TABLE OF CONTENTS “TELL ME AND I FORGET. TEACH ME AND I REMEMBER. INVOLVE ME AND I LEARN.” —BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
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Marching onward and upward Catch up with the class of 2016 in our six-page recap, including awards presentations, speech excerpts and candid photos.
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Teaching legacies Learn which faculty members received the college’s annual awards for excellence in teaching, scholarship and service.
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Celebrating athletic achievement Check out the team and individual accomplishments that gave the Grizzlies and their fans plenty to roar about this spring.
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Bringing the sciences to life Discover how faculty, students and alumni are making an impact in wildlife research, culinary arts and food manufacturing.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
With the close of the academic year, coincidentally also the end of my first year as Franklin College President, I find myself marveling over all the work that faculty and staff accomplished and imparted to students through engaged-learning opportunities. I’m also beaming as I think about all the promising students with whom I’ve had the pleasure of becoming acquainted and all the extraordinary 2016 graduates that I had an opportunity to witness receive their degrees. When I look around this campus, I see a community of teachers and learners who also happen to be remarkable dreamers and doers. This college community that inspires originates from the commitment Franklin faculty and staff share in providing students a personalized, interdisciplinary, transformative experience in the liberal arts and sciences. Faculty imagine the types of engaged-learning opportunities that will benefit students most, and they collaborate with colleagues and community partners, plan strategically, seek grants and donor support and stalwartly steward the concept to deliver a hands-on curriculum that will help prepare students for the real world. TheStatehouseFile.com, the Pulliam School of Journalism’s nonpartisan government news bureau, is one example. The bureau is a catalyst for student-journalists’ careers, exposing them to the challenges of covering controversial topics, objectively, interviewing political figures of various backgrounds and disseminating the news. Through their work at TheStatehouseFile.com students sometimes are invited to take on special projects, such as a documentary on a legendary Indiana political figure. When that project involves collaboration with faculty and staff as well as a public broadcasting network and garners an Emmy it’s momentous. (Turn to Page 13 to learn more.) Recently, journalism students went on the road to cover the two national political conventions, and we’ll share more about their experiences this fall.
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magazine
DEPARTMENTS
Summer 2016, Vol. LXXXXCI, No. 2.
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Around Campus
Published in spring, summer and autumn
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Faculty/Staff Notes
Franklin, Indiana 46131-2623. Printed in the USA.
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Athletics
Franklin College
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Science Spotlight
101 Branigin Boulevard
by Franklin College, 101 Branigin Boulevard,
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Send address changes to: Office of Development and Alumni Engagement
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Alumni News
Franklin, Indiana 46131-2623.
Staff ON THE COVER:
Editor: Amy (Kean) VerSteeg ’96
Assistant professor of mathematics Stacy Hoehn hugs graduate LeilahOlivia Hendricks ’16, who earned a degree in software engineering. She recently accepted an information technology associate position with Revenue Solutions, Inc. COVER PHOTO BY KELLY MARCELO ’17
Sports Information Director: Dale Long Director of Communications: Deidra Baumgardner
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Another example of faculty and student collaboration is the scientific research a biology professor and students are conducting this summer. With funding from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program in partnership with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the Franklin group is tracking and recording data on urban mallards. Their original research could impact future state department of natural resources’ decisions on species conservation and land preservation, potentially affecting future generations of Hoosiers and others nationwide. (Learn more on Page 27.) Beyond students, many Franklin alumni are involved in using science to enhance the way we live and the food we eat. (Turn to Pages 30 and 32 for two examples of alumni with science degrees impacting the food-service and manufacturing industries.)
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
These are just a few examples of the opportunities Franklin students have to connect what they learn in the classroom to the real world. As the college continues building its capacity to help cultivate intellectual curiosity that will drive the next century, we are calling upon individuals like you who also are dreamers and doers. The support we receive from you, those who volunteer on our campus, hire our interns and graduates, host alumni gatherings and financially support student scholarships, projects and programs are what make Franklin College stronger. We are excited by your partnership in thinking forward and eager to have you join us as we embrace new dimensions.
Civil Rights Acts of 1964 as amended in 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Sincerely, Thomas J. Minar, Ph.D.
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PHOTOS BY RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06
COMMENCEMENT 2016
Class of 2016 celebrates
COMMENCEMENT New York Times best-selling author, college professor and Episcopal priest Barbara Brown Taylor delivered the class of 2016 baccalaureate sermon on Friday, May 20, in the Spurlock Center gymnasium. Prior to her sermon, “The World in Front of You,” the college presented Brown Taylor with an honorary Steve Alford and Barbara Brown Taylor
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doctorate of divinity. www.FranklinCollege.edu
“You are so ready to do this thing. May God bless you every step of the way.” Brown Taylor’s remarks focused on encouraging students to confidently head into the world ready to act on what they learned during college. “Whom do you allow to define the ‘world’ for you?,” Brown Taylor asked the class of 2016. “I know that people are giving you the elbow right now, telling you that you’re about to find out what the ‘real world’ is like, but what makes this world less real than any other? “Granted, your college education will catapult you to the tiny tip of privilege in the world in front of you—and you would do well never to forget that—but that does not change the truth of the world you have discovered right here at Franklin: Where people stay up all night to raise money for sick kids and run 5K races to honor a classmate who died way too soon, where your friends have kept their arms around you until you have cried yourself out, and your professors have forgiven you 70 times seven for failing to see in yourself what they saw in you until you finally caught up.” She continued with an emphasis on the importance of remaining humble and kind. “And here you are, you incredibly poised young people, the living embodiment of Franklin’s mission to prepare students to think independently, lead responsibly and serve with integrity in your professions, communities and the world—the world you don’t need anyone else to define for you, because you have all the cred you need to do that for yourself. Some of you will go on to make headlines, no doubt about it, but all of you— every last one of you—will have the chance to change a life simply by showing up.” www.FranklinCollege.edu
As if reading the graduates’ minds, Brown Taylor posed the rhetorical question: “How many lives do you have to change to live a life that matters?” Her answer, “Just one.” She added, “That’s what the Good Book says, anyway. When everything finally gets sorted out in the end, when all the masks and bets are off and everyone finds out where God has been hiding all this time, it will all come down to one: One piece of bread, one cup of water, one shirt with no holes in it, one warm welcome, one visit to the jail or the nursing home. Not to evangelize— there’s nothing about that here— but simply to be with someone in one of those places where no one really wants to go. “That is where God has been all this time. That is where God still is, but you don’t need me to tell you that because you already know. The world in front of you is the same world you have been living in all along, just a little hungrier to see you, perhaps, a little thirstier for your company, your willingness to trust what can happen in the air when you let go of what you know for what is coming next. “You are so ready to do this thing. May God bless you every step of the way.”
PHOTOS BY RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06
—Barbara Brown Taylor
Franklin College President Thomas J. Minar, Ph.D., and Gold Quill trophy winner Raphaela Mueller ’16
Honoring excellence On Saturday, May 21, the college hosted commencement activities for 199 graduates in Spurlock Center gymnasium. Special presentations included the Gold Quill trophy for academics and community service to Raphaela Mueller ’16 and the Scholarship Cup for best four-year gradepoint-average to Emily P. Irvin ’16. Irvin was an elementary education major and will begin teaching this
Scholarship Cup winner Emily P. Irvin ’16 and vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college David Brailow, Ph.D.
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COMMENCEMENT 2016 RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06
Class-elected speaker Cody Warren ’16 leads classmates in turning their tassels.
fall at Centerton Elementary School in Martinsville, Ind. Mueller completed an individualized major in Middle Eastern culture and conflict and was accepted into the Harvard School of Divinity, where she will begin the master’s degree program this fall. Additional presentations included the Clifford and Paula Dietz Award for Faculty Excellence to Justin M. Gash, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics and computing and department chair, the Faculty Steering Committee Distinguished Service Award to Meredith Clark-Wiltz, Ph.D., assistant professor of history and department chair, Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award to Beth Moore, Ed.D., associate professor of education,, and the Faculty Excellence in Scholarship Award to Robert Beasley, Ph.D., professor of mathematics and computing Read more about the professors on Pages 16 and 17.
Developing a championship lifestyle Head coach of the University of California - Los Angeles Bruins basket-
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ball team Steve Alford, who also directs an annual youth summer basketball camp at Franklin College, gave the commencement address. Alford talked about his own personal journey — the failures as well as the successes — and the role God has played in it. He said that, for him, faith has been the number one key to developing a championship lifestyle. He encouraged students to make spirituality a part of their daily habits and to use faith as the foundation for their life. The second thing Alford emphasized to Franklin College’s class of 2016 was the importance of believing in yourself. Alford shared how his eighth-grade school guidance counselor had once chided him for listing professional basketball player as his career goal. The counselor said it was impossible. “Nothing was more rewarding for me than five years later being honored at New Castle High School as a U.S. Olympian,” said Alford, a starting player in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Alford continued with a laugh and said, “I can remember her coming up to me and saying, ‘Well, you really haven’t become a professional basketball player yet.’” He would go on to play in 169 games in the NBA over four seasons, mostly with the Dallas Mavericks. “The point is you’re going to have a lot of people saying, ‘That doesn’t make sense’ or ‘We can’t have that kind of idea.’ You’re 2016 grads. You have incredible ideas and thoughts ahead of you, and you’re going to be told ‘No’ several times,” he said. “But I really challenge you to stay true to your beliefs.” Just as he did with the professional basketball career dream and the counselor who challenged it. Another key to Alford’s life has been finding and doing what he loves. “Once you find your purpose you’ll find your passion. You’ve got to love what you do. Passion is the first step toward your achievement.” He then emphasized the importance of being motivated to compete with other job seekers and to pursue opportunities. Alford reinforced his
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point with a basketball analogy. “This degree has allowed you to get to the jump ball circle, and there are a lot of people who aren’t going to get to the jump ball circle,” Alford said. “When you leave today that ball gets thrown in the air, and now the game of life really begins.”
Finding a home at Franklin College After Alford’s address, the college presented the class of 2016 with their degrees. Then, class-elected speaker Cody Warren ’16 spoke. Warren reflected back on his first and second campus visits as a prospective student, explaining how he arrived at thinking of Franklin as more than a college. Warren said, “As cliché as it may sound, Franklin College has really become a home for me.” He added that as a psychology major he relies on concrete definitions to help make sense of the world around him. “The best definition I found was from Webster Dictionary, which said that a home is ‘the place in which one’s domestic affections are centered.’” But to determine what makes a home, Warren consulted an unconventional academic resource, Good Housekeeping magazine. With good humor, he shared a list of nine characteristics, based on the magazine’s standards, which make Franklin College a home:
4. Dings, scratches and flaws: The sketchy Old Main elevator. Barnes Hall. Hoover-Cline residence halls. 5. Endless to-do list: Professors have mastered this aspect of making Franklin a home. As soon as one thing is done, five other things pop up! 6. Comfy corners: I see the comfy corners as being all those organizations we got involved in during college. We all found our niches in organizations that helped us build ourselves as students and individuals. College is about more than the degree we just received; it’s also all those experiences that build up to the degree. 7. Collections: We all built great collections of knowledge while we were at Franklin through all the liberal arts courses that expanded our basic knowledge and developed our critical-thinking skills.
8. Family heirlooms: These are the traditions that have been passed down from generations of Grizzlies: FOCUS Day, the Bell Ceremony, and the march around campus during orientation freshman year and repeating the same march during commencement, Sagasitting, Greek Week, Homecoming and the privy burn, Grizzly Grand Prix, and the list could go on. 9. Memories: Each of us has our own memories that will be with us for life. Thank you to all of you who were involved in mine. Thank you for making Franklin my home for the past four years and for being my family, friends and community.” After Warren led the graduates in the ceremonial turning of their tassels, Robert “Bob” Heuchan ’76, welcomed them into the Alumni Association, the worldwide network of Franklin College graduates that provides the privileges associated with a Franklin College degree. ■
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, Meredith “Marty” Price ’66 and Karen (Jameson) Ferrill ’66 participated.
1. “People — and other creatures — you share it with: It’s the people that make Franklin home, from the faculty and staff to the students and administration.
RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06
2. Noises: The noises of freshmen bonding in the Elsey Hall basement, choir and bands performing in Custer Theatre, the train chugging by campus during a class lecture, the mowing crews out at 4:30 a.m., town sirens at 11 a.m. and fans cheering at Faught Stadium. 3. Good food: Well, it’s getting better. Thank you, Chef Rosie!
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Kelsi Cuskaden ’16, assistant professor of biology Benjamin O’Neal, Ph.D., and Kelly Reed ’16
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Marco Radjenovic ’16, Matt Haggard ’16 and Levi Remley ’16
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Michelle Murphy ’16 and the A.J. Thurston Chair of Music, music department chair and director of choral activities Casey J. Hayes, Ph.D.
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Lucas Windell ’16 and Jeremiah Windell ’16
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Esthepanie Rendon ’16
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Hillary Marie McCloskey ’16, Leilah-Olivia Hendricks ’16 and Atama Abdourahmane ’16
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Head cross-country, track and field coach Paul Sargent ’91 and Ally Marlow ’16
12. Michelle Rojas ’16, Emily Meese ’16 and Amanda Creech ’16
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Brittany Harcourt ’16
13. Paige Clark ’16 and Ashley Smith ’16
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First row: Professor of Spanish Sara Colburn-Alsop, Ph.D., Conner McNeely ’16, Michelle Murphy ’16, Olivia Beaman ’16, modern languages instructor Kathryn Johnston, Paige Reisinger ’16, Hayden Scgalski ’16, Mia Taskey ’16 and Atama Abdourahmane ’16. Second row: Jarrod Brown, assistant professor of modern languages, Kristin Wasielewski, Ph.D., Daniel Harvey ’16, assistant professor of Spanish Dan Alsop, Ph.D., and Frank Davis ’16.
14. Assistant professor of business Steven Scheer, Ph.D., and Chase Steinbrunner ’16
10. Professor emerita of English Kathy Carlson and Katie O’Mara ’16
15. Danny Olson ’16 and Matt Niehoff ’16
PHOTOS BY BRENDA (THOM) FERGUSON ’95, RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06, AND KELLY MARCELO ”17
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Business majors rank among nation’s top students The business department’s senior class ranked in the top 8 percent among classes at the 563 U.S. colleges and universities that participated in this year’s testing cycle of the Educational Testing Service Major Field Test. The test was administered to 68,594 students across the country. As a requirement for their degree, senior business majors at Franklin College have taken the Major Field Test since 1992. The test is designed to evaluate mastery of concepts, gauge academic achievement and assess the outcomes of the business program. The test requires not only knowledge
of facts, but also interpretation and analysis of information. The business department has a long history of seniors scoring in the nation’s top 10 percent annually. “These test scores are tangible evidence of our students’ ability to retain and apply what they have learned in their classes,” said Jim Williams, professor of business. “While the scores certainly indicate academic success, they also show employers that Franklin College business students are motivated potential employees who learn quickly and thoroughly and strive for excellence. The combination
of strong academics plus internships and professional development should make Franklin graduates very attractive to potential employers.” The job placement rate for Franklin College business majors is approximately 95 percent. Previous graduates have been hired and, in some instances, have risen to partner status at Cummins, BKD accounting, Dauby O’Connor & Zaleski (DOZ) accounting, Wells Fargo, Simon Property Group, Celadon Logistics and PNC Bank. ■
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Law scholarship recipients announced
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Jessica Ayer ’16
In April, Jessica Ayer ’16 and James “Alex” Zimmerman ’15 learned they were selected for two coveted positions in the Franklin College Law Scholars Program at the IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Franklin College and the IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law 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 half-tuition 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. 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. Ayer and Zimmerman both majored in political science. She was involved in Student Congress, Model UN, Pre-Law Club, InterVarsity and Tri Delta sorority. He was involved in Pi Sigma Alpha national political science honorary society and Kappa Delta Rho fraternity. 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 Ayer and Zimmerman begin law school. “We are thrilled at the success of the Franklin Law Scholars partnership with the McKinney School of Law,” Fetter-Harrott said. “Each of this year’s law scholars bring to the law school tremendous potential. I can’t wait to see what Alex and Jessica will do with their careers. I’m confident McKinney will give them stellar preparation for the practice of law.” Franklin College will again nominate two more students and/or alumni in fall 2016 for admission into the law school’s fall 2017 entering class. For more information, contact afetter-harrot@FranklinCollege.edu. ■
James “Alex” Zimmerman ’15
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RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06
In the front row are Matt Haggard ’16, Katie Arnold ’16, Eli Moore ’16, Trae Washington ’16, Arjun Bhalla ’16, Melissa Sanders ’16 and Jeremiah Windell ’16. In the back row are Marco Radjenovic ’16, Hayden Cleveland ’16, professor of business Jim Williams, Levi Remley ’16 and Lucas Windell ’16. Senior business majors not pictured are Candice Wright ’16, Danny Olson ’16, David Allspaw ’16 and Shannon Murphy ’16.
Athletic training majors sweep exam Franklin’s senior class of athletic training majors achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the national Board of Certification (BOC) exam in April, continuing a long history of program success. Director of the Franklin College Athletic Training Program Kathy Taylor Remsburg provided some metrics to illustrate how Franklin’s exemplary athletic training program compares nationally: n Franklin students consistently have achieved a 100 percent overall passing rate on the annual BOC since the college’s athletic training program began in 2003. The national overall passing rate is 57.6 percent annually. n On average, 96 percent of Franklin students pass the BOC on their first try; the national average first-time passing rate is 82.7 percent. n Franklin has maintained a 100 percent placement rate for students applying to graduate school programs or starting careers for the last 10 years. Students must pass the BOC exam and graduate with a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited athletic training education program, such as Franklin’s, to become certified. Once certified, they must meet ongoing continuing education requirements in order to remain certified. Athletic trainers must also work under the direction of a physician and within their state practice laws. ■ RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06
Congratulations, Thaddeus Broderick ’16, McKensie Vanosdol ’16, Grant Finlan ’16 and Bryce Wellin ’16!
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Psychology department celebrates productive spring The psychology department had a busy spring, with several accomplishments to celebrate. One hundred percent of seniors majoring in psychology passed their comprehensive exams for the third consecutive year, and all eight of those who applied to graduate schools this year were admitted into one program or more. Congratulations, Rebecca Beaman ’16, Cody Beeks ’16, Theresa Brown ’16, Emily Erlenbaugh ’16, Madison Giles ’16, Cara Haynes ’16, Valerie Jacobson ’16, Melissa Kerfoot ’16, Erin Moll ’16, Michelle Murphy ’16, Christopher Percifield ’16, Esthepanie Rendon ’16, Felicia Roembke ’16, Nicholas Sanders ’16, Kiersten Sedler ’16, Hillary Sharp ’16, Erin Sheets ’16 and Cody Warren ’16. Additionally, 24 students majoring in psychology presented their research at the Mid-America Undergraduate Research Conference in Psychology at Earlham College in Richmond, Ind., April 22–23. Four students also presented research at the Midwestern Psychological Association professional conference in Chicago, May 4–7. “Last year was the first time that Franklin students presented research at the Midwestern Psychological Association conference, and this year there were three student-projects accepted. We’re really proud of the work our students are doing, and the progress we’re making in being recognized as a strong college for this field of study,” said Jamie Bromley, Ph.D., psychology department chair and associate professor. To end the academic year, Franklin College hosted a Psychology Scholars’ Day on campus May 11, providing a forum for students from various classes to share their research presentations in a conference-type environment. The day gave students an opportunity to further build skills that will benefit them in their future endeavors. ■ Summer 2016
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© THE REMNANT TRUST
AROUND CAMPUS
Get your hands on rare books Franklin College will host an exhibit of books from The Remnant Trust this fall. The exhibit will provide what is likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to touch, hold and read original manuscripts and rare first-edition publications. One of the trust’s most prominent items is a manuscript of the Magna Carta that was made about 135 years after the English document's creation. The document established the rule of law and was a precursor to modern constitutions and other measures to protect civil liberties. The Remnant Trust, a nonprofit organization guided by a board of directors, is committed to elevating educational standards and the public’s understanding of individual liberty and human dignity by providing access to the world’s great ideas in their original form. The trust operates on n Summa Theolgiae Paris Secunda, n n n n n n n n n n n n
Thomas Aquinas, 1475 Politiques, Aristotle, 1598, first edition Citie of God, Augustine of Hippo, first English edition The Battle for Native Industry, Parliament, 1846 Declaration of Independence, 1777, third edition Domesday Book, William of Normandy, 1986, Alecto historical editions The Federatlist, 1788, first edition The Iliad, Homer, 1715 – 20, first edition Two Treatises of Government, John Locke, 1694, second edition Works of Niccolo Machiavelli, 1680, second English edition Metamorphisis, Ovid, 1505 Du contract social, Jean Jacques Rousseau, 1762, first edition Declaration of Rights, Percy Bysshe Shelley, 1819
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capital from grants, private and public contributions and capital raised through fundraising events. The trust makes its collection available to colleges, universities and other organizations for student, faculty, scholar and general public use. The Remnant Trust previously loaned an exhibit to Franklin College in 2005. The exhibit opens in the college’s B.F. Hamilton Library on Sept. 8 and remains open through Dec. 2. Access is free and open to the public, during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. Franklin College thanks honorary trustee John D. Peterson for his generosity in making The Remnant Trust exhibit possible on campus. The following is a complete list of the items included in the Franklin College exhibit:
n The History, Thucydides, 1550, first n
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English edition Letters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, Mary Wollstonecraft, 1796, first edition The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Adam Smith, 1759, first edition Ethics, Artistotle, 1496, first edition Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society Founding Document, Benjamin Franklin, 1787, first edition Elements, Euclid, 1545, second Italian edition Leaves of Grass, Vols. I and II, Walt Whitman, 1942 U.S. Grant and the Colored People, Frederick Douglass, 1872 Notes on the State of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson, 1801 The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, 1687 Magna Carta, ca. 1350, manuscript
n A New View of Society, Robert Owen,
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n De Consolatio Philosophiae, Anicius
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Manlius Severinus, ca. 1400 – 25, manuscript Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx, 1888 Capital: A Critical Analysis of Capitalist Production, Karl Marx, 1946 Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes, 1651 Articles of Confederation, Congress, 1789, first book edition Koran Manuscript, 16the century The Works of William Shakespeare, 1714–57 Akkadian Clay Tablet, ca. 2500 B.C. Sumerian Terracotta Tablet, 2200 B.C. Laws of the State of Indiana, Indiana General Assembly, 1819 The History of Women, William Alexander, Vols. 1 and 2, 1796, first American edition ■
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And the Emmy goes to . . . Franklin College journalism faculty, staff and students recently earned a regional Emmy for a documentary they produced in collaboration with public broadcasting affiliate WFYI-TV Indianapolis. The documentary, “Bill Hudnut: Twilight Reflections, Evening Meditations,” won in the Interview/Discussion — Program Series/Special category at the Emmy ceremony on June 18 in Sandusky, Ohio. The Emmy-winning team included videographers Emily Metheny ’15 and Andrea TenBarge ’17, co-writer and Pulliam School of Journalism Director John Krull ’81 and field producer and college broadcast news coordinator Aubrey Helms. The 30-minute documentary sheds light on the legacy and current health challenges of former Indianapolis Mayor William “Bill” H. Hudnut III, who served four terms from 1976–91. “None of this would have been possible if Bill and Bev Hudnut hadn’t shared their story — an essential part of Indiana history — with us so openly and if our partners at WFYI hadn’t seen the possibilities for both the community and our students,” said Krull. “The students rose to the challenge, and we’re really proud of them.” “WFYI makes every effort to inspire the best in our community by telling stories and connecting people,” said Lloyd Wright, president and CEO of WFYI Public Media in Indianapolis. “WFYI is very proud to partner with Franklin College to tell his story.” ■
One-day challenge achieves strong finish
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Graduates Of the Last Decade, also known as GOLD donors, met the challenge of making 130 gifts, unlocking a $1,000 gift from an anonymous donor. A total of 173 alumni meeting the criteria made gifts. College faculty and staff members met the challenge of making 130 gifts, unlocking a $1,500 gift from the college president’s cabinet members. A total of 140 faculty and staff made gifts. In addition to their fiscal year gifts, Alumni Council members led by example with 94 percent participation in #GivetoGRIZ and were recognized for their dedication with a gift of $1,500 from former Alumni Council member and alumna Melanie Norton ’90. The new student philanthropy project, Griz Lee: A Student Campaign for Change, celebrated with 124 students depositing their Griz Lee bear banks at the Napolitan Student Center where Franklin College President Thomas J. Minar, Ph.D., gave $5 for each student who participated. Lastly, achieving the overall goal of 500 total donors unlocked $17,450 in gifts from alumni and friends, including a gift of $5,000 from college trustee James T. “Jim” Napolitan (H.D. ’12), Ph.D., and his wife, Sandy (Mock) ’60.
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With strong participation from generations of alumni and numerous faculty, staff and college friends active on social media, the Franklin College Office of Development and Alumni Engagement exceeded its fundraising goals for the fourth annual one-day giving challenge known as #GivetoGRIZ. The annual #GiveToGriz campaign benefits the Franklin Fund, which helps the college address core needs such as student scholarships, technology upgrades and academic and cultural programming enhancements. This year’s one-day challenge was conducted April 21 and raised $80,107. “We gratefully acknowledge the incredible personal commitment that 567 of our alumni, friends, faculty and staff demonstrated to elevate Franklin College. Their philanthropy provides for student opportunities and enterprise,” said Gail Lowry, vice president for development and alumni engagement. Targeted outreach and matching-gift challenges helped generate increased response to the campaign and “unlocked” $27,000 in gifts.
Emmy-winning videographers Emily Metheny ’15 and Andrea TenBarge ’17
Since the first #GivetoGriz campaign in 2012, each year has been more successful than the previous. In 2013, the successful campaign earned the Office of Development and Alumni Engagement a Silver Award in their district from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. ■ www.FranklinCollege.edu
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Free lecture series features thought leaders It is our tradition to offer an annual convocation lecture series reflecting the common set of values that enhances our college community and sustains personal, spiritual, intellectual and professional growth for a lifetime. Franklin College values integrity, inclusivity, intellectual curiosity, innovation and creativity, and a spirit of community. Each lecture and/or exhibit in our series is free and open to the public, extending enrichment and learning opportunities to our Franklin College partners and friends. We hope you can join us for one or more lectures this academic year. The full schedule follows.
“Two Hundred Years of Indiana History: Stories from Our Hoosier Heritage” Indiana Bicentennial Legacy Project and Constitution Day Lecture Thursday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m. Branigin Room, Napolitan Student Center
“Is National Unity Possible? Achieving Political Cohesion in an Era of Group Demands, Media Fragmentation and Individual Expression” Thursday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m. Branigin Room, Napolitan Student Center
As we celebrate Indiana’s Bicentennial, James H. Madison, Ph.D., the Thomas and Kathryn Miller Emeritus of History at Indiana University and one of the state’s preeminent historians, will present some of the best stories of Indiana’s past — from the pioneer era, through the Civil War, to the 21st century. His illustrated talk will focus on the Hoosier experience, highlight connections between past and present and help Hoosiers think about their future. This lecture will take place in conjunction with the 5:30 p.m. opening reception showcasing the new space in B.F. Hamilton library dedicated to the Honorable Roger Douglas Branigin Archives. Branigin, a 1923 Franklin College graduate, served as the 42nd governor of Indiana from 1965–69. The permanent collection will include his official papers, rare books and personal memorabilia. The archives were curated to help raise public awareness of the significance of Indiana history as well as introduce visitors to Branigin’s life story, his achievements and his colorful personality. The archives are made possible by John C. Duffey ’79 and his wife, Teresa (Hagee) ’77.
A fifth-generation Hoosier, former Sen. Richard G. Lugar (H.D. ’83) left the U.S. Senate as the longest-serving member of Congress in Indiana history, serving from 1977–2013. He also served as the mayor of Indianapolis from 1968–76. Lugar is currently president of The Lugar Center, a nonprofit focusing on global-food security, weapons of mass destruction nonproliferation, aid effectiveness and bipartisan governance. He also serves as a professor of practice and distinguished scholar at the School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University. Lugar’s convocation lecture coincides with Franklin College’s exhibit from The Remnant Trust, Inc. The exhibit, featuring original, first and early pamphlets, manuscripts and complete works, will be on display at the college’s B.F. Hamilton Library, Sept. 8 through Dec. 2, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The generosity of Franklin College Honorary Trustee John D. Peterson makes the exhibit possible. Read the related article on Page 12. “Death of the Watchman?” Thursday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m. Spurlock Center gymnasium
Walter “Robby” V. Robinson, editorat-large for the Boston Globe, will share his perspective on the abandoned, or sharply curtailed, style of journalism
14 F R A N K L I N C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E
that holds powerful institutions accountable, as highlighted in the film, “Spotlight.” With news organizations everywhere struggling to survive, Robinson will share his view on how the loss of the journalistic “watchman” imperils democracy. Earlier in the day, the Indiana High School Press Association and the Pulliam School of Journalism will feature Robinson as a special media-tour session for the Journalism Education Association’s national convention in Indianapolis. Students will have the opportunity to see a live broadcast when John Krull ’81, Pulliam School of Journalism director, interviews Robinson on “No Limits,” the show Krull hosts for the local NPR station WFYI. After the 1 p.m. broadcast, students will have time to meet the journalist whose investigativereporting team earned a Pulitzer Prize and became the inspiration for an Academy Award-winning movie. “Listen, Amplify, Act: The Path of Solidarity” Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration Monday, Jan. 16, 4 p.m. Richardson Chapel
The Rev. Hannah Adair Bonner, ordained in the United Methodist Church, serves as the curator of The Shout, a spoken-word, poetryfocused arts and justice community in Houston, Texas, that seeks to put words into actions. Bonner will discuss those crying out for justice and equality in our communities, a world “that competes for attention and time, a culture that resists change through complacency and the role each of us plays in building our future. www.FranklinCollege.edu
“Dumb Things Well-Intended People Say: 10 Skills to Increase Your Diversity Competence” Black History Month Event Thursday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m. Branigin Room, Napolitan Student Center
Maura J. Cullen, Ed.D., is widely considered one of the nation’s foremost authorities on diversity issues on college campuses today. Cullen will discuss statements people often make in an effort to be supportive or complimentary, but are actually problematic. Meant as joining statements, these remarks often have the opposite effect and end up creating a larger divide. Participants will gain knowledge of communication traps, how to avoid them and what tools to use in their place. “Black Lives Matter, Democracy and Economic Justice: Reflections on the Long Black Freedom Movement in the United States” Thursday, April 6, 7 p.m. Branigin Room, Napolitan Student Center
Based on her experiences as an activist and an award-winning scholar, Barbara Ransby, Ph.D., a professor of history, African-American studies and gender and women’s studies for the University of Illinois at Chicago, will contrast the relevance of the black lives matter movement with the failures of U.S. democracy and the growing crisis of economic inequality. While assessing the urgencies of the current political environment, she also will reflect on what historians term the long black freedom movement. Her lecture is presented by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of American History, in collaboration with the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The exhibit is made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities and is part of its Bridging Cultures initiative, "Created Equal: America's Civil Rights Struggle," which brings four films on the issue to U.S. communities (see www.createdequal.neh.gov). "Created Equal" encourages communities to revisit and reflect on the long history of civil rights in America. ■ www.FranklinCollege.edu
Thank you to our partners for their participation and support: n Indiana High School Press Association n The Remnant Trust, Inc.
n The “Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle” initiative is made possible through a
major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, as part of its Bridging Cultures initiative. The convocation lecture series also is made possible by several groups and special funds at Franklin College:
n B.F. Hamilton Library/ Honorable Roger Douglas Branigin Archives n Elmon and Lucille Williams Chair in Law and Public Service n Engaged learning office n English department
n Gov. Roger D. Branigin Endowed Chair n History department
n Maurice and Rose Johnson Endowed Chair in the Humanities n Office of development and alumni engagement n Office of diversity and inclusion n Political science department
n Pulliam School of Journalism n Wymer Endowed Lecture
Summer 2016
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F A C U LT Y / S T A F F N O T E S
PHOTOS BY RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06
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, four 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: Justin Gash
Justin M. Gash, Ph.D., associate
serve as judge or participant in
professor of mathematics and
numerous student activities.
computing and department chair,
Justin brings life and laughter
degree in history, political
was recipient of the Clifford and
wherever he goes. He has been
science and English from the
Paula Dietz Award for Faculty
an incredibly positive force in our
University of Louisiana-Lafayette,
Excellence. The award recognizes
department and on our campus.”
her master’s degree in history
faculty members who exhibit
Meredith Clark-Wiltz
Beth Moore
Robert Beasley
16 F R A N K L I N C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E
Gash received his bachelor’s
this past academic year. She earned her bachelor’s
from Bowling Green State
strong competence in their
degree in mathematics and
discipline, demonstrate an ability
computer science from DePauw
ate in history from The Ohio State
to communicate effectively, not
University and his master’s
University.
merely information about, but an
degree in computer science and
understanding of the discipline
his doctorate of philosophy in
Beth Moore, Ed.D., associate
and can stimulate students and
mathematics from Indiana
professor of education, received
faculty colleagues to do their
University.
the Faculty Excellence in
University (Ohio) and her doctor-
Teaching Award. The award
best work. One nomination letter said the
Meredith Clark-Wiltz, Ph.D.,
recognizes faculty who exhibit
following about Gash, “Justin has
assistant professor of history
mastery of subject, communicate
come up with a variety of class-
and department chair, was
effectively with students, respect
room activities and approaches
recipient of the Faculty Steering
all students, believe in students’
that he has piloted, refined and
Committee Distinguished Service
ability to learn and provide help-
shared with the department.
Award. The award recognizes
ful feedback to students.
Students love him and often seek
faculty who contribute positively
him for help on both classroom
to the college in ways that go
student said, “She seems to
and homework questions as well
beyond their daily job duties.
know when something is bother-
One nomination letter from a
ing me or when I am struggling
as on personal matters. He also
One nomination letter cited
has been sought by a number of
several examples of Clark-Wiltz’s
in some area and is always there
students to supervise their
service, including earning a
with kind words of encourage-
undergraduate research projects.
national endowment for the
ment. Although Dr. Moore and I
He has served in the last two
humanities grant to address
have a very strong academic
years on the Task Force on
civil rights issues and using the
bond, she expresses interest in
Balancing Needs and Resources
grant to bring guest speakers to
my athletics as well. About three
in Academic Programs at
campus to engage faculty, staff,
times a month during basketball
Franklin College and on the
students and the public in related
season she will come to class
Strategic Planning Task Force,
dialogue. Other examples of her
with newspaper clippings that
all while serving as department
dedication included serving on
I was in for previous games.
chair. His work chairing both the
the college’s liberal arts board
Even after she had a very serious
Faculty Curriculum Committee
and assessment team and
personal setback and missed a
and the Undergraduate Research
helping restructure college
few weeks of class, she came
Committee was exemplary. He
curriculum to better address
back with articles that she had
has served for several years as
diversity and women’s issues.
collected for me. For someone
faculty adviser to a fraternity and
Further, Clark-Wiltz chaired a
to be going through such a hard
is regularly sought by students to
library director search committee
time in her life and to still be
www.FranklinCollege.edu
thinking of her students is someRENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06
one that deserves a Teaching Excellence Award.” Moore earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana University, her master’s degree in elementary education from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and her gifted and talented endorsement from Purdue University. She also earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Indiana University. Read more about Moore, who retired in May, on Page 21. Robert Beasley, Ph.D., professor of mathematics and computing, was recipient of the Faculty Excellence in Scholarship Award for the second time in his Franklin career, previously earning it in 2007. The award recognizes faculty for scholarly achievements impacting the college as well as enriching their professional field and/or the greater community.
Prior to retirement, David Brailow, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, presented the Laurels and Lancers trophies to a sophomore man and woman at the annual Bell Ceremony. New students must attend the ceremony as part of their orientation; recognition of high-achieving sophomores underscores the college’s emphasis on academic excellence and community involvement.
Since winning the award nine years ago, Beasley has provided software engineering management for 50 senior seminar
College dean retires, leaves indelible mark
projects, published two books on
By Ashley Steeb ’17
software engineering, published
The Franklin, Reporter and
17 articles in refereed proceed-
Amy (Kean) VerSteeg ’96
ings, presented three papers at
Franklin College magazine, Editor
international conferences and been an invited speaker at nine conferences, seven of which were international. He also has served as an information technology consultant for the Interchurch Food Pantry of Johnson County, Metro Baptist Association and Republic of China Multimedia Education, Learning and Instruction Association. Beasley received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computing from Illinois State University and earned his doctorate in computing from the University of Illinois.
■
www.FranklinCollege.edu
David Brailow, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, retired in June, after 15 years of exemplary service. While he has retired from Franklin College, he has not ended his career. In August, he began serving as vice president of development for the Council of Independent Colleges in Washington, D.C. “I turned 65 last year,” Brailow said. “My plan was to retire in 2017, when my daughter will be graduating from college and when I would have had a chance to help the new president through his transition while still leaving him the opportunity to choose his own chief academic officer, as that is such a key relationship for the college.” Brailow joined Franklin College in 2001, after working as an English professor, theatre director and associate dean at McKendree University in Illinois. “I doubt I’d be going off to start a new job I’ve never done before in a place I’ve never lived if I hadn’t watched so many FC students reinvent themselves in just that sort of way,” Brailow said. In an all-campus email, Franklin College President Thomas J. Minar, Ph.D., recognized Brailow for his contributions and teamwork stating: “Dr. Brailow has been very gracious to me and contributed significantly to my transition into the presidency at Franklin. I know that, as he Continued on Page 18
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F A C U LT Y / S T A F F N O T E S
Retirement and reflection By Mia Taskey ’16 Pulliam Fellow
After impacting hundreds, possibly thousands of students’ lives, four incredible college employees retired from their respective roles in May. Diane Black, Ron Schuetz, Steve Comiskey and Beth Moore collectively gave 74 years of dedicated service. While each one worked in a different department, they all shared in common a passion for serving students. A glimpse of their career contributions and fondest college memories follows.
DOUG GRANT
Wearing many hats Engaged Learning Program Assistant Diane Black began working at Franklin College in 1995, as an
Stephanie Agba ’17 and Diane Black
Continued from Page 17
moves forward to serve our industry nationwide, he will remain a friend and advocate for us. “Dr. Brailow will be remembered at Franklin College not only for the many impactful programmatic initiatives that will be a part of his legacy here, but also for his unwavering commitment to the liberal arts and to the success of our students.” Brailow said he is excited to see where this new career path takes him, but he will miss the relationships he has established.
18 F R A N K L I N C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E
academic secretary and program coordinator for Leadership Johnson County (LJC). In this position, Black assisted the LJC director in coordinating countywide events and tracking budget information. The 10-month LJC program is for adult professionals in the community; they convene at the college for classes and workshops designed to encourage and support their collaboration on local initiatives. Through engaging teamwork, participants learn to become stronger leaders and are better prepared to make a difference in Johnson County. “That’s what really drew me here. I believed so strongly in that program at the time, and I still do. I knew that I wanted to be a part of it, because I could see it being a significant impact on the county, which it has been; it’s had over 500 graduates. It’s a really neat program,” said Black. In addition to LJC program coordinator, Black has served in numerous other roles during her 21 years at the college. She has been an academic adviser, an adjunct instructor of leadership and professional development courses and a program coordinator and facilitator of special events supporting the needs of various departments. While having so many
responsibilities might have been overwhelming for some folks, Black thrived in the ever-changing environment. Black said, “I don’t have any regrets about the college at all. Everything I tried I loved. The changes every year were what I really liked the most. I wasn’t boxed in; I was a facilitator of process, a teacher and an adviser. I loved it all.” Black also made time for community involvement, serving on the Indiana School Board as a representative for District 8 and on the Johnson County Library Board of Directors, among other positions. She served on college committees for enhancing student life and studying campus values as well as a judicial board. Each role gave her the chance to support students and colleagues in significant ways. Amy Gibson ’13, an athletic training and Spanish double major with minors in biology, fitness and leadership, took a New Student Leadership Seminar with Black her freshman year. The experience was pivotal. “Diane had a huge impact in my life because she let me be me. I grew to trust her as more than just a professor; she became my mentor and my friend. I know that I still can go to her to celebrate my joys and accomplishments
“I’ll really miss the people at Franklin, especially the faculty and my amazing academic affairs staff,” he said. “I’ll miss the daily contact with students, which keeps me young and energizes me.” Betsy Schmidt ’85, director of research and grants employed with the college since 1989, said she is excited for Brailow to have a new professional opportunity but sad to lose him as a colleague. “It’s bittersweet because he was such a big part of who Franklin College is and what we were able to
accomplish because of his leadership,” Schmidt said. Over the course of his career at Franklin, Brailow hired 51 of the current 75 full-time faculty members and led successful efforts to restore majors in art and music, establish the first-ever master’s degree program in athletic training and overhaul the 25-year-old liberal arts curriculum. Brailow said he is particularly proud to have been a part of the 2010 launch of Franklin First Scholars, a summer program for first-generation students and their families aimed at helping
www.FranklinCollege.edu
Changing with the times B.F. Hamilton Library Director Ron Schuetz witnessed the rebirth of Franklin College during his 31-year career, having joined the staff during a difficult period in institutional history and remained through several successful campaigns to rebuild, update and expand the campus to grow a consistently strong enrollment. Schuetz became acquainted with the college while working as a medical librarian for Johnson Memorial Hospital. At that time, his wife, Lynne, worked part time as an instructor of public speaking and was involved in establishing the course as part of the college’s liberal arts curriculum. Based
them better understand and cope with the financial, academic and social demands of pursuing a college degree. Franklin First Scholars received national attention as a model program. Additionally, under Brailow’s leadership, Franklin launched several summer bridge programs to help students at academic risk in mathematics and English, among other courses, transition successfully from high school to the rigors of college. “I think, especially for Franklin College, the programs he implement-
ed have done a lot of good,” said biology major Corie Walton ’16. “Broadening people’s different opinions and having variety is really good.” Beyond his academic contributions, Brailow, a tenured professor in the English department at Franklin and a volunteer tutor with the Franklin Community School Corp., was appreciated for intangible qualities that made him a valued leader. “He’s warm and thoughtful and deeply cares about the students and employees,” Schmidt said. “If we could
www.FranklinCollege.edu
RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06
showed me the definition of true love.” The deep satisfaction of knowing she made a difference for Agba and so many other students will help ease Black into retirement, even if she doesn’t know precisely what’s to come. “I don’t have a clue what my plans are. I know I want to spend time with my grandchildren; I love investing in their lives. I also started a book club; I love the challenge of the intellectual. I’m reading five different books right now. I’ll spend more time out in the yard and try to get the landscape completed. And, my husband has been retired for 10 years, so I want to spend time with him,” said Black.
and talk when I am sad or need advice. Diane helped shape me into the person I am right now,” said Gibson. For Black, the people at Franklin made her career the most meaningful. One of many colleagues special to Black was mathematics and computing professor emerita and retired leadership center director Bonnie Pribush. The two worked together for 19 years, developing the leadership department and their now lifelong friendship. “The people that surround you and the people you work with at Franklin College keep you going. They’re genuinely concerned for you; the people that were colleagues became friends over time. Also, my students humbled me, they put me in my place and that’s OK. They taught me more than probably I taught them. I learned something from every student I ever had in class,” said Black. Two of Black’s fondest memories were winning the Faculty/Staff Service Award in 2001 and 2010. Black said she realized in those moments that her hard work was making a difference. In May 2016, she won the award for a third time, after being nominated by Stephanie Agba ’16, a chemistry major with a biology minor. In her nomination letter, Agba wrote about the guidance she received from Black during a time that was very difficult for her, stating: “ . . . She was one person who
Vanessa Farhar ’19 and Ron Schuetz
on Lynne’s positive experience and the teaching and learning opportunities available in an academic setting, Schuetz developed an interest in joining the college staff. “I was very much interested in higher education at that point, and it was the perfect opportunity for me to be involved in academic librarianship. I’ve always been interested in lifelong learning, and the college afforded a great opportunity to be a part of that, and to help young people develop in their journey,” said Schuetz. Initially beginning as the reference and instruction librarian, Schuetz went on to serve as the interim library director. He eventually transitioned Continued on Page 20
get a carbon copy for his successor, that’d be awesome.” In spite of his departure, Brailow is optimistic about what the college can accomplish. “I am excited about Franklin College’s future,” he said. “I see great possibilities ahead, and I’m confident that with its visionary leadership and a faculty and staff who are second to none, the college will fulfill its real potential in the years ahead.” ■
Summer 2016
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RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06
F A C U LT Y / S T A F F N O T E S
Steve Comiskey
Continued from Page 19
into the role full time. The college has flourished since Schuetz first joined the staff in 1985, after fires destroyed Old Main and Bryan Hall (now the site of Johnson Memorial and Dietz residence halls). “When I started in 1985, there was a lot of turmoil on campus; the library budget was not very good, and we didn’t have access to technology the way we do today,” explained Schuetz. “Everything was in print before, and students had to use indexes to find information. We had tables full of indexes. Finding information now is exponentially easier. Being a part of the growth and development has been really important and rewarding. ” Schuetz has been an integral part of improving the library and keeping it relevant to the students. The library now has several extensive online research databases, online interlibrary loan opportunities and a convoy of computers, including a Mac workstation for students, among several other advancements. In recent years, Schuetz and the other library staff members also substantially enriched the resources available for undergraduate research on campus, which was greatly appreciated by students such as Raphaela Mueller ’16.
20 F R A N K L I N C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E
Mueller pursued an independent major in Middle Eastern Culture and Conflict and a minor in Spanish and was admitted into an Ivy League graduate school, Harvard University. She was a work-study student for the library and reported to Schuetz. For Mueller, his leadership made the library a meaningful place to work and learn. “He made sure that the library operated smoothly. Thanks to Ron's hard work and flexibility and that of the team of supervisors, students have a library stocked full of amazing resources to use,” said Mueller. While Schuetz served on several college committees, helping select new faculty hires and bring about campus improvements, his work with the library and the students was by far his favorite way to serve the college. “It was great to be able to provide information and to work with students directly. It was very rewarding to see students come to campus, kind of tentative, and develop into leaders and scholars,” said Schuetz. Seeing students grow and achieve their goals inspired Schuetz. “I dealt with students from varied backgrounds and saw them cope with a lot of things in their lives and, in spite of that hardship, come through it and move on to do great things, and that really impacted my life,” said Schuetz. Two of Schuetz’s three children graduated from Franklin College, Daniel ’97 and Benjamin ’09. The college hosts an annual soccer tournament in memory of Daniel, who passed away unexpectedly in 2013. He had been a member of the college soccer team and served as president of the booster club after his graduation. As Schuetz transitions into retirement, he hopes to allocate more free time to meditating, roasting custom coffee blends and catching up on home projects. He enjoys the challenge of learning new things and will integrate lifelong learning into his lifestyle while enjoying all that retirement has to offer.
Finding new direction Instructor of Speech and Interim Director of The Write Place Steve Comiskey joined the college faculty part time in 2006. Prior to that, Comiskey worked as a high school teacher, then as an adjunct professor, floating between Indiana University-Purdue University’s Indianapolis and Columbus campuses. After one year of adjunct teaching at Franklin, he was extended a full-time offer, which came at just the right time, he said. “I love everything about Franklin College; I really do. I love the faculty because they are good people, and they have the kids’ best interest in mind. They’re hard-working and helpful to each other. “And, I like the staff; they’re terrific, and I like the administration. When I started working at Franklin, I was like ‘Dang! I like these folks. These are good peeps!’ But, the bottom line was I fell in love with the kids at Franklin College; they’re wonderful human beings to spend time with,” said Comiskey. Comiskey primarily taught liberal arts courses for freshmen and new students during his years at Franklin. He appreciated the chance to help new students transition from high school to college and to impart some wisdom to help them not only academically but personally. He explained, “Learning, school and fun are not mutually exclusive of one another. I think school can and should be fun. I like to have a good time, and I tried to show that to my students; I tried to show them that I was enthusiastic because I enjoyed my career and they should start enjoying what they’re doing too. “I want them to love what they do, live in the moment and have fun,” he said. Theatre major and sociology minor Kelsey Stouse ’16 took two classes with Comiskey her freshman year, and the experiences were life-altering. “He kept me entertained and engaged in the material. I really www.FranklinCollege.edu
www.FranklinCollege.edu
Comiskey collaborated with several faculty colleagues to revamp its environment and services in recent years. “I got to know a lot of kids that I never had in class because of The Write Place. I will miss it,” he said. Another highlight of his career was winning the Franklin College Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award for his dedication to his work and students. For Comiskey, volunteering is the perfect segue into retirement. He plans to continue volunteering with The Write Place, which will help him stay involved in the college community. He also hopes to get involved in other volunteer opportunities, such as helping at the Lilly Library in Bloomington, Ind., and teaching reading and writing to non-native English speakers who live in Indiana. Growing with students Associate Professor of Education Beth Moore, Ed.D., found opportunities for personal and professional growth at Franklin College. Prior to joining the college, Moore was a teacher for 25 years with the Clark-Pleasant Community School Corp. in Whiteland, Ind. Over the course of her career, she welcomed many student-teachers from Franklin College into her classroom and helped contribute to their professional development. Through that experience and having close friends who attended the college, she became familiar with its education department and its faculty and staff, all of which impressed her. “I believed in the quality of the education program,” recalled Moore. “And it has been an honor to teach at FC.” She began working as an adjunct faculty member in 2004 and transitioned into a full-time position in 2005. Although Moore was a veteran teacher prior to joining the college faculty, the education department helped her continue growing as an educator. “I view myself as an educator in today’s world, not just a teacher. Being an educator involves more than merely delivering content knowledge. As an educator, I have been motivated to
create interest in course content by providing engaging learning experiences. My personal goal as an educator has always been to help students develop a love for learning that they can share with others,” said Moore. Moore taught a wide variety of Franklin education classes, ranging from Childhood Development and Education Psychology to Fine Arts for Elementary Teachers. She also possesses an endorsement from Purdue University to teach gifted and talented programs. Beyond teaching, she enjoyed being involved with field experiences and internships for education majors. “I've enjoyed all the courses I’ve taught, but especially Professional Development. The students in these classes are preparing to student-teach and embark upon a career educating others. It’s rewarding as a professor to see how they have grown professionally and the excitement generated as they have reached a milestone in their college career,” said Moore. In reflecting on her career, Moore could not pick just one favorite memory. Continued on Page 40 RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06
looked up to him. He always had an anecdote, and it made him so relatable. I loved his teaching style so much that after one class I sought another one of his classes the following semester.” Beyond the classroom, Comiskey served as an adviser and collaborated on several faculty/staff committees. “I also did academic advising the last five or six years; I absolutely got a kick out of that. I usually advised the ‘undecideds,’ the kids who were really frustrated because they didn’t know what they wanted to do with their lives. It was perfect for me because I empathized with what they were going through,” he said. Stouse is one student that benefited from Comiskey’s guidance. “He cared. He wanted students to succeed; he wanted everyone to do well in his class, and he was willing to give extra help. I always hated writing papers in high school, but after taking his classes I realized it was because I didn't know how to do it right. He was truly a blessing to have freshman year, and I don't think I could ever thank him enough for helping set me up for success,” said Stouse. While Comiskey’s focus was on making meaningful professional contributions, he discovered the college community was giving him motivation and encouragement in return. “In a lot of ways Franklin saved my life. I was in a very dark place in 2004, because I lost my daughter (a man high on drugs crashed into her car). Losing Kate was the worst thing that’s ever happened in my life. I was emotionally floundering, and I didn’t know what I would do. It turns out, that at Franklin, I got stronger and stronger with the more kids I met. So, the kids don’t know this, but they saved my life in many ways,” said Comiskey. Another facet of the college community that Comiskey greatly enjoyed was volunteering at The Write Place, a mentoring center for students seeking help during the writing process.
Beth Moore
Summer 2016
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ATHLETICS
Above: Morgan Burch ’18 became the first softball player in Franklin College Division III history to hit for the cycle.
PHOTOS BY RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06
Right: Hannah Grow ’17 fires a shot in the women’s lacrosse team’s season-opening victory against the University of Dallas.
22 F R A N K L I N C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E
www.FranklinCollege.edu
Spring athletic season in review By Dale Long Sports Information Director
The spring athletic season gave the Grizzlies plenty of reasons to roar with pride: A softball team that achieved a college record of 25 wins in a single season and the first recorded softball player in Franklin College Division III history to hit for the cycle. The men’s tennis team qualified for the HCAC tournament, and the men’s golf team won two tournaments. The women’s track and field team recorded nine top-five finishes at a league championship meet, and the women’s lacrosse team had a strong second season, doubling the wins earned in the inaugural season debut of the sport at Franklin College. Keep reading for more season highlights. Softball It was a standout season for the Grizzlies softball team, which achieved a college record of 25 wins and had six players named to the national weekly honor roll. The team qualified for postseason play for the second time in the last four seasons and finished in third place in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) with a 9–7 league record. Franklin College split a doubleheader against DePauw University — a team that reached the 2015 NCAA Division III World Series. The Grizzlies also recorded a dramatic 9–8 win in nine innings during the HCAC tournament against regular-season champion Transylvania University. Outfielder Katie Struewing ’16 joined outfielder Megan Lalioff ’17 and pitcher Olivia Paszek ’18 in twice earning a spot on the Louisville Slugger National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s honor roll. Infielders Jeana Gregory ’17 and Grace Paszek ’18 and outfielder Morgan Burch ’18 rounded out the national honorees. Six players received postseason All-HCAC accolades, including four first-team honorees, designated player Savannah Blevins ’17, Struewing, Lalioff and Olivia Paszek ’18. Burch received honorable mention all-conference honors, while infielder Jasmine Hanna ’17 was named to the HCAC’s All-Sportsmanship team. www.FranklinCollege.edu
Struewing, Lalioff and Blevins also were recognized for their strong play during the 2016 season with a spot on the All-Central Region team by the NFCA. During a road game at Berea College, Burch became the first softball player in Franklin College Division III history to hit for the cycle, batting a single, double, triple and home run hit all during the same game. She accomplished the feat while leading the Grizzlies to a 16–5 triumph on March 28. Women’s Lacrosse The youngest intercollegiate sports program at Franklin has enjoyed many successes during its two-season livelihood. The women’s lacrosse team posted a 6–6 record and finished fifth in the Ohio River Women’s Lacrosse Conference (ORWLC) with a 4–4 mark this spring. Franklin’s six victories are the most recorded in a season, topping the three match triumphs in the program’s inaugural campaign of 2015. Franklin allowed a programbest two goals during a home victory against Trine University on March 19. The team opened conference play with a pair of road victories, defeating Hanover College 11-10 before earning an overtime win against Thiel College. Franklin also recorded league victories against Waynesburg College and Thomas More College. Summer 2016
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ATHLETICS
MIKE LANKE
Jack Knue ’17 placed fifth at the Rose-Hulman Invitational, and the men’s golf team won the team title in the spring season.
KELLY MARCELO ’17
Midfielder Hannah Grow ’17 recorded first-team All-ORWLC accolades after scoring 28 goals and adding 12 assists. She led the Grizzlies with 40 points during the 2016 season. Midfielder Paige Clark ’16 and midfielder Lexi Ingram ’17 received second-team all-conference honors. Clark achieved a team high of 37 draws and picked up 21 ground balls. Ingram scored a team high 34 goals, highlighted by a single-game college record of seven goals against Transylvania University. Attacking player Carley Campbell ’16 rounded out the honorees by earning a spot on the ORWLC’s AllSportsmanship team. Ethan Caldwell ’17 (left) and Alex Hammer ’18 (right) earned first-team All-HCAC accolades after posting a 10-5 doubles record.
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Men’s Tennis Winning five of six matches in April helped Franklin’s men’s tennis team qualify for the HCAC tournament. The Grizzlies placed fifth in the conference with a 4–4 league record. The team started the strong April stretch with a road triumph against Manchester University followed by a 9–0 road win against Mount St. Joseph University a few days later. www.FranklinCollege.edu
LINDA STRIGGO
Jordan Clark ’19 led the Grizzlies in home runs, batting average and runs batted during his freshman campaign.
Kasey King ’16 (left) hands the baton to Kayla Stamm ’19 (right) during a relay race at the 2016 Indiana Division III Track and Field Championships.
Franklin won its third match in April with a 6–3 home victory against Anderson University. A 9–0 win against Defiance College concluded the strong play and clinched a postseason berth. Ethan Caldwell ’17 and Alex Hammer ’18 earned first-team allconference honors. The duo posted a 10–5 doubles record on the No. 1 court. They also had a 7–8 record in singles action, holding the top-two positions. Kyle Sauley ’18 received honorable mention All-HCAC accolades after combining to win seven matches between doubles and singles. Nathan Beasley ’18 was selected to the conference’s All-Sportsmanship team. Men’s Golf The Franklin’s men’s golf team won two tournaments and recorded eight top-five finishes between the fall and spring seasons. The Grizzlies took top honors at the Wabash Invitational during the fall and won the Rose-Hulman Invitational in late March. The team also had a runner-up finish at the program’s annual Dick Park www.FranklinCollege.edu
Invitational during the fall campaign. Franklin placed third at the DePauw Invitational in the spring opener and added a fourth-place finish at the Hanover Invitational in April. Jacob Hash ’19 earned HCAC Player of the Week honors following the DePauw Invitational. Teammate Sam Godby ’18 tied for second place at the Rose-Hulman Invitational, and Jack Knue ’17 recorded a fifth-place finish at the same event. Baseball Six Franklin baseball players received All-HCAC accolades, led by outfielder Jordan Clark ’19 earning first-team honors. Pitcher Hayden Cleveland ’16, pitcher Jacob McMain ’17, infielder Frank Podkul ’18 and pitcher Christian Sullivan ’18 were named to the HCAC’s honorablemention team. Joe Ardizzone ’17 received All-HCAC Sportsmanship team honors during the 2016 season. The Grizzlies played some entertaining games, highlighted by a 21–18 victory against Earlham College on April 2 when Franklin scored 13 runs during the fourth inning. Later in the season, Sullivan tossed a two-hit
shutout against Transylvania University to open the league’s 27-game schedule. Designated hitter Drew Naumovich ’19 tied a single-game college record with six hits during the team’s 18–8 road win against Manchester University. He went 6-for-6 in the contest. His six hits also tied for the most in a single game by a player at the NCAA Division III level in the 2016 campaign. Women’s Track and Field Franklin recorded a fourth-place finish at the 2016 HCAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Bluffton University. The Grizzlies’ 4-x-400 meter relay team won the event. Overall, the women’s team recorded nine top-five finishes at the league championship meet. Kasey King ’16 had a runner-up finish in the 400meter hurdles and also placed second in the javelin throw. Erica Christy ’17 took runner-up honors in the shot put. Ashley Myers ’16 placed third in the 1,500-meter run before adding a fourth-place finish in the 800-meter run. Myers also won the 800-meter run and mile events during the 2016 Summer 2016
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ATHLETICS
HCAC Indoor Track and Field Championships at Defiance College in February. (The Grizzlies placed fifth overall at the same indoor meet.) Emily Young ’16 tallied a fourth-place finish in the triple jump and had a total of three top-eight performances at the outdoor league meet. The Franklin women’s team had a second-place finish at the Tiger Small College Invitational at DePauw during the indoor track season. Franklin also had a runner-up finish at Anderson in the team’s second outdoor meet of the season. Franklin recorded a thirdplace finish at the DePauw Invitational in February. Men’s Track and Field Franklin’s men’s track and field team recorded three top-five finishes during the indoor and outdoor seasons. The Grizzlies had a seasonbest third-place performance at
Jon Frederick ’18 clears the bar in the high jump while competing at the Division III Track and Field Championships.
Anderson in the second outdoor meet this spring. Franklin had a fifth-place finish during the Friday Night Invitational at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and at the Tiger Small College Invitational at DePauw. Both invitationals occurred during the indoor season. The Franklin men’s team finished in sixth place at the HCAC Indoor
and Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Eric Thompson ’16 recorded a pair of top-five finishes at the league’s outdoor meet. He placed third in the 1,500-meter run and added a fifth-place finish in the 800-meter run. Jon Frederick ’18 had a third-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles race. ■
DALE LONG
A banner of their own For reasons unknown, an achievement in Franklin College men’s basketball history was overlooked for many years. Recently, the matter was remedied, and the ’55 Hoosier College Conference champions were recognized with a banner in Spurlock Center. Franklin College Director of Athletics and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Kerry Prather explained that the omission was brought to his attention after he produced a brochure that included a section on men’s basketball history. After he circulated the brochure, an alumnus sent him a note indicating that a champion season might have been overlooked, so he researched the matter. “When my research confirmed the championship, I fixed the brochure, then realized that meant the team also was never properly recognized with a banner in the gym,” said Prather. “I wanted to make that right, albeit all these years later. I don’t honestly know how or why this championship went unrecognized so long, but I’m very glad we have remedied that oversight. More importantly, the alumni who played on that team are recognized in the way they deserve.” The ’55 Grizzlies, coached by Harold Hickman, posted an 8–4 league record and faced Evansville (Ind.) in the tournament. That same season Franklin earned notable victories against Indiana State, Bellarmine University (Ky.) and Indiana Central College (now UIndy) as well as two triumphs over Hanover College. The Grizzlies concluded the regular season by winning seven of their final nine contests. Overall, the team finished with a 12–12 record. Team members included Dick Fisher ’56, James “Jim” Gabbard ’58, Joe Lain ’57, Albert “Kent” Martin ’56, James “Jim” Orlosky ’56, Charles “Chas” Rowan ’55, M.D., Phil Ruffalo ’57, M.D., Elmer Strautman ’57, Billie Max Wertz ’54 and Gene White ’58. ■
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www.FranklinCollege.edu
SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT
Grant helps duck researchers band together By Amy (Kean) VerSteeg ’96 Editor
RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06
With a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program in partnership with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, associate professor of biology Benjamin O’Neal, Ph.D., and eight of his students, are leading research efforts to learn more about mallard ducks living in urban environments in Illinois and Indiana. Their findings could impact future state department of natural resources’ decisions on species conservation and land preservation, potentially affecting generations of individuals nationwide. O’Neal’s research colleagues include Elizabeth (Hendershot) Barker ’16, Seth Eckert ’17, Wanda Gaines ’16, Amber Hambach ’17, Andrew Kammerer ’16, Hannah McIntosh ’18, Jesse Street ’18 and Kayanna Wolter ’17. According to O’Neal, more than 50 percent of ducks hatch in a discrete area of the United States and Canada deemed by scientists as the Prairie
Pothole Region. The region is marked by glacier activity that left behind thousands of land depressions, or potholes, that fill with water during the spring rains and winter snow melts. While these wetlands have historically served as a home to most ducks, the quality and quantity of nesting habitat there is declining. Simultaneously, the amount of aquatic habitat in other areas such as Indiana has been increasing. Retention ponds in housing communities and industrial complexes provide the majority of duck habitat in many parts of the Midwest. Because these new aquatic areas are primarily within human-dominated landscapes, few studies have examined the biology of the wildlife that exist within them. The changes in habitat over recent decades raise important questions about the ecological roles of ducks as predators and prey as well as their function in cycling nutrients and helping disperse native plant populations. The importance of ducks extends even beyond the environment, explained O’Neal.
Benjamin O’Neil, Seth Eckert ’17 and Andrew Kammerer ’16
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“Ducks bring great value to human communities and can help us look more deeply at larger issues such as farm production, hunting and conservation, disease control and sustainability of wildlife. This project involving Franklin College students offers a wonderful opportunity to help educate the public about the value of wildlife in areas where humans and wildlife intersect. The data we gather along the way will enable federal and state agencies to make informed management decisions affecting humans, wildlife and the environment as a whole,” said O’Neal. Since spring O’Neal and the students have captured and banded 600 ducks across seven counties, recording biometric information and posting it to a federal database that can be accessed by scientists nationwide. As these leg bands are returned in coming years by other researchers and hunters, the team will be able to gain novel insights into the migration and survival of the suburban segment of the mallard population. Students have been involved in every step of the research process, from designing and building traps to operating wildlife surveillance cameras and GPS equipment, to cold-calling land and business owners to request access to their property and analyzing data and statistics. Throughout their research, O’Neal and his students also have collaborated with disease ecologists to check for the presence and distribution of avian influenza throughout the region. Future activities will engage students in co-authoring reports for scientific research journals and presenting at conferences and community events, said O’Neal. He estimated the first phase of research will wrap up this winter and is hopeful that additional funding from external resources will allow research to continue for additional years beyond that. ■
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SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT
Internships take researcher where the wild things are By Mia Taskey ’16 Pulliam Fellow
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Witnessing humpback whales migrating in Hawaii and sea turtles hatching in Costa Rica may seem like a dream for wildlife enthusiasts, but for Max Larreur ’15 these awe-inspiring moments are reality. Larreur majored in biology, specializing in the ecology and conservation Max Larreur ’15 and his research colleagues work to free a sea turtle from a fishing net so they can collect biometric data.
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track, with a minor in chemistry while at Franklin College. He also was highly involved on campus. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, Chi Beta Phi national science honorary society and the football team for two years. Though his life on campus was busy, Larreur found ways to make his college experience even more productive and meaningful through a series of internships.
As a sophomore, he earned his first internship with the Ocean Mammal Institute in Hawaii, where he was part of a research team that documented the effects of boat traffic noise on humpback whales. “We were out in the field every day for a month, tracking pods of whales and recording tons of data. The experience definitely helped me realize how much I love field work, and that I really want to make it my career,” recalled Larreur. After one internship, Larreur was hooked on earning more and gaining additional field experience. Through an opportunity facilitated by Franklin associate professor of biology Ben O’Neal, Ph.D., Larreur interned as a research technician with the Forbes Biological Station in Illinois, where he observed, tracked and documented data on birds in the wetlands. After that, he landed a third internship, this time with the Turtle-Trax branch of Programa Restauraciûn de Tortugas Marinas (PRETOMA), a marine conservation and research organization working to protect ocean resources and promote sustainable fishery policies in Costa Rica and Central America. Larreur was part of a research team assigned to monitor Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula for nesting sea turtles. Upon discovery, the team transported sea turtle eggs to an enclosure that protected them from poachers. Larreur’s duties included tagging the sea turtles and collecting their biometric data; their shell measurements made it possible to determine their age and correlating level of health. The work was rewarding, especially after Larreur learned the full impact of the research efforts. “I got a report from my coordinator when the season ended in December, and we drastically reduced the amount www.FranklinCollege.edu
Max Larreur ’15 conducts a shorebird survey in Estero Santa Cruz, Calif., a wetland deemed of international importance under the U.N. Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The wetland is a migratory corridor for many North American shorebirds.
“. . . My professors never gave up on me or said no when I asked for help. The professors and all the opportunities I had at Franklin College helped me realize at the end of four years that I was ready for whatever comes next, and adulthood isn’t so scary.” of nests poached and preyed upon while increasing the amount of successful nests and sea turtle hatchlings making it to the ocean,” Larreur said. Upon graduating from Franklin, Larreur took a gap year to pursue his fourth internship, this time with the Mexico-based Prescott College Kino Bay Center for Cultural and Ecological Studies. Larreur explained that he took the internship to strengthen his marketability among top graduate school programs and to learn more about fields of specialization within wildlife biology. The current internship has Larreur stationed in Sonora, Mexico, working on various water bird research projects in which he studies nesting success and population density. Larreur is excited that he also is leading an independent research project involving ospreys along the Gulf of California. “This internship has helped tremendously in terms of preparing me for graduate school and expanding my knowledge of different field techniques. I’ve also learned skills www.FranklinCollege.edu
in areas other than field research, which opened my eyes to other research opportunities that I greatly enjoy and can be helpful in,” said Larreur. After these amazing opportunities, Larreur is ready to pursue the next chapter in his career and attend graduate school at Kansas State University. Though he has achieved much on his own, Larreur said he is forever grateful for the support he received at Franklin. “My most influential professors at FC were without a doubt Drs. Ben O’Neal and Alice Heikens (biology faculty). They both have been key people in my career and in helping me prepare for the many experiences I’ve had over the past couple years. I have no way of showing how truly grateful I am for all their help, but I attribute all the success in my undergraduate research career to them. I couldn’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done for me,” Larreur said. His education, hard work and internships have set him up for success in his dream career in
traveling the world and working with wildlife. “The reason wildlife matters to me is because we wouldn’t be alive without it. It plays such an important role in our lives, and some people never open their eyes to see it. Some people don't know that it’s dying more and more every day. I want to help protect it so maybe those people will one day be able to see how amazing the environment and our ecosystem are. I'm motivated by wildlife because I want to see it thrive again,” said Larreur. If that means heading far and away to where the wild things are, then Larreur is ready. “The close connections I had with all my professors were what allowed me to have such a great college experience. My professors never gave up on me or said no when I asked for help. The professors and all the opportunities I had at Franklin College helped me realize at the end of four years that I was ready for whatever comes next, and adulthood isn’t so scary,” said Larreur. ■
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AMY (KEAN) VERSTEEG ’96
SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT
Flavor inventor Sheila Moore ’76 engaged Franklin College students in a waffle taste-test. Afterward, she put the class on speaker phone with her manufacturing partner to share their top choice, her red (beet) waffles.
Variety, the spice of a flavor inventor’s life By Amy (Kean) VerSteeg ’96 Editor
A Franklin chemistry professor, the late Tom Hodge, used to reprimand Sheila Moore ’76 for tasting the chemicals she handled during class experiments. He warned her of the risks, but Moore used taste as a way of memorizing and recalling each chemical’s distinct properties. It was a process she developed instinctually and one that carried over to her graduate school studies at Miami of Ohio University, where another observant professor told her she should consider a career in the then-mysterious “flavor world.” “I didn’t even know the flavor world existed,” recalled Moore. “I don’t think a lot of chemists know about it even today, but it’s a highly technical, lucrative industry with several thousand employees worldwide and several hundred in the U.S.” Those who work in the flavor world focus on helping food and beverage manufacturers customize the taste of their products and also may be involved in manipulating the texture, appearance and aroma. When Moore pursued her chemistry degree in the ’70s, there were few other women taking the same college
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courses and none working in research and development at her first employer. Most women were hired for secretarial positions, and that’s how she got her foot in the door. “In my early career. I was everybody’s daughter, sister or granddaughter. They were more inclined to try and hug me or touch my hair than trade a handshake,” recalled Moore. Occasionally, she thought back to her tutelage under Hodge at Franklin for encouragement. “His classes were demanding, and sometimes I thought he was pushing too hard, but later I realized he helped teach me how to approach my work with logic and persistence and to speak up,” said Moore. All of the hard lessons paid off at her first job. She was promoted from sales to project management within six months after demonstrating her knack for meeting clients’ product expectations. The promotion enabled her involvement in making food dyes for Kool-Aid and JELL-O. “My science background was very helpful in sales because I understood what kind of technical questions to ask our clients about their wants and needs and knew how to relay that information back to the R&D (research and development) people.
I could speak both of their languages,” recalled Moore. An important distinction between flavor sellers like Moore and sales people in some other industries is that rather than commodities they offer intellectual property. “I pilot and pitch ideas to clients,” said Moore. During phase one, clients have the chance to accept or modify the idea; phase two usually involves taste-testing. There’s always a risk that Moore’s ideas could be stolen so clients must sign secrecy agreements. If a concept succeeds in phase two, Moore stays involved in marketing, research and development work but relies on a contract packer to manage production and quality control. Several of Moore’s flavor inventions have catapulted mainstream products you may recognize. They include Bubble Tape Bubble Gum, Go-Gurt freeze and thaw yogurt, Gatorade Orange, Newman’s Own salad dressings and McDonald’s Cinnamon Melts. She also was part of a Kraft Foods team involved in creating the first-ever six-packs of yogurt to hit the marketplace and in launching fat-free ice creams and salad dressings. In spite of the lengthy list of highprofile accomplishments, Moore said her proudest achievement is starting www.FranklinCollege.edu
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one of his classes. Moore used the opportunity to engage the students in a blind taste-test. The students documented their opinions about the flavor, texture and color of her product vs. current popular brands. “The results were similar to other taste-tests,” said Moore. “The students favored my beet waffles for taste and texture.” She noted that in taste-tests at various other locations, children most often chose the red waffles over any other possible colors. While Moore has finished significant work on her product invention, she remains busy with production details, including collaborating with a manufacturer on two versions of the waffle and partnering with another manufacturer on a snack-cake product. Her involvement also includes finding sources for the best flour at the best prices, building partnerships with beet growers, determining the most cost-effective ways to transport the product and on the list goes. Networking is a key to the success of her business.
“I value intelligence in people. I try to build relationships with people who know more about specific subjects than I do. I belong to several key organizations in the food industry. I also read numerous trade journals and take leadership courses online,” said Moore. She also reaches out to chefs at restaurant chains and asks to talk with them about trends and observations. “I think of myself as a wheel radiating with spokes, and I seek to find new spokes in niche areas that can help make all the parts of the whole even stronger,” said Moore. She added, “Having a liberal arts background brings balance to my career; it gives me an ability to see things from multiple perspectives, which is so important in the business world. On a personal level, it helps me understand how history recycles itself and impacts politics, religion and social issues around the world. The liberal arts help us understand all the parts and how they correlate to the big pictures.” ■
Did you know that National Waffle Day is Aug. 24? On this date in 1869, the U.S. patent for the home waffle iron was awarded to Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, N.Y.
Summer 2016
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her own business, Moore’s Food Resources, L.L.C., of which she is president and owner since 1997. For most of its history, her company’s focus has been on securing new product development contracts with food manufacturers, but this year marks a new milestone as she prepares to roll out her own line of frozen foods, beginning with waffles made from beets. You won’t see these waffles at your local grocery store; they’re made for the food-service industry. That means Moore’s waffles will show up on restaurant menus across the nation; they may be offered as breakfast fare or desserts, depending on the restaurant’s needs. She is working to get her line of waffles trademarked and copyrighted to bear her company name, but consumers will likely have no idea who made them. “It’s standard for products that restaurants use to be packaged simply, in boxes with a best-by date, lot number, product weight and ingredient list. Food-service providers don’t want their competitors to know where their products are purchased,” explained Moore. What consumers should notice, however, is the waffles’ distinct red color, thanks to beets, the main ingredient. Her waffles have been three years in the making and contain fewer than 10 ingredients; Moore made a strong effort to create a farm-to-table product. “Restaurant chains are changing to more foods made from sustainable ingredients, and that’s because millenials are driving it. They demand the best quality with the least harm to the environment and animals,” said Moore. “And, that’s always been important to me.” Given the impact of millenials on the industry, Moore was delighted when Franklin sociology professor Jason Jimerson, Ph.D., whom she met at a Grizzlies’ alumni event in her hometown Chicago, invited her to speak about her career this spring to
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SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT
Blending the culinary arts and food science By Amy (Kean) VerSteeg ’96 Editor
If you’ve ever dined at a national chain restaurant, ordered food at a ballpark or grabbed a fresh prepackaged meal from a grocery store deli, you’ve likely tasted work by Joe Kuechenmeister ’99. Kuechenmeister is employed with Griffith Foods, a food ingredient manufacturer in Chicago. His role as a corporate executive chef involves traveling the world to sample international cuisine, spot trends, reinvent what he sees and tastes, and pitch ideas to conglomerates seeking the next “big thing” in food. After he successfully sells an idea, he heads into a test-kitchen to modify his recipes to safely feed the masses. It’s his dream career, but it’s not the path he imagined as a college freshman. “I was always a science nerd, so I gravitated toward a biology major in college. I had grandiose dreams of going to medical school, but, by junior year, I realized I had another love — cooking,” said Kuechenmeister. The Cincinnati native worked during high school at a fine-dining restaurant in his hometown and enjoyed the atmosphere. When he started college he needed an income so he looked for another restaurant job and happened upon an establishment in Franklin that reminded him of the restaurant back home. Over the years he advanced from washing dishes, to overseeing the appetizer station, to running the grill and eventually managing the whole kitchen. “Everything just clicked for me. I went through my college commencement ceremony knowing I was heading next to culinary school, but, at that point, everything I knew about cooking and restaurants I had learned on the job. I realized I needed to be formally trained if I was going to become a professional chef,” he said.
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With encouragement from his family, Kuechenmeister took a gap year to work and save money prior to enrolling at the Culinary Institute of America in New York. He likened the experience of culinary school and working in a thriving kitchen to the TV show “Hell’s Kitchen.” “What you see on TV is the tame version of what happens in an actual kitchen. I’ve been yelled at and belittled in front of my peers, but everyone else has as well. You learn to respect the harsh, honest criticism
He spent seven years with Gourmet Boutique as a research and development chef where he specialized in developing ready-to-eat fresh meals offered in national grocery store chains. In 2013, he transitioned to Griffith Laboratories as a liquids research chef, giving him the chance to invent coatings, marinades and sauce systems for fresh and frozen foods. In 2015, he advanced to his current role as corporate executive chef with Griffith Foods, part of the same corporation.
“Chemistry and biology are integral to food development because food is a living thing . . . ” because you eventually recognize it’s what makes you really good at the job. True chefs can learn and grow in those difficult moments. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart,” he said. After culinary school, Kuechenmeister landed a position at the Atelier restaurant in The Ritz-Carlton Hotel at Central Park, where he worked for two years, before moving on to the Merrill Lynch Executive Dining Room in the World Financial Center. There he was the executive sous chef for top executives and board members. He was faced with the challenge of creating a menu that changed daily, and he oversaw all operations of the private dining area. He’d been at the job for three years and was nearing burnout when a friend mentioned an opening for a research and development chef at another venue. It turned out to be Kuechenmeister’s big break. “Making the transition from restaurant chef to research and development chef has been life-changing,” said Kuechenmeister. “I’m extremely lucky that I still get to cook, but I work normal hours that usually don’t involve all the crazy nights, weekends and holidays. It’s the unicorn job of the chef industry,” he said.
His energy is focused on helping national clients take a food-product idea from concept to market — safely. “Food safety is always the number one priority. Once we tackle the safety aspect, we also have to make it taste delicious and look appealing,” said Kuechenmeister. Water activity, pH, acidity levels, bacterial load, atmosphere, packaging materials and consumer environment are all variables he must consider, test and modify for every product rollout. “I would have never been hired to do R&D without a biology degree. Science is the bedrock of what I do. Chemistry and biology are integral to food development because food is a living thing, and people don’t tend to realize that,” he said. Blending the culinary arts with food science is a challenge Kuechenmeister relishes. “It’s about taking a gold-standard dish I would make in a restaurant — for example, a two-pound recipe of beef bourguignon, and then figuring out how to make 40,000 pounds of it while retaining the same quality parameters set at the beginning. You can’t just take the ingredients and multiply them. You must use science www.FranklinCollege.edu
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Joe Kuechenmeister ’99 is one of approximately 90 certified research chefs working worldwide. He blends the culinary arts with food science to ensure the public has safe and delicious food.
to determine how every bite of the food will look and taste while retaining the same consistency, whether it’s eaten on day one or day five. Food safety exceptions or quality deviations are unacceptable,” he said. In March, Kuechenmeister built upon his culinary training and science background by attaining credentials as a certified research chef; only about 90 people worldwide have earned the designation, according to the Research Chefs Association®. When Kuechenmeister is not working in test-kitchens, he’s traveling and eating his way through different cultures for inspiration to pitch clients. “I go out to eat a lot to stay on top of my game. I want to know who has the hottest food truck in whatever town I’m visiting, the latest and greatest on the food blogs and what’s trending on social media. I have to figure out how to take a simple idea and turn it on its head to get ahead of what people are doing now. I’m always thinking about what flavors are going to be hot a year and a half from now. It’s a bit like fortune telling,” he said. Predicting the next big thing in food is incredibly challenging. Kuechenmeister said, “About 95 percent of what I do fails. Projects can get killed during the initial concept pitch, midway during consumer testing or at the final launch, after you’ve been working on it for eight months. There are a lot of factors that can influence a product’s failure or success. I’ve had to learn to accept failure and stay focused. “This career is the best case scenario for me. I get to feed the country on a daily basis, setting the trends instead of following them. It’s an awesome, unique undertaking that I’m grateful to have. I’m very lucky Franklin College helped prepare me with the knowledge I bring to the table.” ■
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ALUMNI NEWS
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Moral of the story By Ann Kish Website Administrator
Blake Wareham ’13 researches moral psychology — how people make ethical judgments and how emotional experiences influence people’s decision-making, perceptions and moral identity. He currently is pursuing a doctorate in experimental psychology with an emphasis in social psychology at DePaul University in Chicago. Looking ahead, Wareham anticipates a career researching and teaching upon graduation. Wareham is focused on learning why people do what they do — and developing the research methods to accurately study and measure their behavior. In his graduate program, he tests humans through surveys and hypothetical responses. The work is necessarily interdisciplinary, drawing on both the empirical resources of the human sciences and the conceptual resources of philosophical ethics. Results can help shed light on what educational and policy interventions may facilitate good conduct and improve bad conduct in a society. Currently, he and colleagues work together in a lab documenting results that oftentimes are published in peer-review scientific journals. Wareham started at Franklin intending to major in business and minor in recreation but changed majors after becoming deeply interested in experimental psychology his junior year. He cites Franklin’s Experimental Psychology course as pivotal in introducing him to the research methods he now uses in graduate school. “My psychology classes were primarily information-driven, giving me a solid base of information, but what I benefited from the most was discussing what was relevant and connected between ideas.
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Blake Wareham ’13 is pursuing a doctorate in experimental psychology at DePaul University in Chicago.
“I used to sit in Dr. Kristin Flora’s (associate professor of psychology) office and talk about research ideas. Although my ideas weren’t always very good, I learned to discuss them with others and how to develop them.” Small class sizes helped develop his confidence by challenging him to fully learn material and voice his ideas. Learning how to think critically and write proficiently as a result of the college’s liberal arts curriculum have facilitated his present research. “I have less weight on my shoulders (than peers) because of my writing competency. I am comfortable sitting down and synthesizing research through communication, not to mention better at analyzing what I read and hear.” He added that his liberal arts background has “translated into improved interpersonal relationships with colleagues and facilitated teamwork” because of his ability to see other perspectives. Wareham also learned valuable skills in collaboration and teamwork through the college’s diverse campus organizations that enabled him to be
active in the men’s tennis program, Student Foundation, Alpha Society (academic honorary), Psi Chi (psychology honorary society) and Phi Delta Theta fraternity. “In a large school, I may have looked for others just like me, with the same interests and backgrounds. At Franklin, I knew a wider range of people and in a variety of contexts, and they knew me. I didn’t just stay in a niche, and that was good,” he said. Wareham truly broadened his worldview when he studied in Bangkok, Thailand, during his senior year, as part of Franklin’s Global Education Program. “Going to Thailand changed my perceptions of people and the world.” After graduating from Franklin, Wareham volunteered in Indianapolis at Riley Hospital for Children, observing therapies for autism and acting as a research support specialist. During his “gap year,” he also worked on the East Coast as an instructor for The Tennis Academy at Harvard University. Wareham said, “Franklin College can help you prepare for a lifetime of learning and exploration.” ■ www.FranklinCollege.edu
Fighting for fairness at work By Ann Kish
Düzer also engaged in volunteer experiences through Franklin College. His international outreach included helping teach English classes for middle-school students in El Salvador. At a local level, Düzer was an AmeriCorps volunteer in Franklin at Youth Connections, a child-advocacy organization, where he did research on youth homelessness and helped draft grant proposals. Sports had been important to Düzer in high school, and he played soccer during each of his four years at Franklin. He was grateful for the chance to offset academic rigor with the fellowship found in athletics. In addition to soccer, Düzer was a founding member of Franklin College’s Latino Advocacy and Awareness Association (FCLA3). His involvement included participating in an immigration reform rally in addition to coordinating significant events on campus with the goal of generating cultural awareness. After graduating from Franklin, Düzer attended graduate school in Kassel, Germany, pursuing a master’s degree in global political economy. “Grad school emphasized discussions and presentations. I felt confident to present and write due to the solid background I had from
Website Administrator
www.FranklinCollege.edu
The Fight for 15 Rally in Chicago on April 15, 2015, received support from Gönül Düzer (spouse), John Montgomery ’18 and Matt Düzer ’11.
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Matt Düzer ’11 is a union organizer residing in Chicago, helping empower workers to address challenges they face at work. His goal is to help democratize the workplace so that workers are able to make improvements in their working conditions. He continues to benefit from the Franklin liberal arts experience. “My political science classes taught me not only about law and governance but how to have productive discussions around contentious issues,” he said. “I arrived at Franklin most familiar with the Spanish program, but my strategy soon turned into taking a variety of other kinds of classes where I also had interest. As a result, I found that I was building toward a second major in political science.” A common theme among all his classes was the professors’ emphasis on developing critical-thinking skills, he recalled. “I was exposed to great ideas, and dissent was encouraged. Professors encouraged students to express differing opinions. Knowing how to do that respectfully has been helpful in my career,” said Düzer. Düzer enrolled at Franklin College from the community of Franklin, Ind. Although he liked attending college close to home, he also liked stretching his boundaries through global education experiences. He interned at a law firm in Cologne, Germany, studied German at the Goethe-Institut in Bonn, Germany, and studied international relations and political science at the University of Guadalajara in Mexico. “The opportunities helped me test what I thought I might want to do with my life in addition to giving me a chance to see the world. Franklin’s Office of Global Education was flexible and helped me to find the right places to study abroad.”
Franklin College,” he said. He cited Ralph Guentzel, Ph.D., associate professor of history, Randall Smith, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, and Sara ColburnAlsop, professor of Spanish, as faculty members who strongly influenced his Franklin liberal arts experience in positive ways. “They were always there for me, to help me know how to guide my education,” said Düzer. “Franklin professors have time for you and help you get everything out of the experience. The personal attention helped me grow and be challenged as an introvert.” Like many Franklin students, Düzer had some “aha” moments during college, as he began to notice the impact of the liberal arts experience. One example stems from ColburnAlsop’s teaching methods. “Because of her I realized — for the first time — that I didn’t have to believe something just because it was written in a book,” recalled Düzer. That epiphany continues to serve him well in his career, which, coincidentally, gives him the chance to inspire others to look beyond the surface, dig deeper and work hard to make sense of the world and their place in it. ■
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ALUMNI NEWS
Historical interpreter’s talents “seam” fitting By Sarah Ramon ’17 Pulliam Fellow
In 1986, Jenny (Vinson) Sherrill ’95 was one of the first members of Conner Prairie’s youth volunteer program. Fast-forward 30 years to today, and you will find her employed there as a historical interpreter. “Where else are you going to dress up in strange clothes every day you go to work and insist to people you live in 1836?” quipped Sherrill. “It’s what I do!” Located in Fishers, Ind., Conner Prairie is an interactive history park that recreates Indiana life during the 19th century. In 1985, Sherrill’s family had a membership and frequently visited the park much to her delight. One day, an interpreter impressed with Sherrill’s knowledge of history, encouraged her to look into their new
youth volunteer program. Just a year later, she became one of the first 13 youth-volunteers at Conner Prairie. As a teenager, Sherrill took on the personas of adolescent characters, such as a carpenter’s daughter and a doctor’s hired girl. After college, she took on other age-appropriate roles such as a leader during the temperance movement. “As a 16-year-old, I was a part of the wedding in the summer when the carpenter’s daughter got married,” recalled Sherrill. “Now I’m the mother of the bride!” Sherrill enjoys the creative challenge of portraying each unique character, but her true passion comes from making their wardrobes. In 2001, Conner Prairie required its historical interpreters to acquire their own costume pieces, from petticoats
to aprons. With only a limited background in sewing learned from her mother and home economics class in middle school, Sherrill began to sew her own costumes. Even when Conner Prairie started to provide interpreters with costumes years later, she continued to sew her own dresses to ensure they fit physically and suited her particular taste. Sherrill added, “I’ve actually sewn for some exhibits at Conner Prairie, my coworkers, youth volunteers and some museums.” She once challenged herself and some of the other history interpreters to sew a complete dress over the course of a weekend while portraying their respective characters. Staying true to the time period, the dressmakers spread their materials and crafted their work while sitting on the ground in front of guests at Conner Prairie.
Alumnus helps roll out new job search app By Mia Taskey ’16
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Pulliam Fellow
Keith Shepherd ’94 demonstrates a new app that helps people find local jobs on their mobile device.
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Keith Shepherd ’94 has volunteered for several years with the Franklin College Office of Career Services. He has come back to campus to help current students by conducting mock interviews, serving on career panels and giving networking presentations. Now, he is part of a team rolling out a new, high-tech way to help students and other job seekers, the WorkHere App. The app is produced by WorkHere LLC, an Indianapolis-based company. The WorkHere App uses a job seeker’s location to reveal current opportunities in the area. Additionally, job seekers can choose to “follow” specific businesses and receive notifications of future job openings within those companies. The app is free for job seekers but charges a service fee to www.FranklinCollege.edu
work closely with others and encourage each other. Additionally, professor of journalism Joel Cramer, J.D. inspired her with the behavior he modeled in his classes. “He always had such an encouraging attitude and was kind and friendly,” Sherrill recalled. “He was very encouraging to his students to do their best.” Although she graduated with a degree in journalism, Sherrill said courses outside of her major also were important. Her participation in a Russian History course taught by professor of history Richard Gawthrop prepared her for a study-abroad trip her senior year. Lessons she learned in a theatre class currently help her with acting as an interpreter at Conner Prairie. “There’s so much from Franklin College that carries over even if you’re not doing the job that you trained for in your major,” Sherrill said. ■
employers looking to tap into the pipeline of potential talent. Shepherd said, “The WorkHere App often can reveal businesses job seekers didn’t know were there or opportunities they didn’t know were available. Right now we are really targeting the hourly employee, so it is a really good tool for high school and college students.” That is a key message Shepherd shares in his role as director of business development. He began consulting with the company last year and eventually was brought onto the team full time. “My role right now is to advise on business development strategy. I reach out to employers to get them to subscribe to the app to fund it. I also have been focusing on user-acquisition, which ties back to spreading awareness at Franklin College.” Shepherd has been in the talent acquisition industry for several years, working to encourage and discover creative ideas and bring them to life.
After graduating from Franklin, Shepherd said he never actively intended to work in the talent acquisition industry, but he quickly became passionate about the field. He has more than 20 years of previous recruiting and staffing experience with Aerotek, Monster Worldwide and Advanco. Shepherd majored in political science at Franklin and was impacted tremendously by the liberal arts experience. His two most influential faculty members are now emeriti, professor of political science John Wood, Ph.D., and professor of economics George Launey, Ph.D. Shepherd said both men challenged him academically and philosophically, teaching him important lessons in determination and cultural understanding. Shepherd still values the emphasis his mentors and other Franklin faculty put on group work. “I really learned how to work with people of different backgrounds and
www.FranklinCollege.edu
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“It actually didn’t get finished that weekend because I got a little ambitious in the pattern,” Sherrill admitted. What makes sewing costumes so rewarding is the reaction from the public, she explained. “It’s just neat to give people the chance to get their hands on hand-stitched clothing since so few people sew anymore.” On any given day at Conner Prairie, Sherrill interacts with numerous adults and children. She believes her Franklin College experience has provided the skills for her to better relate to people. “I’ve learned a lot about managing conflict, dealing with people who are different than I am and respecting them,” said Sherrill. “There’s value in lots of different types of people. You need to find the best way to encourage the people around you to do their best.” She attributes her involvement in Intervarsity and Tri Delta during her time at Franklin to learning how to
Taking inspiration from a gown showcased in the Snowshill national trust collection at Berrington Hall in England, Jenny (Vinson) Sherrill ’95 designed this 1836-style dress that quickly became one of her favorites.
to understand different points of view,” Shepherd said. “I learned to be more open-minded about things and to understand that everyone has something to contribute in one way or another. The best thing about the Franklin College experience was being able to take it into the workforce, where I’m always working with new people and looking for ways to build relationships.” Leadership opportunities during college also helped Shepherd build skills that have been helpful in the workforce. He was a member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity and the men’s soccer team for four years. He also held work-study positions in the campus bookstore, which gave him a glimpse at running a business. “All of those experiences helped play a part in getting and succeeding in jobs after college and in bringing me to where I am now. The sky is the limit on what this app can do, and what this can develop into,” said Shepherd. ■ Summer 2016
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AMY (KEAN) VERSTEEG ’96
ALUMNI NEWS
Meredith “Marty’ Price ’66 discusses his new historical fiction novel, Gretel’s Cross, which is set in Germany, with Franklin College professor of history Ralph Guentzel, Ph.D., a native of Germany.
German history gives author inspiration By Amy (Kean) VerSteeg ’96 Editor
This has been an eventful year for Meredith “Marty” Price ’66, who launched his first book, Gretel’s Cross, in March and celebrated the 50th anniversary of his Franklin College graduation in May. He gladly accepted an invitation from the alumni engagement staff to march during commencement with the class of 2016. “What a neat opportunity!” said Price. “Being at commencement brought back some great memories.” Preparations for the latter didn’t take nearly as long as drafting, rewriting and producing his book of historical fiction. That production took approximately three years, but the stories it reflects were collected for nearly 35 years. During that time, Price was becoming better acquainted with and accepted by his in-laws, the family members who shared real-life stories that inspired his work. Price explained, “It is somewhat unusual that an American decided to write about his same-sex partner’s German mother, Gretel. My own mother died while I was attending
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Franklin, so it made my eventual relationship with Gretel even closer. “Gretel had a delightful and lively personality even though she had lived through decades of tragedy and many challenges. Writing about her was a great pleasure for me, and, fortunately, my work about her was accepted by her sons, Helmut and Hubert (Price’s spouse).” Price’s book is set in Uberauen, a medieval walled-town in Germany, and takes place during the turbulent time between the two world wars. The book illustrates the impact of the economic collapse and the rise of the 3rd Reich on Gretel’s family. There was forbidden romance and suicide, as well as the normal joys of life. The historical research the book required was literally a labor of love, according to Price. “Going back to the town that inspired the book gradually grew to be like returning home myself. The family members, locations and German language associated with that place and time became a very dear chapter in my own life’s journey,” he said.
However, there were some challenges. After some of his in-laws saw a draft of the book, they didn’t want to identify their ancestors because of the scandalous nature of some of the stories. For this reason and others the fictional aspect of the book was a necessity. “Since many family members had died in the early 20th century, no direct contact was available to describe them in detail, so I just made up personalities and plots that created an imagined life cycle. We knew the end of their stories but not about their real lives, so I had to invent them. I later discovered that fiction literally imitated real life, as two characters in the book met through a newspaper ad as did the real-life individuals,” Price said. Price lived in Germany for 17 years and taught school there for the U.S. Army, giving him a foundation in the language, history and culture. He self-published the book with the help of Sagaponack Books & Design. It’s available on Amazon. Price currently resides in Ormond Beach, Fla. ■ www.FranklinCollege.edu
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PADGETT PHOTOGRAPHICS
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CLASS NOTES
Michael E. Miller ’82
The ’50s
Jay Hunsucker ’75 earned his black belt in jiu jitsu just prior to his 63rd birthday in April. Hunsucker began practicing the sport in 2002 at age 49 and helped found the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club at Franklin College, where he teaches classes for men and women. He resides in Franklin, Ind.
The ’70s Phil Powell ’73 recently transitioned to Franklin College Honorary Trustee status. He retired from the board in October 2015 after 17 years of service and was recognized in the Franklin College magazine autumn 2015 issue, available online.
www.FranklinCollege.edu
Michael E. Miller ’82 was appointed Cummins vice president-controller-enginebusiness, in June. Miller serves as a member of the engine business unit’s leadership team and oversees all of the finance and accounting responsibilities. He has worked for Cummins since 1991 and resides in Columbus, Ind.
The ’90s Debbie Kramer-Suttman ’92 has produced The Gift of Inspiration, her fifth book in “The Gift of Life Series.” She describes each book as being “rooted in a faith and belief in God’s love, availability, faith and guidance.” Kramer-Suttman indicated the books are not based on her life but are divinely inspired. “It starts flowing through me,” she said. “Writing this series has helped me stay purposeful. It’s about letting people know there’s more — a life separate from the craziness of the world — a simple, truthful, respectful existence.” She recalls wanting to become a
writer since age 9 and has worked over her lifetime as a freelancer, educator, nutritional consultant and facilitator. She resides on a farm in Batesville, Ind., with her husband and their three children. Jen Zienty Pauls ’93 currently is serving her 20th year with Indiana’s Goshen Police Department, where she is a detective. Natalie (Dukes) Roberts ’94, senior vice president for Monarch Beverage, recently was elected to serve as the designated community trustee for the Franklin College Board of Trustees. The community trustee must be a resident of Johnson County, and she resides in Franklin. In her role with Monarch, she is involved in the development and implementation of short- and long-range goals and objectives for the company. Her specific responsibilities include creative services, finance, customer service, risk management, human resources and public and government affairs. Roberts began with Monarch Beverage as an intern in 1994 and advanced over the course of her career to several positions, including sales representative, district sales manager, trainer/recruiter, director of human resources, project manager, vice president of marketing and vice president of human resources. Roberts
Debbie Kramer-Suttman ’92 RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06
Constance Richardson Van Valer ’59 recently transitioned to Franklin College Honorary Trustee status. She had served with the board of trustees since 1999, most recently co-chairing the honorary degrees committee and serving on the student affairs and the academic affairs committees. As the daughter of Franklin College’s 10th president, she has been closely associated with her alma mater since age 12. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Franklin College and pharmacology and medical degrees from Indiana University. She completed post graduate studies at Methodist and St. Vincent hospitals in Indianapolis and specialized in emergency medicine until her retirement in 2005. In 2008, Richardson Van Valer and her sisters made a major gift that funded renovations to the college chapel, which was rededicated and renamed Richardson Chapel in memory of their father, Harold W. Richardson. She is a resident of Indianapolis.
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Constance Richardson Van Valer ’59
SAVE THE DATES Oct. 6 – 9 for Homecoming 2016!
Summer 2016
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CLASS NOTES
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Lindsay Hadley ’00, Adam Hoover ’01 and Amy (Martin) Wiser ’96
Communication gurus collaborate The production of a communications campaign brought together three Indiana-based alumni for a collaborative project in Los Angeles this spring. When Kiwanis International Chief Communications Officer Amy (Martin) Wiser ’96 hired the advertising, public relations and branding firm Borshoff to produce two TV commercials for the “Kids Need Kiwanis” campaign she learned she would be collaborating with senior account director Adam Hoover ’01 and senior art director Lindsay Hadley ’00. The alumni convened in a graffiti-covered California parking lot for the project. Wiser said, “The production crew kept saying, ‘Wait, you guys all went to school together?’” Wiser added, “Of course, it was great, as always, to work with talented fellow alumni like Lindsay and Adam.” Noting what a small world it is, Martin shared that Adam’s wife, Lora (Todd) Hoover ’00, also works for her employer, Kiwanis. ■
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“Every student I have come in contact with has had some type of impact on me as a professor or person,” Moore explained. Students like Loren Sargent ’17, an elementary education major with a minor in English as a new language, say Moore made a difference. “Dr. Moore is a very experienced professor who brings a passion and caring heart to every class she teaches. She gets involved in each student’s life and truly cares about our success. She is a wonderful role model, and she will be greatly missed!” said Sargent. Among her efforts in helping her students, one of Moore’s proudest career accomplishments was completing her own doctoral work in three years. She attended Indiana University and completed her degree in educational leadership. On top of her busy teaching and learning schedule, Moore also participated on the college’s promotion and tenure committee and served as an adviser for education majors and the Franklin chapter of College Mentors for Kids, which pairs first- through fourth-grade children with
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college students for weekly after-school activities focused on education and career. Her valuable work was noticed over the years. Most recently, she earned the Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award in recognition of mastery of her subject, effective communication and a respect for all students and belief in their ability to learn. In her retirement, Moore is ready to make new memories and see where the future takes her. “Before the unexpected death of my husband in February, my plans were to travel to see our son and family (eight grandchildren) in Idaho and take a cruise to the Panama Canal, but plans have drastically changed, and I'm starting a new chapter in my life. “I don't have any definite plans for retirement, but I would still like to visit my family in Idaho. I plan to volunteer possibly at Johnson Memorial Hospital and pursue other interests of mine, like sewing and gardening. In the past, I've been a planner, but God is teaching me to live one day at a time and enjoy that day to the fullest, since there is no guarantee of a tomorrow for any of us,” said Moore. ■
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received her MBA from the University of Indianapolis and her undergraduate degree in marketing from Franklin College. She serves on several other boards including the 500 Festival and the Indiana Recycling Coalition. Matt Bessler ’96 recently earned the junior division Teacher of the Year Award during the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair. According to Bessler, approximately 2,000 students from across Imperial County submitted projects for fair consideration, but only about 30 percent of them were accepted. All 23 of his students had their submissions accepted. His students went on to earn five first-place prizes and nine second-place prizes. Two of them advanced to the state competition. It was the fourth consecutive year that all of Bessler’s students from Soille Hebrew Day School were accepted into the fair. His degree from Franklin is in business/ marketing, but he recently changed careers and received his teaching credential and master's degree in teaching from Point Loma Nazarene University. He resides in California.
www.FranklinCollege.edu
Holly Wehr Harley ’06
The ’00s Vicki (Valent) Kingsley ’01 and her husband, Jeremy, are the parents of a son, Joshua Michael, born Oct. 16, 2015. He joins two sisters, Jillian, 4, and Jenna, 12. The family resides in Cincinnati. Gregory Armbruster ’04 and his wife, Laura, are the parents of a son, Oliver Scott, born March 29, 2016. He joins siblings Stephen, Catherine and Leo. They reside in Indianapolis. Christina DeWitt ’04 has been promoted to partner at H. J. Umbaugh and Associates Certified Public Accountants. DeWitt joined the company in 2005. She resides in Indianapolis. Matt Jarrard '05 has joined Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Ga., where he is associate director of corporate philanthropy. Opened in 1968, the Woodruff Arts Center is home to the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre, the Grammy Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the High Museum of Art, the leading art museum in the southeast.
Rebecca (Rominger) Roberts ’05 and her husband, Nathan ’06, are the parents of a son, Joshua James, born June 14, 2016. He joins a brother, Luke, 4, and a sister, Addison, 2. The family resides in New Palestine, Ind. Holly Wehr Harley ’06 has been named to the Ripley County Community Foundation Board of Directors. She is employed with Renaissance Learning, an educational assessment and learning- analytics company. She resides in Versailles, Ind., with her husband, Jordan. Chad Hoffman ’06 recently was promoted to division president of specialized business at Celadon Group Inc. He double-majored in finance and business management, beginning his career with Irwin Union Bank and Trust in 2005 as a credit analyst for the commercial group. In 2007, he joined Celadon as a financial analyst, then advanced to pricing analyst, pricing manager, director of customer service mand vice president of operations.
Jenna Yarnell ’09 is the mother of a daughter, Jorgia Ann, born March 4, 2016. Her adoption was finalized in July, and she was welcomed into a large and happy extended family. Jorgia’s grandmother, Judy Yarnell, is an administrative assistant for Franklin College’s offices of student activities and career services, and Jake Yarnell ’15 is her uncle. ■
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Matt Bessler ’96 (center)
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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and will begin the program this fall. Her husband, Josh ’08, recently completed his master’s degree in systems engineering from Regis University. The couple are celebrating their twoyear wedding anniversary on Sept. 6, 2016. Josh proposed during a Franklin alumni trip to Paris in the spring of 2012.
#FranklinCollege (news and events)
#GrizAlumni
Kathleen (Spencer) Spencer ’10 and husband Andrew Andrew Johnson '09 and his wife, Leah (Sanders) '09, are the parents of a daughter, Emmeline Jeanette, born Feb. 26, 2016. She joins a sister, Adelaide.
(alumni engagement)
#GetGrizzly (athletics)
#GrizProud (achievements)
#FCThinkingForward (strategic planning)
@PresFC (Tweets from President Minar)
Adam Kloss '09 and his wife, Casey (Lewinski) ’09, are the parents of a son, Travis Michael, born April 1, 2016. He joins a sister, Melanie Elizabeth, 2.
The ’10s Jennifer (Bense) Mohr ’10 was promoted in March to senior e-learning developer at Elwood
Staffing's corporate office, where she has been employed since 2010. Mohr is forging her own career path; her company's executive team created this new role in honor of the achievements she's made in demonstrating e-learning software mastery, team leadership and competency in managing course development, while researching and collaborating with subject matter experts.
Kathleen Spencer ’10 married Andrew Spencer on March 19, 2016, at Risen Lord Lutheran Church in Bargersville, Ind. The bridesmaids included Samantha (Johnson) Crawford ’11, Kayla (Bachek) Blackburn ’11 and Heather Woods ’11. The groomsmen included William Spencer ’11. Greeters included Jordan Kapitan ’12, and readers included Kendall Paris ’10. The couple honeymooned in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. They reside in
Whitney (Jenkins) Schleter ’10 was accepted into the Butler University School of Pharmacy
Shutterbugs explore Cuba After the United States and Cuba signed an agreement in January 2016 to restore commercial airline service for the first time in 50 years it paved the way for Americans to more easily gain access to the island. The New York Times reports that “Americans still can only go to Cuba so long as the trip falls within one of 12 purposes, including visits to close relatives, academic programs for which students receive credits, professional research, journalistic or religious activities and participation in public performances or sports competitions.” Fortunately, for one group of alumni and faculty emeriti, their respective work in academia, journalism, leadership and government put checks in several of the required boxes. Ryan Sparrow ’94, graphics track coordinator, department of journalism, Ball State University (BSU), led a group to Cuba in March to focus on photography opportunities. His travel companions included his wife, Colleen Steffen ’94, journalism instructor, BSU, Susie Fleck, Franklin professor emerita of journalism, and Bonnie Pribush, Franklin professor emerita of mathematics and computing and retired director of the leadership program. The group connected with Scott E. Smith ll ’94, U.S. Department of State public diplomacy officer, who already was in Cuba doing work in advance of President Obama’s visit. Visiting Cuba was a new milestone for some of the veteran travelers. Sparrow and Steffen previously coordinated immersive-learning trips for BSU journalism students to cover the Olympics in London, 2012, and in Sochi, 2014. This summer they took a group of 50 students to cover the Olympics in Rio. They also previously took BSU students to England for a class on the Beatles and visited Cuba last year with a group. During her Franklin career, Fleck led Winter Term photography courses in Norway, Belize and the Southwest, and Pribush participated in trips with students to Norway, Russia and Uganda. ■
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Aaron Sparks ’10 and his wife, Samantha (Marshall) '11, are the parents of a son, Tytan Paul, born Feb. 23, 2016. Aaron is a firefighter for the city of Danville, Ind., and Samantha is a physical therapist assistant at Westside Village Nursing Center. The family resides in Plainfield, Ind.
Ryan Sparrow ’94, Scott E. Smith lll ’94, Colleen Steffen ’94, Susie Fleck and Bonnie Pribush
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www.FranklinCollege.edu
Jade Hill ’12 is serving as social media manager for Big Nerd Ranch, an information technology company located in Atlanta, Ga. Anna Murdock ’15 won the One America 500 Festival 5K women’s race during the 2016 Indianapolis’ Mini-Marathon. Murdock won the women’s race by 19 seconds, posting a time of 19:15 through downtown Indianapolis. Overall, she placed 11th among the 4,010 male and female runners. Murdock was a Top 30 selection for the 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year award for strong athletic, academic and community service work during the 2014-15 athletic season. She concluded her celebrated collegiate running career by capturing the institution’s first national championship in the 800-meter run at the 2015 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. ■
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Teachers celebrate retiring With more than a century of professional experience between them, a married couple of teachers have retired from active education. Grace (Angel) Marion ’61 started her long career at Hammond Morton High School as a Spanish teacher. While completing her master’s degree in education at Indiana University, Bloomington, she taught junior high school. She relocated to Lawrence, Kan., and was on the faculty of Haskell Indian Junior College. She taught Spanish at the middle school and high schoollevels in the Lawrence Public School System while completing her specialist in education degree at The University of Kansas. She later was a Spanish instructor Breck Marion ’61 and his wife, at Johnson County Community College and taught Grace (Angel) ’61 middle and high school Spanish in Eudora, Kan. After 50 years of active teaching, she retired in Wellsville, Kan. In addition to her long and active teaching career, Grace devoted herself to many other activities. She was a member of the National Education Association (NEA) and served as an officer at the local and state levels. She also was a member of the Women’s Concerns Committee for the national NEA and a member of Phi Delta Kappa. She served 12 years on the Kansas Board of Healing Arts and two terms on the Kansas Respiratory Board. She was active in the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and the United Way, and was recognized as being an Outstanding Hispanic in Kansas. She was a member of Leadership Lawrence and Leadership Kansas and was active in the Delta Zeta alumni club. Upon her retirement, Grace received a commendation from the Kansas House of Representatives for her services to education, to the State of Kansas and to the many organization in which she provided leadership. Breck Marion ’61 also graduated from Franklin College and Indiana University. He taught at Gavit High School in Hammond, Ind., while completing his master’s degree in education. He became a lecturer in education and a media producer at Cummins Engine Co. In 1969, he became an assistant professor of education in the Graduate School of Education at The University of Kansas. He taught courses in audiovisual communications and was director of the film rental library and media services. He was an early proponent of distance education and the use of instructional technology. After his retirement, he spent 19 years as a substitute teacher in several school districts, teaching multiple subjects at the middle and high school levels. He became president of the Consortium of College and University Media Centers. He also was a consultant to the ministries of education in Panama and Costa Rica and was a frequent consultant for the U.S. Department of Education on technology grants. He served as the president of the Kansas Crime Stoppers Association, graduated from the Lawrence Kansas Police Department Citizens Academy and was the president of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy and worked part time for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. In retirement, the Marions plan to move to Florida and volunteer at the local middle and high schools. In a joint email, they wrote, “We are both very grateful for the wonderful education we received at Franklin College. The high quality of the faculty and the ability to participate in numerous activities laid the foundation for our future careers and community involvement.” ■
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Indianapolis. Kathleen is an elementary school teacher in the Metropolitan School District of Perry Township, and Andrew works in insurance.
OBITUARIES
The ’40s Vilma Beth (Zook) Mullen ’43 died April 22, 2016. She was born on June 4, 1920. She resided in Deming, N.M., for the past 46 years and was a member of the Methodist Church. She loved religious music and sang in the church choir. She was an avid quilter and reader and was a supporter of Habitat for Humanity. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald. Survivors include six children, 12 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Wendell D. Keller ’46 died March 27, 2016. He majored in economics and was active in Kappa Delta Rho fraternity at Franklin. In 1969, he received a Franklin College Alumni Citation. His career included serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps and working for Joseph E. Seagrams and Sons for more than 25 years before retiring in 1973. After moving to Florida, he co-owned the Gateway True Value Hardware store in St. Petersburg. His wife, Edith (Clouse) ’46, preceded him in death in 2011. Survivors include their four children and seven grandchildren. He resided in Tampa, Fla. John E. Norman ’48, O.D., died June 24, 2016. He was active in Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and the football program at Franklin, but his studies were interrupted by military service. He served as an apprentice seaman with the U.S. Naval Reserve for two years during college. He then left Franklin, serving in the U.S. Army as a member of the 314th General Hospital stationed in the Philippines. During his tour, he served as a medical and dental technician and earned a WWII Victory Medal and two Bronze Stars. After an honorable discharge, he attended optometry school. He operated a private optometry practice in Evansville, Ind., for more than 20 years and
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later joined Rose Optical in Evansville. He became a partner of Sun Optical where he retired from in 1997. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan. Survivors include a daughter, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He resided in Sarasota, Fla. Calvin D. Davis ’49, Ph.D., died March 31, 2016. At Franklin, he was active in Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, the football program and several academic honoraries. After earning his bachelor’s degree in history, he went on to earn a master’s degree and a doctorate, both in philosophy, from Indiana University. He wrote his doctoral dissertation on the Hague Peace Conference of 1899, emphasizing that conference’s work with the laws of war and the development of international arbitration. The American Historical Association awarded him the prestigious Albert J. Beveridge Award for the dissertation and published it at the Cornell University Press. His book on the Hague Peace Conference of 1907 was published by Duke University Press. The two books are basic books for the study of the international law of war and for the first efforts at founding a world court and an organization of the world. For many years his professional biography has appeared in Who’s Who in America and in Who’s Who in the World. He was a U.S. Army veteran who made a career as a teacher, beginning at the high school level and later transitioning to the university level. He held positions at Indiana University, Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis) and the University of Denver. He finished his career at Duke University, where he became a full professor, teaching from 1962–96. He resided in Greensburg, Ind.
Carl “C. Jack” Scott ’49 died June 10, 2016. He majored in history and Latin and was active in Phi Delta Theta fraternity and the FC Singers at Franklin. Throughout his life, his interests were primarily in music. He sang in the choirs at the Tabernacle Christian Church for nearly 50 years and also was a charter member of Voices, a Johnson County choral group. His early career included teaching Latin at Crawfordsville (Ind.) High School and serving in the military during the Korean War. He later worked 33 years for Harcourt Brace Publishing Co., as a sales representative and part-time consultant. Survivors include his wife, Emma Jean, two children and three grandchildren. He resided in Franklin, Ind.
The ’50s Elizabeth L. Pruden ’50, M.D., died March 29, 2016. At Franklin, she majored in chemistry and was a member of Delta Zeta sorority. She went on to earn her master's degree in chemistry from Wayne University and her doctorate in biochemistry from Indiana University. She began her career at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind., serving as chief medical technologist for 12 years, then became technical director at Caylor Nickel Research Foundation in Bluffton, Ind., for five years. She was named Medical Technologist of the Year in 1964 by the Indiana Society of Medical Technology. The duration of her career was spent as a clinical chemist at Schumpert Medical Center in Shreveport, La. She also was a clinical assistant professor at Louisiana State University School of Medicine and contributed to and edited many laboratory medicine and clinical chemistry journals and textbooks. After retiring from medicine in 1996, she turned novelist, using the pen name Elizabeth Fritz, and publishing 11 light fiction novels from
2006–13. She resided in Fort Wayne, Ind. Ted L. Marston ’51 (H.D. ’92) died March 31, 2016. At Franklin, he was co-captain, with his twin brother Fred ’51, of the football team and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. While at Franklin he met his future wife, Elaine (Harrison) ’52; they married in 1950. After serving in the Marine Corps during the Korean War, he was a science teacher, guidance counselor and football coach at Columbus North High School where he also served as representative of the teachers association while taking classes at Harvard University and ultimately completing his master’s degree at the University of Illinois. He left teaching to accept a position in human relations at Cummins Engine Co. He served as vice president of personnel-head of human resources for more than 25 years. He was responsible for the opening of Cummins facilities across the world, including the People’s Republic of China, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the Middle East during his tenure. After retiring from Cummins, Ted and a close friend co-founded a business, and he was very involved in serving the Foundation for Youth in Columbus. Education was always an integral part of his life; he served on the Indiana State Board of Education. He also proudly was appointed to the Bureau of Indian Affairs during the administration of President Jimmy Carter. After his second retirement, he and Elaine worked with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers in South Florida and helped the children of migrant crop pickers further their educations. He maintained his ties to Franklin College as a member of the board of trustees for 20 years. He chaired the board for five years and was elected an honorary trustee for life upon his board retirement in 2002. During his board service, he devoted
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considerable time and energy to helping lead the fundraising campaign that rebuilt the college after the devastating fires of 1985. Franklin College presented him an alumni citation in 1982 and an honorary doctorate of humanities in 1992, both recognizing his career accomplishments and community service. He was a member of the college’s Founders Circle giving society. Survivors include Elaine, their two children and eight grandchildren. He resided in Columbus, Ind. Lt. Col. Gordon V. Daugherty ’52 died May 8, 2016. He attended Franklin College and was active in Phi Delta Theta fraternity and the men’s basketball program. His studies were interrupted when he was called to serve with the U.S. Air Force. He completed pilot training and flew fighter jets during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He attained Command Pilot status and earned several medals, including a Bronze Star, for his performance. He later served the U.S. government in several different countries and worked four years in the Pentagon. He retired from the military after 30 years of service. He was a trustee of the Newburgh (Ind.) Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty June. He remarried to Patty Lane, and she survives, as do three children, three stepchildren, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He resided in Newburgh. Robert N. “Bud” Switzer ’53 died March 4, 2016. At Franklin, he majored in pure mathematics and was active in Phi Delta Theta fraternity, basketball and track. Survivors include his wife, Betty, eight children, 18 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He resided in Warren, Ind.
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Harold C. Crater ’54 died March 23, 2015. His career included serving with the Indiana Army National Guard and working as a broadcaster and manager for WSJM Radio in St. Joseph, Mich. He also worked for the Van Wert, Ohio, Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He also was an engineer's assistant for the Indiana Department of Transportation. His hobbies included singing in a church choir, watching Cubs baseball and doing crossword puzzles. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty (Russell) ’48. Survivors include four children, 10 grandchildren and 14 greatgrandchildren. He resided in Winamac, Ind. Anna Lou (Lawson) Pickett ’56 died May 10, 2016, of glioblastoma cancer. She attended Franklin College and was active in Delta Zeta sorority and the Psychology and Theology clubs before transferring to Ball State University. She was an accomplished educator, civil rights advocate and civic activist. Her professional life centered on the needs of students with disabilities, as a teacher and then a principal of a special school for disabled students denied an education. In 1979, she spearheaded the founding of the firstof-its-kind National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals at the City University of New York, now housed at the University of Utah. Her leadership sparked national voluntary practice standards for paraprofessionals. Active in the New York City Reform Democratic civil rights and anti-war crusades of the 1960s, she was elected a Democratic District Leader in 1969. She was the assistant commissioner for community affairs at the Environmental Protection Administration of New York during the Lindsay administration and, in 1974, was the campaign
manager for Mary Anne Krupsak's successful run as the first female lieutenant governor of New York. She also helped establish landmark status for several theaters and always enjoyed telling, with humor, about the process to establish landmark status for the Empire State Building. Later, she became an active member of Citizens Union and active supporter of the West Side Campaign Against Hunger. She was a longtime resident board member, and friend to the staff and residents of the 470 West End Co-Op. In the late 1960s, she was the first woman elected to a leadership position as Moderator of Judson Memorial Church, where she maintained a longstanding, faithful membership. She also was a member of the Franklin College Founders Circle giving society. Franklin College President Thomas J. Minar, Ph.D., was honored to speak at her memorial service. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh. Survivors include two sisters, Ruby Curro, and Joan C. (Lawson) Wills ’62. She resided in New York City. Einar “Sy” M. Syvertsen ’57 died March 14, 2016. At Franklin, he majored in American Studies and was active in the Pre-Law and Theology clubs. He served with the U.S. Navy and later earned a master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Washington. He worked as a consultant for the National Community Development Service and as an environmental planner for CH2M Hill Corp. at locations across America. He retired in 1997 as vice president of research at the Center for Economic Growth in Albany, N.Y. He resided in Eagle River, Wis. Virginia “Jinky” (Voss) Craft ’58 died March 16, 2016. At Franklin, she majored in elementary education and was active in Delta Zeta
sorority. She earned her master’s degree in education from Butler University and taught for 34 years in the Indiana cities of Greensburg, Milan, Kirklin and Shelbyville before retiring in 1994. She was a very active member of First Presbyterian Church in Shelbyville, Ind., where she resided. Survivors include her husband, Earl Raymond “Ray,” a member of the famed 1954 Milan High School basketball team, their two children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Fred George ’58 died March 19, 2016. He was a veteran of the Korean War and owned and operated a central Florida construction business for almost 50 years. Survivors include his wife, Jeannie, eight children, 12 grandchildren and 19 greatgrandchildren. He resided in Deland, Fla. Betty F. (Smith) Lower ’58 died April 24, 2016. At Franklin, she was active in Pi Beta Phi sorority, Madrigal Singers and Hall Government. Upon graduating, she taught for one year, then earned a Fulbright Scholarship in 1959 and studied away at the University of Bristol in England. She returned stateside and earned a master’s degree at the University of Illinois. She later taught English and music at Winston Churchill College and served as its dean of women until its closing in 1971. She later joined the faculty of Pontiac Township High School, where she taught English and served as sponsor for the student newspaper and the National Honor Society. She also directed numerous theatrical productions until her retirement in 1996, after 22 years of service. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Pontiac, Ill, where she resided. Survivors include three children and three grandchildren.
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C. Norman Pash ’58, D.D.S., died March 27, 2016. At Franklin, he was active in Phi Delta Theta fraternity and the tennis program. He continued his education at the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville Dental School. He served in the U.S. Navy prior to launching his 50-year dental career. He held a deep passion for his dental practice and a strong commitment to his patients. He enjoyed traveling and was a voracious reader. Survivors include his wife, Janet (Stewart) ’58, three children and eight grandchildren. He was a resident of Lexington, Ky.
Richard O’Brien ’67, Ph.D., died Dec. 17, 2015, from cancer. He held master’s and doctoral degrees from West Virginia University. He spent six years as an assistant professor of psychology at Lycoming College in Pennsylvania before joining the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty in 1977. There, he was a longtime psychology professor and served as an executive officer for the college chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). He was a resident of Amityville, N.Y.
The ’90s The ’60s Carolee (Ward) Herron ’60 died Feb. 24, 2016. She held a master’s degree in education from Indiana University and had been a first-grade teacher at Northeast Elementary School in Greenwood, Ind., for 31 years, retiring in 1999. She was a member of Gracepoint Church in Whiteland, where she was involved in the ladies’ Bible study, and was a former member of Amity Baptist Church, where she and her husband were involved and supportive of several mission trips and church camps. She was a member of the Indiana Teachers Union and a 50-year member of the Hayden Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 253. Survivors include her husband, Ronald, two children, seven grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. She resided in Franklin, Ind. Norma (Hoard) Mondragon ’60 died on Nov. 21, 2015. She attended Franklin College and later earned a master's degree in education. She made a career as a teacher and school administrator, retiring in 1996. Survivors include two children and a grandchild. She resided in Arcata, Calif.
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Stephanie A. (Hoover) Wittmer ’95 died April 29, 2016, after a three-year battle with breast cancer. At Franklin, she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and the Environmental Awareness Club. She majored in broadcast journalism. She was a member of the Hopewell Mennonite Church. Survivors include husband Mathew and their four children. She resided in Valparaiso, Ind. Melissa S. (Eldridge) Shaw ’96 died June 6, 2016. She majored in accounting and was active in Zeta Tau Alpha sorority at Franklin. She began her career as an accountant, but soon thereafter found her calling as a childcare provider. She had one biological child, and loved and nurtured many other children as if they were her own. Survivors include her husband, Rob, and their son. She and Rob celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary on the day of her passing. She resided in Greenwood, Ind.
Friends of Franklin College Otto K. Behrens Jr. died April 22, 2016. He was a U.S. Army veteran and retired certified public accountant. His community service included deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne, Ind., where he also was a choir member for more than 20 years. Additionally, he was an elder at First Presbyterian Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church in Columbia City, Ind., and was vice president of Lakeland Girl Scout Association, past president of Whitley County Planning Commission and a past docent for the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. Survivors include his wife, Diane, four children, 12 grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. The Behrens family has a legacy of support and service to Franklin College and the American Baptist faith community on which the college was founded. Otto K. Jr.’s late parents, Otto K. Sr. (H.D. ’81) and Effie J. (H.D. ’05), were former Franklin College Trustees. Eleanor G. Phillips died March 23, 2016. She was a member of the Franklin College President’s Club giving society and the founder of an endowed scholarship established in memory of her mother, Gladys (Pitcher) Greer ’25. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard H. Survivors include two children and four grandchildren. She resided in Evanston, Ill. Stephen “Steve” Russell died April 15, 2016. He was an Indiana business leader, philanthropist and proponent of education and the arts. He began his career in the mid 1960s at Ford Motor Co. in the product planning group. He later became president of Hertz Trucks (present-day Penske Corp.) After leaving Hertz, he became president and CEO of Seatrain Lines, a NYSE-listed
company. Later, he led Barsac, a general contracting company responsible for the construction of Riyadh King Khalid airport in Saudi Arabia. In 1985, he co-founded Celadon Group Inc. He became the company's chairman and CEO in 1995. Under his leadership, Celadon grew into one of Indiana's largest employers. In 2015, approximately 40 Franklin College alumni were Celadon employees, and the company generously provided a corporate matching-gifts program for those who made contributions to Franklin College. He was a member of the college’s President’s Club giving society. Survivors include his wife, Livia, three children and seven grandchildren. He was a resident of Carmel, Ind. Russell P. “Russ” Valentine, M.D., died April 12, 2016. He practiced cardiology in Indianapolis, beginning at Methodist Hospital and more recently working for St. Vincent Medical Group. He always said that he chose cardiology because “With a name like Valentine, what choice did I have?” He was a valued health-science mentor to Franklin College faculty, staff and students. Survivors include his wife, Christine, and their two children. He was a resident of Indianapolis. Donald W. Yates died Dec. 16, 2015. He served on the Franklin College Board of Trustees from April 1978 to July 1979. He was the owner and operator of Genesis Electronics, retiring in 1985 after 50 years. He also served with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a 50-year member of the choir at First Baptist Church in South Bend, Ind., where he resided. Survivors include his wife, Teresa, eight children, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. ■
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State bicentennial brings chance to share Branigin archives
ARCHIVAL PHOTO
A hallmark project coinciding with the Indiana Bicentennial will debut at the college this fall with an opening reception showcasing the new space in B.F. Hamilton Library dedicated to the Honorable Roger Douglas Branigin Archives. The event will take place on Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m. and is
Roger Douglas Branigin 1923
endorsed by the Indiana Bicentennial Commission as a state legacy project. Gov. Branigin was a 1923 Franklin College graduate and Indiana’s 42nd governor, serving from 1965–69. His official papers, rare books and personal memorabilia will be on permanent display in his namesake archival room on the library’s third floor. In conjunction with the opening reception for the archival room, the college will host a free public lecture by James H. Madison, Ph.D., Indiana University historian and emeritus professor. His lecture, “Two Hundred Years of Indiana History: Stories from Our Hoosier Heritage,” begins at 7 p.m. on Sept. 15 in the Napolitan Student Center’s Branigin Room. Madison will honor Indiana's bicentennial by sharing some of the best stories of the state’s past, from the pioneer era, through the Civil War, to the 21st century. His illustrated talk with focus on the Hoosier experience, highlight connections between Indiana’s past and present and engage
listeners in thinking about the state’s future. Generous funding from John C. Duffey ’79 and his wife, Teresa (Hagee) ’77, make the archives possible. Duffey is a partner with the law firm of Stuart & Branigin, LLP. To attend the opening reception for the archives, please RSVP by Friday, Sept. 9 at (317) 738-8040 or kwood2@FranklinCollege.edu. After Sept. 15, the archives will be open for viewing by appointment only; call (317) 738-8160 or email dshorey@FranklinCollege.edu. Admission to the archives during the reception and thereafter will be free. Indiana’s official 200th birthday is Dec. 11, 2016, but commemorative events have been taking place throughout the state all year long. ■
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A signature event of the Indiana Bicentennial is a torch relay in which Hoosiers will symbolically pass a flame from one torch bearer to another, connecting generations of residents across the state’s regions in a show of unity. Patterned after the U.S. Olympics torch relay, Indiana’s version will pass through all 92 of the state’s counties, cover 3,200 miles over a five-week period and average 97 miles per day. Walkers, runners and torch bearers employing modes of transportation that are representative of Indiana culture and heritage will move the torch along its route beginning in Corydon, the state’s first capital, and culminating in Indianapolis on the Statehouse grounds. Torch bearers were chosen from nominations by each county in the state. Ruth (Doub) Callon ’52 (H.D. ’11) was chosen posthumously for her impact on girls’ and women’s athletics programs in Indiana. Her children, Franklin College mathematics professor Dan Callon ’77, Ruth (Doub) Callon ’52 Ph.D., and his sister, Cathy (Callon) Pieratt ’80, will participate in the torch relay. The relay starts Sept. 9 and ends Oct. 15, 2016; torch bearers will pass through Johnson County on Sept. 23 and 24. For full details, go to www.IndianaGov/IBC/TorchRelay. ■
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Franklin Fund impacts students
RENEE (KEAN) KNIGHT ’06
Kelsey Cross ’16 is heading to New York City this fall, after earning a highly competitive scholarship to the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University. At Franklin, she double-majored in political science and chemistry, a rigorous combination that helped qualify her for Cardozo’s patent-law program, currently ranked seventh best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. “I don’t think I’d be heading into patent-law without a strong liberal arts background,” said Cross, who counts Women’s Studies and What it Means to be an American, as two of the most life-changing courses she took at Franklin. Hands-on experiences at Franklin, including her involvement in the college’s biodiesel research program, were assets to her law school application. She also was involved in a Franklin service-learning program addressing homelessness in Washington, D.C., and a Winter Term course in England exploring declining religions in modern Europe. During her Franklin experience, she interned for Sen. Dan Coats’ Washington, D.C., office, where she was involved in researching a variety of legislative issues for the senator, including specific bills, appointments and hot-button issues. Cross also interned with Leadership Johnson County, where she helped participants facilitate development initiatives for the county. Prior to her graduation, Cross completed an externship with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She was an award-winning member of the Franklin College Mock Trial team and involved in the Religious Life team. Cross was a recipient of the Franklin College Founders Scholarship and several endowed scholarships, including those named for Jerry L. Curnutt ’64, Ph.D., Maurice Johnson 1914 (H.D. ’75) and his wife, Rose, Mary Voorhees Botts and Elba “Babe” L. Branigin. Your gifts to the Franklin Fund assist young people like Cross who will go on to make a difference in the world. Give online at www.FranklinCollege.edu/giving or call (317) 738-8040.