divinity degree at a seminary in Indianapolis.

“Dr. Chandler played an important role in my ability to transition into graduate work on religion,” Barickman

www.FranklinCollege.edu

www.FranklinCollege.edu

me to think differently and taught me so much.”

With guidance from Chandler, Bullock created a master’s thesis for graduate school. Chandler also gave Bullock the chance to present her thesis as a supplemental instructor in the Introduction to Philosophy course.

“I’m not sure how many professors on campus would let a student have their teaching time, but I was so honored and humbled to be given the opportunity,” Bullock said. “It meant a lot to me as a student.”

One of Chandler’s immediate plans after retirement included attending a June seminar at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Chandler and approximately 15 other professors from around the world were invited to participate in the seminar addressing “Martin Luther’s Theology and the Jews.” Beyond that, Chandler will dedicate more time to his hobbies such as classical guitar and photography. In the 1990s, Chandler formed the Franklin Guitar Ensemble, a quartet that played at college functions, weddings, churches, book stores and conferences across the Midwest. Over the years, Franklin College has hosted multiple exhibits of his photography, which often documents travel experiences.

Chandler anticipated postponing any major decisions or making any other commitments during the first six months of retirement.

“Friends who have retired gave me that advice, and it sounds like good advice,” Chandler explained. “I love to travel, obviously, and I have plans to go to Utah, Nevada and New Mexico.”

During his Franklin College career, Chandler earned the 2009 Faculty Teaching Excellence Award. He also served as the Maurice V. and Rose S. Johnson Chair in the Humanities. He earned two sabbaticals, first to study classical guitar at the Schule for Musik in Münster, Germany, which led to founding the Franklin Guitar Ensemble, and second to work on a

RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

said. “In his courses, I learned how to critically reflect on faith, religion and how we come to hold our beliefs. At the seminary, a lot of other students struggle with that type of thinking.”

Barickman added that he believes wholeheartedly his acceptance into a competitive summer program in 2014 was contingent on having traveled to Turkey with Chandler. The program called the Ibrahim Leadership and Dialogue Project engages high-achieving U.S. students in a two-week studytour in three Middle Eastern countries where they meet with leaders and organizations representing a range of viewpoints that help provide understanding about nuances of the region.

Chandler enjoyed addressing contemporary issues such as the Middle East in his philosophy classes as well as in core liberal arts courses he taught. Key topics he delved deeply into with students included hierarchy of privileges and living sustainably.

He often coordinated off-campus visits to farms and other businesses, where students observed green practices and learned about their economic and environmental impact.

However, one course was his longtime favorite to teach. “I have to say, after teaching 40 years of Intro to Philosophy, I still really enjoyed that challenge of trying to introduce philosophy to students,” Chandler said. “I taught that learning is more important than getting answers. When I saw students become curious that was an accomplishment, and seeing the little sparks in their eyes when an idea clicked was rewarding.”

Alexis Bullock ’18 double majors in philosophy and political science, and she praises Chandler for making her a stronger student.

“I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since I was really little, and I still plan on going to law school upon graduation, but after taking Chandler’s Intro to Philosophy class, I knew that I wanted to add philosophy as a major,” Bullock said. “I loved the class and how it challenged my position, how it forced

David Chandler, Ph.D., points at the board to emphasize important information.

photography project that culminated in a public exhibit at the college and enabled him to teach at The American University in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. He twice received grants from German academic societies to carry out research on 18th century Enlightenment era philosopher Immanuel Kant, which resulted in editing a scholarly book published by one of the country’s top academic presses. Further, Chandler was invited twice to speak at conferences on Kant in Kaliningrad, Russia, where the latter lived and taught.

Volunteerism is important to Chandler, who served five years on the Indianapolis-based Fathers and Families Center Board of Directors and helped co-found the Johnson County Interchurch Food Pantry in Franklin in 1988. ■

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ATHLETICS

Teams with steam, go Grizzlies!

By Amy (Kean) VerSteeg ’96 Editor

The Franklin College magazine provides a glimpse of athletic highlights compiled from the most recent information available at the time of publication. For statistics, player bios and in-depth coverage of the 21 individual sports, please consult the college’s athletic website, www.FranklinGrizzlies.com, or follow athletic news on Twitter and Facebook.

The lacrosse team’s Hannah Grow ’17, an attacker, maintains control of the ball as her opponents attempt a block.

ZOIE RICHEY ’18

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Softball It was another stellar year for the Grizzlies’ softball team. The team concluded the regular-season by sweeping a doubleheader at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. The team won the first game in five innings, 14–5, and the second game ended 8–4.

Franklin College went on to defeat Anderson University in the opening game of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Tournament before falling to Transylvania University in game two. With the loss, the Grizzlies had to play in an elimination game the next day against Defiance College. The Grizzlies defeated Defiance 5–2 and advanced to the HCAC Softball Tournament Championship but lost 6–3 against Transylvania and finished second in the tournament. www.FranklinCollege.edu

JACKSON BARNES ’19

Softball team members Madyson Conner ’19, Ashley Burns ’19, Danielle Speas ’19, Megan Goebel ’18, Taylor Johnson ’17, Bailey Lindamood ’17, Megan Lalioff ’17, Jessica Thom ’17, Alexis Tarver ’18, Savannah Blevins ’17 and Morgan Burch ’18 break from a team huddle.

Several Grizzlies amassed HCAC honors, including first baseman Savannah Blevins ’17, selected MVP. Blevins hit .440 in league play with a conference-best slugging percentage of .940. She also led the HCAC with seven home runs and 47 total bases and was second in RBIs with 19.

Blevins was joined on the All-HCAC First Team by outfielder Megan Lalioff ’17, outfielder Monica Collins ’19 and pitcher Olivia Paszek ’18 who earned Second Team honors. In addition, catcher Taylor Johnson ’17 earned Honorable Mention recognition, and third baseman Jessica Thom ’17 was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team.

The softball team finished the season 26-17 overall.

Women’s Basketball The women’s basketball team closed www.FranklinCollege.edu

the regular season with a 57–55 win against Anderson on Senior Day and rode a wave of momentum toward the HCAC Tournament. As winners of six of their previous eight games, the fifthseeded Grizzlies were fired up to face No. 4 seed Hanover College. Led by double-digit scoring from Emily Alfrey ’17, Mandy Fisher ’17 and Riley Achenbach ’18, the Grizzlies knocked off the Panthers 65–64 in the first round of tournament play. The semifinal game of the tournament was a defensive battle between Franklin and Rose-Hulman, with each team forced to shoot nearly 30 percent from the field. The Engineers edged out the Grizzlies 57–41.

Franklin finished the season 14–12 overall and 11–7 in the HCAC. Four players earned HCAC honors.

For the third consecutive year, guard

Lauren DeSutter ’17 was named to the Second Team. A four-year starter, she averaged 8.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and nearly two steals per game. Forward Sarah Taylor ’17 and guard Fisher received Honorable Mention. Center Amber May ’17 was selected to the All-Sportsmanship Team.

Women’s Golf Hannah Sharkey ’19 has been named a Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar.

A former standout at Carmel High School (Ind.), Sharkey now majors in accounting and finance. She consistently maintains a 3.5 or better GPA. Women’s Lacrosse The women’s lacrosse team ended the season with a 17–11 loss against their visitor, St. Vincent College.

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ATHLETICS

Jess Silva ’18 had three goals, and Lexi Ingram ’17 and Abby Stayer ’18 had two each for the Grizzlies, who finished the season 6–7 overall and were 4–5 in the Ohio River Lacrosse Conference (ORLC).

Three Grizzlies earned All-ORLC recognition. Midfielder Ingram earned First Team honors after leading the Grizzlies in goals and assists. She had 42 goals and 21 assists and was one of the top players in the ORLC throughout the season. Attacker Hannah Grow ’17 was named to the Second Team, and defender Alysia Funderburg ’17 was selected to the Sportsmanship Team.

Women’s Track and Field The women’s track and field team posted some season-best marks during the Bill Smith Challenge meet held indoors at Vincennes University in March. The Grizzlies, with a combined score of 87, earned first place in a fourteam field that included Thomas More, Mount St. Joseph and Earlham.

In the 200-meter dash, Sarah Miller ’20 and Alexis Weidner ’18 took third(28.36) and fourth-place (29.27), respectively. Miller also was second in the javelin throw. Kelsey Bowling ’19 performed strongly at the meet, placing second in the 100 hurdles (17.81), fourth in the long jump (4.88 meters), and third in the triple jump (10.04 meters). Erica Christy ’17 was third in the women’s hammer throw (39.92), and Laura Worthington ’19 was fifth (31.58 meters).

The Grizzlies finished their season sixth out of 10 teams at the HCAC Outdoor Championships held at Anderson University in late April and at Franklin College in early May. Women’s Swimming and Diving Regina Solik ’17 has been nominated for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year Award. Solik embodies the spirit of the award, which recognizes excellence in academics, athletics, service and leadership. The award is presented annually to a recently graduated student-athlete from either

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a NCAA Division I, II or III school.

After evaluation by two NCAA committees, the top 30 nominees will be recognized and the 2017 Woman of the Year announced at an awards dinner at the JW Marriott Indianapolis on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017.

Solik graduated with honors in May and was named to the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America Scholar All-America Team, based on her strong performance in the pool and in the classroom. She maintained a 3.5 or higher GPA during her college career, double majoring in applied mathematics and Spanish, while serving as a student ambassador with the college’s office of admissions and balancing the demands of her sport.

In addition to Solik’s individual recognition, she and teammates earned Scholar All-America Team honors by virtue of their outstanding average GPA of 3.43.

Solik was Franklin College’s first-ever female athlete to qualify for the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.

She is the women’s swimming team record holder in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard freestyle relay, 400-yard freestyle relay, 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard medley relay. She holds the six fastest times in college history in the 50-yard freestyle and the six fastest times in college history in the 100-yard freestyle. In total, she has broken college records in women’s swimming 19 times.

During Solik’s swimming career, the women’s team earned both the Academic All-American honor and the HCAC Invitational title every year.

Solik was part of the first gold medalwinning relay in Franklin College history at the 2016 Liberal Arts Championships and added gold medals in three relays at the 2017 Liberal Arts Championships. Along with her gold medal individual performances in the 50-freestyle and 100- freestyle, she helped lead the Franklin women to their first ever Liberal Arts Championship in 2017.

Baseball The Grizzlies finished the baseball season 21–17 overall and 13-–12 in the HCAC. Right-handed pitcher Jordan Clark ’19 earned a pair of all-region honors for his outstanding 2017 baseball season. He was named to the D3baseball.com All-Mideast Region Second Team and to the ABCA/ Rawlings NCAA Division III Mideast All-Region Team.

Clark also was an All-HCAC First Team selection. He finished the season with a 7–0 record, including three complete-game victories and three saves. He worked a team-high 70.1/3 innings and had a team-best ERA of 2.82. He led the HCAC in strikeouts with 80.

In addition to Clark, six other Grizzlies earned HCAC honors.

Shortstop Sam Claycamp ’19 was selected to the First Team. Claycamp started all 38 games and posted a teamhigh .347 batting average. He also had a team-best 17 doubles and tallied seven home runs, one triple, 34 RBIs and six stolen bases. Third baseman Frank Podkul ’18, catcher Jackson Freed ’18 and first baseman Nick Wright ’20 earned Second Team honors. Pitcher Jacob McMain ’17 received Honorable Mention, and Jacob Troxell ’17 was selected to the All-Sportsmanship Team.

Men’s Basketball The men’s basketball team wrapped up their season with an overall record of 6-18 and finished 3–14 in HCAC play. The HCAC recognized guard Aaron Mann ’17 for outstanding contributions to the Grizzlies’ team for the third consecutive season. Mann was named to the All-HCAC Second Team; he was the conference’s third-leading scorer and led the Grizzlies in scoring and rebounding. For the season, Mann averaged 19.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. He also shot 44 percent from the field. The HCAC also recognized guard Trey Boles ’17, naming him to the All-Sportsmanship Team.

Boles was a top reserve who had eight www.FranklinCollege.edu

RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

Matt Stienke ’20 clears a hurdle, as his opponents try to close the gap.

starts. He averaged 11.5 minutes per game.

In April, the team celebrated individual accomplishments at a college awards program. Mann won the Rebounding Award (162 total, 6.5 per game average) and the Assists Award (60 total, 2.4 per game average). John Beineke ’18 won the Field Goal Percentage Award (59.4 percent on 120 made of 202 attempted). Robbie Prather ’17 won the 3-Point Field Goal Percentage Award (38.7 percent on 60 made of 155 attempted) and the Sam Alford Free Throw Award (88.9 percent on 48 of 54 attempted). Zac Cleaver ’19 won the Thomas R. Hodge Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award.

Gunnar Dittrich ’20 won the Robert M. Branigin Memorial Award for Mental Attitude.

Men’s Swimming and Diving Artur Schneider ’17 capped off a remarkable swimming career by being named to the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America Scholar All-America Team for his performance in the classroom and the pool. He was a NCAA Division III National Championship qualifier and maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher over the course of his college career.

In addition to Schneider’s individual recognition, he and teammates earned Scholar All-America Team honors by virtue of their outstanding average GPA of 3.03.

Schneider is a three-time NCAA www.FranklinCollege.edu

Academic All-American and a threetime selection for the Tom Bohlsen Academic All-HCAC. Outside of the NCAA Championships, he achieved 120 wins and suffered only one loss in individual races over his college career.

His relay teams went 28-0 in four seasons at the Liberal Arts Championships. Moreover, he holds the four fastest times in Franklin College history in the 50-freestyle and eight of the top 10. He has nine of the top 10 times in both the 100-freestyle and 200-backstroke, and he owns all the 10 top times in the 100-backstroke and 200-individual medley. In addition, he is the most decorated swimmer and highest scoring swimmer in the history of the Liberal Arts Championships.

Men’s Tennis The Grizzlies made their spring season debut after splitting a pair of dual men’s tennis matches last fall. In the first spring match-up with visiting Daemen College, Franklin College fell 9-0. The Grizzlies tried to bounce back in the HCAC opener when they hosted Rose-Hulman but lost again, 9–0.

After a third consecutive loss, this time to St. Joseph, the Grizzlies finally hit their stride on the court, earning four consecutive victories. The men’s team ended the season 6–8 overall and 5–3 in the HCAC. Five Grizzlies earned All-HCAC honors. Alex Hammer ’18 earned First Team honors. Ethan Caldwell ’17,

Kyle Sauley ’18 and Blake Amonett ’20 received honorable mention. Josh Stewart ’20 was selected to the All-Sportsmanship Team.

Men’s Track and Field The men’s track and field team posted some season-best marks during the Bill Smith Challenge meet held indoors at Vincennes University in March. Clayton Brumfield ’20 and Heath Deugan ’20 both performed strongly in the 1500-meter run, placing 10th (4:20.97) and 11th (4:21.18)., respectively. Matt Stienke ’20 placed third in the 110 hurdles (16.51), and Nathaniel Staples ’17 placed fifth (17.51) in the event. Staples also placed seventh in the 400-meter hurdles (1:04.46), second in the long jump (6.00 meters) and third in the triple-jump (11.95 meters). Alan Smith ’18 was sixth in the long jump (4.85 meters) and Tyler Doty ’20 was seventh in high jump. Nick Coultas ’19 was third in shot put (11.24 meters), fourth in the discus throw (30.63) and second in the hammer throw (35.23 meters).

The Grizzlies finished their season sixth out of 10 teams at the HCAC Outdoor Championships held at Anderson University in late April and early May at Franklin College. ■

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ATHLETICS

College co-hosting NCAA cross-country regional Franklin College and the Blue River Sports Authority in Shelby County have been selected by the NCAA Division III Championship Committee as co-hosts for the NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country Great Lakes Regional on Nov. 10, 2018, in Shelbyville, Ind. Franklin College Director of Athletics Kerry Prather said, “Blue River is an outstanding venue for crosscountry, and I know competitors and their fans will be impressed with the

facility. We appreciate all the effort invested by the Blue River Sports Authority Board and especially by Gary Nolley in developing a proposal that met the hosting criteria established by the NCAA.” Nolley is vice president of the Blue River Sports Authority, which promotes recreational and competitive sports in Shelby County. He coordinated a proposal submitted to the NCAA in August 2016 and accepted in April 2017.

“To say we are excited would be a bit of an understatement,” Nolley said.

“When we designed the course, it was always our intent to someday host meets of this caliber. Though it has come along much sooner than we thought it would, this will be a great event for our city and for Franklin College.”

Franklin College and Blue River Sports Authority are in contention for hosting the event again in 2020 and/or 2021. ■

Athletics division makes staffing changes The athletics division recently hired three new employees and gave two promotions. Please join the college in welcoming and congratulating them.

Sports Information Director (SID) Ryan Thomas began his new role in July. He previously served as the University of Indianapolis’ assistant SID for two years. Prior to that, he was a member of the sports information office at Ashford University for four years, beginning as an assistant SID before being promoted to the SID. He holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting and a master’s degree in sports management, both from Western Illinois University.

Also, in July, Cristin Allen became the women’s head soccer coach. She previously was the assistant coach at DePauw University and prior to that was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Vanderbilt University for five years. She also had assistant coaching positions at Goucher College and St. Cecilia Academy. An accomplished club and travel coach, Allen was named “Tennessee Competitive Coach of the Year” in 2009 and was voted “Brentwood Soccer Coach of the Year” the same season. She also has coaching experience in the Olympic Development Program. Allen was a standout college player at Belmont, where she was a team captain her

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senior year and was named First Team All-Conference. The most decorated player in the history of Belmont’s women’s soccer program, she was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.

In May, Brandon Dworak was appointed head men’s and women’s cross-country coach and assistant track and field coach. He previously worked for Rhodes College, where he was the assistant coach in cross-country and track and field and a recruiting coordinator for four years. Prior to that, he held assistant coaching positions at Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Boise State University. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he was a four-year qualifier in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC), a team captain, a second team All-WIAC pick, a three-time All-Midwest Region CrossCountry qualifier, an indoor 5K WIAC runner-up and a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III national championship competitor in 2007 (sixth-place finish) and in 2008 (fourth-place finish).

In April, Demetrius Bailey was named head track and field coach.

He was one of the best jumpers in the Big 30 region while a member of the Olean High School boys’ track team.

He continued his athletic career at

Muskingum University, where he was a four-year letterman in football and track and field. His university athletic accomplishments included earning the Outstanding Freshman Male Athlete Award and Outstanding Senior Male Athlete Award as well as being named a four-time Ohio Athletic Conference champion and a four-time national qualifier in triple jump. He was twice named Most Outstanding Field Athlete and earned the All-Ohio Athletic Conference title in the long jump.

Upon his graduation, Bailey became the assistant track and field coach at his alma mater. Bailey has been a member of the Franklin College athletic staff since 2012, serving as an assistant in track, cross-country and football. Since September, he’s led the men’s and women’s cross-country and track and field programs on an interim basis.

In February, assistant men’s soccer coach Cody Graman ’11 was promoted to the head coaching position.

Graman previously played four seasons for the Grizzlies’ men’s soccer team and has served the past three seasons as an assistant coach. He has also been a head coach for South Central Soccer Academy teams and has served on the board of directors for the Greenfield Area Soccer Club. ■

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ALUMNI NEWS

Indiana Pacers recognize legendary basketball figures PHOTOS BY THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR, FRANKLIN COLLEGE SID

By Alexis Weidner ’18, Pulliam Fellow

This spring, the Indiana Pacers as part of their Hickory Nights series honored Judi Warren ’80 for her contributions to basketball programs in the Hoosier state. Warren is a former standout high school and college basketball player, a retired girls’ high school basketball coach and a current Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame and Franklin College Athletic Hall of Fame member.

The Hickory Nights series was created as a way for the Indiana Pacers to recognize and thank Indiana basketball legends. The series name is based on the movie Hoosiers and the 1954 Milan High School basketball team that inspired it.

Warren’s long list of lifetime accomplishments in basketball helped ensure her inclusion in the Hickory Nights recognition program. She was a pioneering player. In 1976, the first year for the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) girls’ basketball tournament, she led Warsaw High School to the state championship. In the title game at Hinkle Fieldhouse, she scored 17 points and sank five free throws in the final 64 seconds to secure a 57–52 win against Bloomfield. The game was played in front of a then-record crowd for an Indiana girls’ game of 7,362.

Warren went on to be named the first-ever Indiana Miss Basketball that same season and was the first winner of the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award for girls’ basketball.

At Franklin College, Warren scored 1,033 career points, and her 100 steals during the 1976–77 season are still a college record. She played for the

At left, Judi Warren ’80 poses with the Franklin College Athletic Hall of Fame plaque. In the middle, Warren of Warsaw High School cuts down her portion of the net after winning the first girls’ state basketball championship held at Hinkle Fieldhouse in 1976. The Indiana Pacers, as part of their Hickory Nights series, honored Warren for her contributions to basketball programs in the Hoosier state.

late coach Ruth (Doub) Callon ’52 (HD ’11), also a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

After college, Warren turned her attention to coaching. She enjoyed a successful Indiana high school head coaching career, with positions at South Dearborn, Maconaquah and Carmel, where she coached the longest, 22 years. During that time, she led the Greyhounds to a runnerup finish in the 1995 girls’ basketball state finals. She retired from coaching in 2000.

Memories of all Warren’s previous accomplishments came flooding back on March 24, when her Hickory Nights recognition ceremony took place during halftime of the Indiana Pacers vs. Denver Nuggets game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Warren said, “What a special night it was for me! I received such royal treatment — a parking pass for the Bankers Life garage (where the owners and players park), a suite loaded with food and drinks for 22 of my

family and close friends, a spotlight center-court interview with Chris Denari (Pacers TV play-by-play announcer) and a large framed Hickory jersey with my last name on the back presented by Bill Benner (Pacers senior vice president). I felt like a real celebrity that night!”

On the same night, Warren caught up with a familiar face.

“I had a chance to talk with Denver Nuggets player Mason Plumlee before the game. He grew up in Warsaw and is a good friend of my nephew,” said Warren.

Basketball has been a significant part of Warren’s life for several decades now, and it continues to provide rewarding experiences.

Warren said, “I realize what great family, Franklin friends, former players, teaching colleagues and fans I have. There were 15 to 20 Franklin friends, teammates and professors there to support me (at the Pacers event). It’s amazing; nowhere else but Franklin would a bond like that be formed.” ■

The 2016–17 Hickory Nights series also recognized Indiana high school star Damon Bailey; members of Indianapolis Washington's 1965 and 1969 state championship teams; members of Marion High School's 1985, 1986 and 1987 state championship teams; the eight boys’ and girls’ 2017 high school team state titlists; and Hoosiers’ screenwriter Angelo Pizzo, director David Anspaugh and actors making up the fictional state champions. Franklin alumni Roger Schroder ’58 and Gene White ’58 were honored last season as members of Milan High School's 1954 state championship team, which inspired the Hoosiers movie.

www.FranklinCollege.edu

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ALUMNI NEWS

Making inroads in the entertainment industry

By Laura Olivo ’17 Pulliam Fellow

Watching TV changed life for Danny Sears ’07. The HBO series “Entourage,” chronicling the acting career of an A-list star and his childhood friends from Queens, N.Y., as they navigate the unfamiliar terrain of Los Angeles, turned Sears onto the idea of becoming an agent in the entertainment industry.

After serious contemplation, Sears mustered the courage to leave an enviable assistant coaching position with a university football program and move to California, thousands of miles away from family and friends, to pursue his dream in 2011.

“I was naíve enough to think I was going to become an agent in the entertainment business right away,” said Sears. That didn’t happen, but he eventually made inroads.

“I just so happened to get an interview at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment with a guy who hires for the music department, and I got a job,” recalled Sears.

“I’ll never forget when I got hired because they put me in a screening room with movie previews and music videos, which were a reel of all their clients, and I was just wowed,” Sears said. “I kept thinking, ‘You’re here, and this is who you’re working for.’”

Through persistent networking over a period of six years, Sears continued to find other career opportunities, moving him closer to the goal of becoming an agent. He transitioned to ROAR Entertainment, then Snapchat and finally got his foot in the door at Maverick Management, where he serves as assistant to the president, in Beverly Hills.

“I was extremely excited when I got the job offer,” Sears recalled. “I felt like

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it was going to be a great opportunity for me to continue my career at a place where I could grow. Also, the artist roster we have here is second to none, from Madonna and Paul McCartney to Lil Wayne and Miley Cyrus, just to name a few. It's an incredible group of artists to be able to work for.”

Maverick Management’s employees are authorities in pop, rock, R&B, hip-hop and country entertainment, and they help oversee all aspects of the company’s 40+ clients’ musical careers.

As assistant to the president, Sears schedules meetings and calls and helps clients when they release a record by keeping track of how many times it’s downloaded, streamed and played at a radio station. He also does outreach to stations to encourage additional airtime for particular songs.

“Just being able to be a part of the team of these talented artists and managers and learning from the best in the business is a pretty fun and exciting time for me,” said Sears.

According to Sears, working with celebrity clients means there’s no such thing as an ordinary day. However, having a Franklin College bachelor’s degree in psychology gives him the advantage of better understanding what motivates people’s actions and, thereby, how to adapt his own behavior to accommodate and collaborate with others. He also benefits from having a liberal arts background, which gives him a frame of reference for a variety of topics. Having the confidence to talk to anyone about anything at anytime is imperative to furthering a career in the entertainment industry, he explained.

“I get to go to a lot of concerts and shows, and go backstage. I’m doing things I never experienced when I was younger, until I got out here,” Sears said.

Some of his favorite mementoes are the backstage passes he has for concerts where he has been part of the team.

Sears said, “Justin Timberlake is one of my favorite artists of all time so working his concert as a part of the team and hanging out backstage afterward was a dream-come-true.”

In June, he was backstage with the Maverick Management team for two of U2’s sold-out shows at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

“We were mingling and taking care of our VIPs in the music and entertainment industry, and, at one point, I found myself hanging out in a room full of A-list celebrities who were attending the show. It was a pretty surreal moment, and one that I won’t forget.”

Celebrities Sears has met through his work include The Weeknd, Noah

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Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Ashton Kutcher, Alex Rodriguez, Pharrell Williams and Pete Carroll.

Although Sears would enjoy collecting autographs and photos from each celebrity, he has not pursued those opportunities because it would be a conflict of interest in a professional setting, he said. He admits it’s challenging sometimes.

“I remember one time when Usher was leaning against my desk at work.

All I could think was, ‘My childhood favorite artist is leaning against my desk right now waiting for a meeting to start, and I can’t say anything to him!’”

Sears has learned a lot about how to adapt and succeed simply through trial and error, but he also credits two Franklin College mentors for helping instill him with lessons and skills for survival in the real world. One of

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those mentors is Franklin College Head Football Coach Mike Leonard.

“He is just a great human being, and I learned a lot from him about being a good person during football season and in the off season,” Sears said. “I remember I had a conversation with him about making the decision that coaching football was not something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

He said that I sounded at peace with my decision, and he helped me put the coaching dream in the rearview mirror.”

That conversation helped prime Sears for the move to California.

Another skill Sears took away from football that continues to serve him well today is teamwork. He had approximately 100 football teammates during college so he gained a lot of experience at working with others to

achieve a shared goal — much like the team of managers and clients he deals with now at Maverick Management.

Sears’ other college mentor was a psychology professor, the late Roger Thomas, Ph.D. His humor and trademark Hawaiian shirts made him personable, and his approach to teaching made learning exciting, said Sears.

He values the ways in which Thomas helped students learn to look beyond the surface to better understand how backgrounds and life experiences shape people and influence their relationships, families, jobs, etc.

“Franklin was great because of the people. It’s a small campus, and I think you get to feel like part of a community. I’m still very close with friends I made at Franklin College; it’s where to make friendships you can carry with you.” ■

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The ’60s Susan Mills Stretchberry ’64 married her childhood friend, Tony England, Ph.D., on Dec. 16, 2016. England, a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and former astronaut, is dean of the college of engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Susan reports that she is “retired and happy.”

The ’70s

Indiana Coaches of Girls’ Sports Association 2017 Softball Hall of Fame inductees included Franklin Central Coach Kathy Stricker ’78, former Indiana High School Athletic Association Assistant Commissioner and present National Federation of High Schools Director of Sports Sandy Searcy and former University of Illinois at Chicago player turned coach Jennifer Banas.

Bob Thomas ’73 was inducted into the Florida Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame this August during a ceremony at Lake Buena Vista at Disney Springs. He was a member of Ohio’s Chagrin Falls High School wrestling team prior to joining Franklin College, where he wrestled as a freshman coached

by Ray Webster Jr. ’60, Ph.D., and as a junior coached by Butch Lawson ’65. After graduating with a degree in history, Thomas relocated to Bradenton, Fla., where he enjoyed a 35-year teaching and coaching career at

Southeast High School, home of the Seminoles. During his coaching tenure, Thomas celebrated four state champions, 27 state placers, 67 state qualifiers and two High School All-Americans.

His 1993 wrestling team finished as state runners-up and in other seasons completed five top 10 finishes. In addition to coaching wrestling, Thomas coached track for two years, softball for three years, golf for nine years, tennis for 10 years and football for 18 years. At Franklin, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, Blue Key Society and Phi Alpha Theta honorary.

The Franklin College Athletic Department has added Thomas’ name to the Athletic Hall of Fame plaque in the Spurlock Center.

Kathy Stricker ’78 was inducted into the Indiana Coaches of Girls’ Sports Association High School Softball Hall of Fame in June.

She has coached softball at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis for the past 38 years. As of April 27, she had achieved a record of 592 wins

Grrreat news about Franklin plates!

Hoosiers, you can complete the entire Franklin College specialty license plate purchase or renewal process through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ website, by phone or by mail. After ordering or renewing, you should receive your license plate or renewal sticker in the mail within 14 days.

Every $25 plate sale supports the Franklin Fund, a financial lifeline for the men and women who learn, grow and thrive on our campus. Our programs in professional development, leadership studies and community service distinguish Franklin’s liberal arts and sciences education and provide life-transforming skills for men and women who go on to make a difference in their careers, the community and the world.

Thank you for helping students and driving Franklin College into the future!

Please note that, since the college receives sales proceeds via the BMV, the $25 is not tax-deductible, but it does count toward your annual giving total.

Out-of-state residents can purchase Franklin College vanity plates through the online bookstore at www.efollett.com!

38 F R A N K L I N C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E

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and 287 losses. Those wins include five Marion County championships, three CSAC championships, 10 Indiana conference championships, 11 sectional titles, five regional titles, one semi-state title and two state runner-up finishes.

She has been named the Marion County Coach of the Year four times, District 3 Coach of the Year once and Conference Coach of the Year 17 times. In 1998, she was inducted into the Franklin College Athletic Hall of Fame as a player. During college, she participated in field hockey, basketball, softball and volleyball. In addition to her Franklin College degree in PE and health education, she received a master’s degree with an emphasis in physical education from Indiana University in 1985. The Franklin College Athletic Department has added Stricker’s name to the Athletic Hall of Fame plaque in the Spurlock Center.

The ’80s Tim Leonard ’80, Franklin (Ind.) Community High School’s girls’ track and field coach since 1988, retired from coaching and teaching geography and world history at the end of the academic year.

Among his track and field coaching highlights were Erica Long’s runner-up finishes in the 100and 200-meter dashes at the 1995 Indiana High School Athletic Association Girls Track and Field State Finals at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Led by Long, that Grizzly Cubs squad placed ninth in the final team standings.

Andrew E. Stoner '86 has released a new book, Campaign Crossroads: Presidential Politics in Indiana from Lincoln to Obama, on the Indiana Historical Society Press. He also published a biographical chapter on John Dillinger for the Indiana bicentennial book, Indiana's 200: The People Who Shaped the Hoosier State.

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Alumni play leading roles in Hoosier hysteria The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame elected new officers and added five new members to its board of directors at the organization’s annual meeting in June. Two Franklin College alumni assumed new roles with the hall of fame, located in New Castle, Ind. Steve Witty ’69, a 2012 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, was elected to a two-year term as board president. Witty was a three-year letterman on Center Grove High School’s basketball team and earned the Mid-State Conference Mental Attitude Award. He also was a three-year letterman on Franklin College’s basketball team.

He went on to serve as head coach at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis from 1990–2002. Since then he has served as the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association executive director. His teams’ achieved a record of 266 wins with only 68 losses. Witty is the only coach in Indiana’s 87-year history of non-class basketball to take teams to four consecutive Final Fours. His teams were IHSAA state champions in 1995 and 1996 and state runners-up in 1993. Witty’s teams also won three consecutive Marion County tournaments and achieved 64 consecutive wins versus Marion County teams. Further, his teams achieved seven straight sectional titles, five straight regional wins and four back-to-back semi-state titles. His teams averaged 20 wins per season and were ranked No. 1 in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001 and 2002. Witty was twice named State Coach of the Year, three times selected IBCA District Coach of the Year and six times chosen Marion County Coach of the Year. In 1994, he was the coach of the Indiana All-Stars. He was inducted into the Franklin College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 as a coach. He lives in Avon, Ind. Judi Warren ’80, a 2002 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, was elevated from the organization’s board of directors to an at-large position on the Executive Committee. She was named Indiana’s inaugural Miss Basketball after leading the Warsaw High School team to the 1976 IHSAA girls’ state championship.

Warren, now a retired teacher and coach, spent her career at Indiana’s South Dearborn, Maconoquah and Carmel high schools. She was inducted into the Franklin College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014 as a player. She resides in Carmel. Read more about her on Page 35.

The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame operates a museum with exhibits and interactive displays that celebrate the proud heritage of basketball in Indiana from its origins in the 1890s to the current season. The hall of fame officers and directors provide oversight to ensure the museum and its programming honor Indiana basketball as a tradition, passion and part of the state culture. ■ Editor’s Note: Sam Alford ’64 is the board’s immediate past president.

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CLASS NOTES

PHOTOS BY RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

Marti (Dorrel) Schrock ’93

Jessica (Lillpop) Mahoney ’96

The ’90s

Jessica (Lillpop) Mahoney ’96 was a recent recipient of the Private Academic Library Network of Indiana’s Hall of Fame Award for her contributions on the Reference, Instruction and Outreach Committee and several task forces, such as information literacy assessment. Mahoney is the Franklin College instruction and reference librarian. Her husband, Shaun ’97, resigned as head soccer coach at Franklin College in December 2016 to become executive director of the St. Francis soccer league in Indianapolis.

Brian Elmore ’93 has been promoted to first sergeant with the Indiana State Police. His daughter, Madyson ’18, majors in exercise science at Franklin College.

Marti (Dorrel) Schrock ’93 received the Outstanding Alumnae Officer Award at the 2017 Indiana Zeta Day convention in April. The Franklin Alumnae Chapter nominated her. She works for Franklin College as the executive secretary for student affairs.

William Shane Robbins ’95, Ph.D., was named the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents District V Superintendent of the Year for 2017. Robbins is completing his second year as the superintendent of the Mt. Vernon Community School Corp. and his ninth overall year in the role of superintendent. He, his wife, Heather, and sons, Bryce, 19, and Brandon, 15, live in Fishers, Ind. Ryan Klopfenstein ’96, former Terre Haute North Vigo High School and Franklin College golfer, recently was named the new director of golf at Hulman Links and Rea Park in Terre Haute, Ind.

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Stacy (Lantis) Rose ’96 and her husband, Jim ’97, are the parents of a daughter, Georgia Mae, born March 15, 2017. She joins a brother, Walker, 16, and a sister, Annie, 10. After working several years in health care public relations, Stacy has transitioned to a freelance writing and editing career in addition to doing volunteer work at her family’s church and at the children’s schools.

Jim has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Indiana University-Bloomington and currently is pursuing his doctorate in education from Concordia University-Texas. Jim has served as a principal since 2004, first at various schools in Indiana’s Monroe County Community School Corp., then relocating in 2009 to the Leander

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Independent School District (ISD) in Texas. Jim helped lead the founding of River Ridge Elementary in Austin in 2009, where he served as principal until 2016. He is now principal at Running Brushy Middle School, both are part of Leander ISD. The family resides in Austin, Texas.

Stephen Black ’99 was appointed the director of the Minnesotabased St. Cloud VA Health Care System this spring. Black has more than 18 years of health care experience, including eight years of progressive clinical, administrative and executive leadership in Veterans Health Administration. He had been serving as the acting director of the Hampton VA Medical Center since January 2017. Prior to that, he served as the associate medical center director for the Durham VA Health Care System.

The ’00s Randy Stocklin ’00, co-founder and CEO of One Click Ventures, an e-commerce eyewear company based in Indianapolis, celebrated a win in May with the Company Culture of the Year Award during the 18th annual TechPoint Mira Awards presented by Angie’s List, Genesys and Salesforce. The Mira Awards honor the most innovative and successful technologies and technology companies in Indiana, as well as entrepreneurs and educators. A total of 15 Mira Awards winners and three honorable mentions were chosen from among 90 nominees selected from 180 awards applications this year. In a press release, Stocklin indicated that his is a business that values its customers as well as its employees. One Click Ventures has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana for four consecutive years. Stocklin frequently volunteers with Franklin College,

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Stacy (Lantis) Rose ’96 poses with son Walker and husband Jim ’97, who is holding daughter Georgia Mae. Daughter Annie stands in the foreground. providing professional development assistance, serving on career panels and conducting mock interviews with students.

Karrie (Blackburn) Larson '01 has accepted the position of senior creative services manager and event producer at Yahoo. She manages and implements a broad scope of high-visibility events for the company. Larson and her husband, Anthony, live in San Jose, Calif.

Jill (Rateike) Curry ’03 was named project manager and funding specialist at Curry & Associates, based in Danville, Ind. She previously served as a community liaison for the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Curry previously served in the Peace Corps and has more than 10 years of experience working with municipal and nonprofit utilities

on wastewater, drinking water and storm drainage projects. She will coordinate state and federal funding applications, preliminary engineering report development and contract administration.

Chloe (Collins) Limbach ’04 was named assistant principal at Northwood Elementary School in Franklin in April. Prior to that, she taught kindergarten at the school for 10 years. She also has taught first and second grade at the school. She has a master’s degree in education from Indiana Wesleyan University.

She replaced Nicci (Ingram) Sargent ’92, who began her new role as principal at the start of the 2017–18 academic year.

Top teachers at head of their class Needham Elementary School in Franklin, Ind., presented Teacher of the Year Awards in May. Six of the eight recipients were Franklin College alumnae, including Jenny (Cramer) Pieper ’04, Meghann (Disch) Mayfield ’07, Beth (Huber) Hoeing ’03, Heather (Downing) Kepner ’04, Melissa (Kaiser) Henderson ’93 and Stephanie (Dixon) Dunn ’06.

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CLASS NOTES

Get social with Franklin College.

Follow us.

Like us.

Watch us.

Link with us.

Christina (Lane) Toler '06 recently was named the director of corporate sales for the Indianapolis Indians baseball team. Toler is in her seventh season with the organization.

She resides in Greenwood, Ind., with her husband, Sean '06, and their two children, Liam and Sydney.

University of Colorado Health Hospital as a registered nurse and is completing his bachelor of science nursing degree with Western Governors University.

He will then continue to pursue studies in health informatics.

Kayte is a stay-at-home parent with their two children, Randall and Juliette.

Ryan Begerman ’08 and his wife, Kayte (Russell) ’08, have relocated from Indianapolis to Aurora, Colo. Ryan works at the

Wayne Stanley ’08 has launched a business, Bowe Digital, a provider of social media management and digital check-

up services as well as communications and media strategies.

The company is named in honor of his grandfather, Glen Vernon Bowe, a man who instilled Stanley with values such as “work hard, play hard and respect everyone.” These values guide the business.

He previously served nearly five years as director of public affairs for the American Land Title Association in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, he was the press secretary for U.S. Sen. Richard

Look for us.

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Christina (Lane) Toler '06 and the Indianapolis Indians’ mascot, Rowdie

Nick Ostergaard ’09 and his wife, Jessica (VanSciver) ’09, are the parents of a daughter, Aria Reneé, born May 18, 2017. The family resides in Columbus, Ind.

Got a future Grizzly?

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Share your baby’s birth announcement or adoption details and receive a special gift from the alumni engagement office! There are two ways to submit your information: Go to alumni.FranklinCollege.edu and use the Class Notes submission form. With this method, you’ll have the chance to post your own photo. Or, email photos and information, including baby’s date of birth, your spouse’s name, names of your other children, your professions and your hometown, to aversteeg@FranklinCollege.edu. Photos will be published in the Franklin College magazine, as space permits. Call (317) 738-8188 for assistance. ■

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OBITUARIES

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Lugar and coordinated strategic communications for national legislative issues and developed Lugar’s social media strategy.

The ’10s Hannah (Hickey) Abraham ’10 has joined the Franklin College admissions office as the visit and special events coordinator. She previously was the special events coordinator for Mallow Run Winery, also in Johnson County.

Amanda (McIntosh) Eaton ’10 recently resigned from her position as interim director of admissions at Franklin College to accept a project management and training specialist position with TargetX, a salesforce-partnering company that provides software solutions to aid institutions with recruitment and retention. Her work will include travel across the United States and abroad, primarily to the United Kingdom. She and her husband, Ty ’09, reside in Franklin, Ind.

Wayne Stanley ’08

Cody Anderson ’11 was promoted to sergeant at the Indiana Department of Correction's (DOC) Reception Diagnostic Center (RDC) in Plainfield, Ind. He began at the RDC shortly after his graduation, working for Aramark Correctional Services.

In 2012, he joined the DOC as a correctional officer at RDC. Anderson also serves as a field training officer and as a quick response team instructor.

Conner McNeely ’16

Julie Brashaber '14 recently accepted a new position at Shelle Design Inc. located in Rushville, Ind. She will work remotely marketing for sororities and fraternities. She previously served as the director of marketing for the city of Franklin. She currently resides in Greenwood, Ind.

Claribel (Featherngill) Dick ’38 died Feb. 5, 2017. She attended Franklin for two years and was a member of the college choir.

She put her studies on hold after getting married but later returned to Franklin College and earned a degree in history in 1960. She and her spouse, George ’33, served together in ministry for 61 years from Providence, R.I., and South Bend, Ind., to Arkansas City, Kan., and Portland, Ore. She was the published author of two books, How Long the Night and The Song Goes On. Spouse George preceded her in death. Survivors include four children, 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

She resided in Portland, Ore.

The ’40s

Conner McNeely ’16, a Spanish teacher at Southport High School in Indianapolis, was one of three teachers recognized in March with a Teach Like a Champion Award for his extraordinary efforts in shaping the city’s youth through education.

Along with the award, McNeely received a cash prize and a scholarship to begin a master’s degree program at the American College of Education. McNeely was recognized with all of these at Dream Big 2017, a program of the Teachers’ Treasures organization, which was founded 17 years ago to help provide teachers with the educational supplies and materials needed by the children in their classrooms.

Jaime Robbins ’17 has accepted an admissions counselor position at Franklin College. ■

www.FranklinCollege.edu

The ’30s

Margaret A. (Huffman) Wiesman ’44 died May 30, 2017.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Franklin, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She became a teacher at Franklin Community High School.

She was a volunteer for many organizations, including the United Way of Johnson County and the Johnson County Museum of History. She was a member of Hopewell Presbyterian Church; She was preceded in death by her spouse, Max ’47. Survivors include two children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She resided in Franklin, Ind.

The ’50s David B. Ditmars ’50 died May 30, 2017. He held a bachelor’s degree in history from Franklin, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He later earned a master’s degree from Indiana University. He was a lifelong farmer in the Hopewell community. He taught at the Franklin Junior High/Middle school for 28 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a lifelong

member of Hopewell Presbyterian Church, where he served as elder, deacon and trustee. He sang in the church choir for more than 60 years.

He served as the director and director emeritus of Mutual Savings Bank. He also served on the Johnson County Sheriff’s Merit Board, Johnson County Community Corrections Board, Johnson County Red Cross Advisory Board and the Franklin Township Advisory Board.

Survivors include his spouse, Katherine (Huffman) ’47, three children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He resided in Franklin, Ind. Sally J. (Lewis) Dodgson ’50 (HD ’05), Ph.D., died March 6, 2017, after a battle with metastatic ocular melanoma. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Franklin College and her master’s degree in education from Indiana University. A firm believer in lifelong learning, she enrolled in postgraduate studies in psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia, Penn., and later entered Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, earning a master’s degree in divinity. She met her future spouse, Kenneth V. ’46 (HD ’77), M.D., when they were both members of the Executive Committee of Indiana Baptist Youth Fellowship (BYF) and the BYF National Council. They were married July 4, 1952, in the Terre Haute (Ind.) First Baptist Church.

In April 1955, the Board of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society (now Board of International Ministries) commissioned Sally and Ken as medical missionaries to Northeast India.

In March 1957 they began 24 years of work and family life at the Jorhat Christian Medical Centre, Jorhat, Assam, India.

Returning from India in 1981, they settled in Rochester, N.Y. Her teaching career began at Moorestown Friends School in

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OBITUARIES

Moorestown, N.J., where she taught English from 1952–55.

In India, she was on the teaching faculties of the Eastern Theological College and the School of Nursing of the Jorhat Christian Medical Centre, teaching English and psychology. She was editor of The [Assam] Baptist Leader and edited the 125th anniversary publication of the Council of Baptist Churches in North East India. From 1984–96, she was director of communications at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Rochester, N.Y.; and from 1996–98, she served as assistant to the president for institutional research. Sally wrote and spoke in support of racial and economic equality, demonstrated for peace and against the death penalty, was active in interdenominational and interfaith dialogue, tutored refugees and was active in children's reading programs. She was the recipient of numerous awards, including the Church Women United Valiant Woman Award; the Justicia-Community Activism Award from the Judicial Process Commission of Rochester (2010); with Jean Bartlett, the Helen Barrett Montgomery Women of Vision Award (2001); and, with Kenneth, the Franklin College Distinguished Alumni Award (1962) and the Howard Moody Award of the Coalition for Baptist Principles of American Baptist Churches, USA. She received an honorary doctorate from Franklin College in 2005 and the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School Distinguished Alumni Award in 2015. She was a donormember of the Franklin College President’s Club. Survivors include her spouse, three children and five grandchildren.

She resided in Rochester, N.Y.

completed her undergraduate education at Indiana University.

She became an elementary school teacher and taught for more than 20 years in Indianapolis’ Perry Township.

She was preceded in death by her spouse of 64 years, Harry.

Survivors include two children, five grandchildren and 12 greatgrandchildren. She resided in Osprey, Fla.

Patricia J. (Judkins) Montel ’51 died Feb. 19, 2017. She attended Franklin College and was a member of Tri Delta sorority but

Franklin Hiday ’58 died Feb. 23, 2017. He majored in biology, played basketball and participated in Phi Delta Theta fraternity at

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Lee E. Jurras ’56 died April 24, 2017, after battling cancer. He played football and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at Franklin. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marines.

His Involvement ln the shooting sports while growing up, then in military firearms training and through participation in target pistol competition significantly shaped his life. After trying a variety of professions, he started a business, Super Vel Cartridge Corp., through which he developed high-performance handgun ammunition for police officers, hunters and others. After the sale of Super Vel, he partnered with the makers of Auto Mag and designed and assembled his own custom version of their gun. He later also designed a pistol for Thompson Center Contender.

His gun designs are prized by collectors. He was preceded in death by his spouse of 60 years, Alecia, and their grandchild Jacob Manning. Survivors include two children, three grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. During his last hours he was attended by good friend Mike Hatfield and loving caregiver Llsele (Bockes) ’56; she and Lee met at Franklin College and remained lifelong friends. He resided in Columbus, Ind.

Franklin College. He became a donor-member of the college’s Blue and Gold Club. He earned master's degrees from Michigan State University and Indiana University. He taught high school in Whiteland and Richmond, Ind., prior to relocating to Michigan, where he taught at Albion High School for 31 years prior to retiring in 1996. At different periods, he also was the athletic director and the assistant principal. His career included serving as the school’s head boys’ basketball coach for eight years and helping start the girls' basketball program. He also coached girls’ track. Survivors include his spouse, Milli, two children, six grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren. He resided in Albion, Mich.

The ’60s Don Paul Hicks Sr. ’60 died May 21, 2017, with his three sons by his side. He began at Franklin College as a music major. He was a jazz fan and often quipped he wanted to become the next Frank Sinatra. After his freshman year of college, he joined the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War. As a military police officer, he would often ferry soldiers in a Jeep to the front line. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, he resumed studies at Franklin College as a journalism and history major. He also was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Early in his journalism career, he worked for The Plainfield Messenger newspaper and then was recruited to establish a weekly newspaper in Port Charlotte, Fla. After that, he served as an editor in Colorado, then took the helm as publisher of two merged newspapers, the Charlotte News Herald, owned by Thomson Newspapers. From there, he grew a long career with Thomson, which would purchase small community papers and

overhaul them into sustainable business models. At the time of Hicks’ retirement in 1992, he was senior vice-president and chief operating officer; he oversaw all U.S. operations for the largest holder of small-town papers in the country. During retirement, he was an active community volunteer, serving as the fundraising chair on the board of governors for the Charlotte County (Fla.) YMCA and on the board of Hospice of Southwest Florida for several years. He was preceded in death by his spouse of 52 years, Carol.

Survivors include three children and seven grandchildren. He resided in Punta Gorda, Fla., where he generously hosted many Franklin College alumni events during his lifetime. He was a donor-member of the college’s President’s Club. Four generations and 14 members of Hicks’ family have graduated from Franklin College, dating back to his great-great-grandfather in 1850 to his son, Damon ’96.

Michael E. Alexander ’62 died May 19, 2017. He was a cofounder of the Indiana Collegiate Press Association as a student at Franklin College in 1959 and made a career in communications after he graduated. He was editor of The Star-Register Newspapers in the 1970’s and also held positions over the years with various Indiana newspapers, including the Indianapolis News, The Herald-Bulletin (Anderson) and The Muncie Star. His career also included serving as public relations director in 1982 for the National American Legion. He also served in public relations positions across Indiana, including at Ameritech in Indianapolis, Northern Indiana Public Service Corp. in Hammond, Monroe County Community Schools in Bloomington, School City of Hammond and Muncie Public Schools. Most recently, he had

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worked as a security guard for Ford/Visteon Steering Systems.

He was a Navy Veteran, serving aboard the USS Ticonderoga attack aircraft carrier, which made the first bombing attack on North Vietnam in August 1964.

Survivors include his spouse, Donna, one child, one stepchild and two grandchildren. He resided in Greenwood, Ind. Linda A. (Suhre) O’Connor ’62 died unexpectedly Dec. 22, 2016.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Franklin, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She became a donor-member of the Franklin College Blue and Gold Club. She earned her master’s degree in education from Indiana University. She made a career of teaching fourth grade at Parkside Elementary School in Columbus, Ind., where she also was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and was active with the Christian Service Guild. Survivors include her spouse of 53 years; Dean, two children and three grandchildren. She resided in Columbus, Ind.

The ’70s Barbara Jean (Cowan) Goodman ’74 died June 4, 2017. She graduated from Franklin with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Her father, the late Ray Cowan, was a professor at Franklin College. In addition to being a stay-at-home parent, she found joy in serving as a substitute teacher. After her children were older, she began working for American States Insurance Co. in the claims department in Indianapolis. She, at times, traveled with insurance teams to help in areas of natural disaster. She also worked for First Indiana Bank before retiring.

She volunteered for years at Johnson Memorial Hospital's gift shop as well as at her church,

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Grace United Methodist. She also was a devoted supporter of the Humane Society of Johnson County and especially loved helping the cats. Survivors include her spouse, Rick, two children and three grandchildren.

She resided in Franklin, Ind.

The ’80s M. Ellen (Richert) Huddleston ’82 died April 13, 2017. She majored in sociology and was a member of the cheerleading squad and Delta Zeta sorority at Franklin.

She became a donor-member of the college’s Blue and Gold Club.

She devoted her time and efforts into raising her family and giving back to her community by serving in Friedens United Church-Christ, PEO sorority, and Center Grove athletics. An avid sports fan, she strived for health and fitness. She completed multiple halfmarathons including one in which she raised awareness for Type 1 Diabetes, all while undergoing chemo and radiation therapy.

Survivors include her spouse, Rick, two children and two grandchildren. She resided in Greenwood, Ind. David H. Muth ’82, M.D., died June 3, 2017, after an extended illness. He majored in biology and was active in Phi Delta Theta fraternity at Franklin. He became a donor-member of the college’s Blue and Gold Club. He graduated from the Indiana University School of Medicine and built a 23-year career in anesthesiology.

He was president of the Sarasota Anesthesiologist PA Group (Sarasota Memorial Hospital).

Due to illness, he retired in 2013.

His hobbies included kayaking, fishing and taking family trips on cruise ships. He was a deacon in his church and a youth leader.

Survivors include his spouse, Amy, two children and two grandchildren. He resided in Holmes Beach, Fla.

Anita Holt ’88 died Feb. 24, 2017.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in computer science from Franklin, where she was a member of the Alpha Society, an academic honorary club. She resided in Milan, Ind. Anne E. (Rogers) Schlegel ’88 died Feb. 17, 2017. At Franklin College, she was a member of the cheerleading squad and Pi Beta Phi sorority. She became a homemaker and mother. Her avid interests were Bible study, gardening, growing flowers and raising her family. She was a member of The River Community Church of Lyons. She resided in Lyons, Colo. Survivors include her spouse, Michael S. ’86, M.D., and two children.

The ’90s Kristofor J. Hammond ’95 died March 30, 2017. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and journalism at Franklin and continued his education at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. He graduated summa cum laude from both colleges. He was a civil rights attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington D.C., prior to beginning a private practice in Alexandria, Va. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, Young Republicans and the crosscountry team. Survivors include his parents and three siblings.

He was a donor-member of the Franklin College Wellhouse Society and resided in Washington, D.C.

Friends of Franklin College Bob Ackley, spouse of Eleanor (Truesdell) ’71, died Feb. 25, 2017, after suffering heart problems and the effects of stroke, dementia and cancer, all of which he fought bravely. A celebration of his life was held in his city of residence, Gulf Breeze, Fla., at the United Methodist Church.

He was a donor-member in the Franklin College Presidents Club.

Talmage Hager (T.H.) St. Clair died May 27, 2017. He along with his spouse, Doreen, a retired Franklin College faculty member, were donor-members of Franklin College’s Old Main Society. He was a law firm partner at Lewis Bowman St. Clair and Wagner, known today as Lewis Wagner LLP, where he represented a wide range of clients including Wilma Mankiller, chief of the Cherokee tribe, and the ABA-era Indiana Pacers, among others.

He also was a U.S. Navy veteran.

In a letter thanking the college community for sending flowers to T.H.’s celebration of life service, Doreen wrote, “Although we both graduated from Indiana Central College (now UIndy), we felt Franklin College was ‘our college.’ T.H. especially recognized the excellence of the natural science division.”

Survivors include Doreen, two children, Jennifer ’84 and Jeffrey, and two grandchildren. He resided in Morgantown, Ind. ■

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WAYS TO GIVE

Gift supports engaged learning to infinity and beyond A recent gift to the college’s division of natural science has one professor so excited he is seeing stars! Arbin Thapaliya, assistant professor of physics, can hardly wait to engage students in using a Meade 178 MM telescope and observatory recently gifted to Franklin College from Albert Mitchler, a businessman residing in Washington, D.C. Mitchler learned about Franklin College from longtime professional acquaintance Gail Lowry, the college’s former vice president of development and alumni engagement. Lowry’s passion for the college and details about the ways in which students will benefit from the forthcoming science center prompted Mitchler to make the gift. The telescope and observatory

were part of his private collection.

The high-quality powerful telescope is approximately 5 feet long and more than 7 inches in diameter, and it is capable of photography. The observatory is a dome approximately 10 feet in diameter. It has openings that allow for stargazing while protecting individuals and their telescopes from light, wind and dew. The telescope and observatory both have remote capabilities, enabling usage via a smart phone or computer. These features will allow Thapaliya to show real-time imagery or captured photos to students without physically relocating to where the equipment is stationed.

The new equipment is gamechanging for the type of teaching and learning that can now happen

at Franklin College, according to Thapaliya, who will teach an astronomy class during Winter Term 2018. He sees the equipment as an added value for prospective students, as well. The equipment also likely will benefit the greater Franklin community through continuing education opportunities and special programs the college may develop.

“Our equipment, prior to this gift, included two small telescopes and some models of the solar system and the Milky Way; I thought I would have to rely on showing videos to give students supplemental content.

There is a reputable observatory in Martinsville (Ind.) that my class will visit if all our schedules permit, but, if not, we now have this high-quality

Donors’ gifts add up, build endowed funds An anonymous donor was the impetus for a matching-gift campaign that enabled two funds in the mathematics and computing department to recently become endowed, the Bonnie Pribush Excellence in Computing Award fund and the Mathematics Achievement Awards fund. (The latter fund encompasses awards named for Rodney T. Hood, deceased mathematics professor emeritus, John Grimmer (HD ’12), deceased college trustee emeritus, Thorp Wolford (HD ’98), deceased college trustee emeritus, Paul T. Nugent ’57, Ph.D., mathematics professor emeritus, and Richard “Dick” Park (HD ’02), Ph.D., mathematics professor emeritus.)

Director of Development Nora (Lowe) Brems ’87 led the charge to bring each fund up to an endowed level of $10,000. At this level, each fund can generate approximately $400 annually, which is earmarked for monetary awards for departmentalhonors recipients in the short term,

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with the goal of building the funds over time to the level that those awards can be turned into scholarships.

Brems said, “The anonymous donor who issued the matching-gift challenge was very happy with the campaign results and excited about the prospect of these funds growing even stronger.

After all, that’s the purpose of establishing an endowed fund; it should be celebrated through ongoing gifts that commemorate special events and people.

“Recurring gifts help ensure the overall college endowment is growing, one passion-based project at a time.

Donors who give in this way are thinking about the future and thinking big, enabling the college to maximize the number of students it can assist, while also increasing the scope of assistance the college can provide.”

Outreach for this campaign was conducted primarily by phone and through personal visits.

“Alumni were genuinely happy to hear from us and appreciated the

chance to give back in honor of favorite professors who helped them get where they are today, professionally and personally,” said Brems.

Tony Myers ’97 and his wife, Sarah (Pierson) ’98, contributed to the matching-gift campaign and have made several previous gifts. Both work in academia and teach mathematics.

Their reasons for giving are personal and philanthropic.

“We each appreciate the Franklin College experience we had. When we hear of special funds or awards in honor of our cherished and respected professors, we naturally want to give what we can,” said Sarah.

Tony added, “We recently had dinner with some of the Franklin faculty and students when they attended a conference in Columbus, Ohio, near our home. We heard firsthand about the opportunities that students have through these awards, and it added another dimension to why we keep giving.” www.FranklinCollege.edu

equipment that will enable significant research.

“The new telescope and observatory will truly support engaged learning. It’s going to make concepts more concrete and enable students to learn observational techniques that can carry over to a future hobby in astronomy, if they choose,” said Thapaliya.

Prior to teaching students how to use the equipment, Thapaliya is familiarizing himself with it. He previously completed some graduate courses in astronomy, but he is in the process of becoming a member of the Indiana Astronomical Society.

The group will give Thapaliya a chance to network with others who have keen interest and knowledge in

observational astronomy, as well the chance to attend a monthly meeting for amateur astronomers to get advice on using equipment.

“I can’t express my appreciativeness for Mr. Mitchler’s gifts in words; I can’t thank him enough,” said Thapaliya. “He has given us a great opportunity to help students learn more about the universe and become more informed citizens.

It’s going to be fascinating to learn with them and try to connect what is happening so far away from us with what we see, hear and experience in everyday life.” ■

Justin Gash, Ph.D., mathematics and computing division head, is grateful for the outpouring of support from donors.

“These awards funds are vital in two ways that impact the present and the future. They help the college support students who are excelling academically, making their professional foundation stronger. They also impact our department culture, in terms of the ways in which excellence is recognized.

“When students receive awards from these funds, I think it helps them recognize they are a part of college history and they are benefiting from someone else’s generosity.

It shows them an example of the impact they can make as alumni, and it sets the stage for keeping them in the Franklin family after they graduate.”

The newly endowed funds join existing endowed awards named for Dwight Heath ’43, mathematics

professor emeritus, Paul Callon and wife Lucille (McFadden) ’25 and their in-laws Harry Doub and wife Martha, longtime friends of Franklin College and overall supporters of education, and Richard M. Park (HD ’02), mathematics professor emeritus. The Callons’ and Doubs’ grandson, Dan Callon ’77, Ph.D., currently teaches mathematics at Franklin College. Dan’s mother, Ruth (Doub) Callon ’52 (HD ’11), also taught at the college. She and Dan’s aunt, Marian Callon, created the Callon-Doub award in memory of Dan’s grandparents.

Award recipients are recognized at two events annually, a departmental luncheon and the college’s honors convocation. To make a gift to these funds or discuss other gifting opportunities, please call Brems at (513) 205-2324 or email nbrems@FranklinCollege.edu. ■

www.FranklinCollege.edu

New fund supports football program Head football coach Mike Leonard and his brothers, Mark and Dave, recently made a gift to honor their parents, George E. and Anna K., and celebrate their passion for faith, family, football and Franklin College.

For 15 seasons, Mike has led the Grizzlies to Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference dominance, posting nine conference titles.

He attributes the success of his teams not to his coaching ability or recruiting style, but to his parents.

“All three of us really appreciate the model that our parents gave us during our foundational years,” said Mike. “They let each of us chase our passions and supported us along the way. For that we will be forever grateful. Even now, in their 65th year of marriage, they continue to be our greatest fans. Because of all this, we honor them with this endowed family fund.”

The George E. and Anna K. Leonard Family Endowed Fund will provide budget support for out-of-state football recruitment, helping to ensure that talent and geographic diversity are hallmarks of the Grizzlies’ roster.

Mark said, “My parents love enjoying a cool, crisp, clear fall afternoon of Franklin College football with their extended family, and I look forward to tailgating and watching a game at Franklin with them each year.

I want this endowment to help future generations continue to enjoy Grizzly football excellence, as well as to experience the beauty of fall at Franklin College.”

Dave added, “We are excited to honor our parents in this fashion. The endowment will allow quality student-athletes to be identified and recruited to Franklin College, bolstering geographic diversity and talent, while expanding the Grizzly football brand outside of Indiana.” ■

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Franklin Fund impacts students

RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06

An introductory course in international business relations helped Samantha Gutierrez ’18 pinpoint a personal passion. With help from her adviser, Randall Smith, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, she crafted an individualized major focused on international diplomacy and built on a foundation of liberal arts classes in political science, economics, business, sociology, history and philosophy.

With graduate school as her primary goal, international travel and study abroad were key objectives. Her freshman year, Gutierrez spent Winter Term in France and took language classes in Montpelier. During the fall of her junior year, she studied at Vesalius College in Brussels, Belgium, where several global entities have headquarters. Professors at the college included a NATO Defense and Security Committee director and a political analyst with European diplomacy expertise. Their global outlooks helped to broaden the perspectives she had gained from Franklin College faculty. She also lived with a host family while in Brussels to gain cultural insights. She used her free time to visit The Netherlands, France, Germany and Italy.

“Studying abroad helped me become more independent and confident,” she said.

After her return stateside, the Franklin College political science faculty linked Gutierrez with the West Foundation, based in Indianapolis. At her paid internship, Gutierrez researches East African funding trends, especially those critical for achieving women’s and girls’ rights. She also contributes to the organization’s social media platforms.

Gutierrez, a past participant in the International Honors Experience at Franklin College, concentrated her studies on South African nationalism. She has sharpened her leadership skills in Student Congress and has tutored her college peers in French and political science at the college’s Write Place. Gutierrez also has been an English language tutor at the local public library.

After graduation, Gutierrez plans to attend graduate school for diplomacy or foreign affairs. She hopes to work for an international government organization, a non-governmental organization or the U.S. State Department as a diplomat. Gutierrez also desires to live and work overseas.

Your gifts to the Franklin Fund help students like Gutierrez realize their college dreams and go on to make a difference in the world. Give online at www.FranklinCollege.edu/giving or call (317) 738-8040. ■