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franklin Friday, Nov. 6, 2015 • TheFranklinNews.com
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Minar looks to Franklin’s future State of the College adress focuses on growth, building
By Shelby Mullis
shelby.mullis@franklincollege.edu
Franklin College President Thomas Minar assured the college community Franklin College is “fundamentally strong” at the annual State of the College address Tuesday morning. “We must think big,” Minar said. “We must think forward. We must think about our possibilities, not our limitations. We must recognize that we live in a God-given world of abundance.” Although the secure condition of the college is important, Minar informed students, faculty and staff of many opportunities that must be considered for the future of the institution. “While we have accomplished many things since the beginning of the year, we still have much we are looking into doing,” said junior Erika Brock, Student Congress president. This year, admissions surpassed its enrollment target of 320 incoming students for the fall of 2015. It planned a budget based on 300 incoming students. “This puts us in a great place ¬– our highest enrollment in five years,” Minar said. Among other achievements, Minar mentioned the college’s recognition in U.S. News and World Report lists and Money magazine. Because of this recognition, he said the college got billboard space on I-65 near Greenwood from a “generous donor.” Minar highlighted the success of the college’s first graduate program, a masters in athletic training program.
Minar also discussed the trek toward the creation of a physician assistant studies program. “This is recognition of the changing health sciences environment and the importance of the life sciences to central Indiana,” he said. “It’s recognition that we, as a liberal arts college, have a role in health science professions.” He said the growing science programs calls for progress on the funding of Barnes Hall. The college needs to raise a total of $25 million to build and add on to the science building. “We will be aggressively continuing the quest for additional funding for the campaign and the eventual renovation,” Minar said. “It is a top priority of mine. It will happen.” Senior Danielle Faczan, who attended the address, said she is excited to see the future of the college. “I’m about to graduate, so I am not going to be here to see [all the changes] firsthand,” Faczan said. “But I am really excited to see where it is now and where it is going to be.” In closing, Minar quoted clergymen Edward Hale. “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something,” Minar said. “Let’s do it. Let’s do it for the sake of the college, for making the college the best it can be, and for enabling the college, its people and its future to change the world.”
Adrianna Pitrelli: The Franklin Franklin College President Thomas Minar delievers his first state of the college address in the Branigin Room on Tuesday. During the speech, he highlighted the achievements he has seen in his time as a first-year president.