Notable Alumni of Franklin University and Franklin College: Shaping Diverse Fields

Franklin University and Franklin College, though separate institutions, both boast impressive alumni networks that have made significant contributions across various sectors. Franklin University, with its focus on adult learners, has produced leaders in business, healthcare, and social change. Franklin College, a liberal arts institution, has cultivated notable figures in politics, arts, and academia. This article explores some of the distinguished alumni from both universities, highlighting their achievements and impact on society.

Franklin University Alumni: Leaders in Professional Excellence and Social Impact

Franklin University's commitment to educating working adults has resulted in a diverse alumni base who are making a difference in their respective fields. The Franklin University Alumni Awards were created to recognize the many achievements of Franklin University alumni, both professionally and personally. These awards consist of three categories: the Franklin University Alumni Award for Professional Excellence, the Franklin University Alumni of the Year Award, and the Franklin University Alumni Award for Social Impact. One of the three awards is announced at each of the University's Commencement ceremonies on a rotating basis.

Nancy Z. Farrell Allen, MS ’11 (nutrition), RDN, FAND

Nancy Z. Farrell Allen, a graduate of Franklin University with a Master of Science in nutrition, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and a national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Her work in nutrition has had a significant impact on promoting healthy eating habits and informing the public about the importance of nutrition.

Lisa L. Fannie Emanuel, CMS 1915

Dr. Lisa L. Fannie Emanuel, a graduate of CMS in 1915, was one of the first African-American women to graduate from CMS. She dedicated her life to education and service, leaving a lasting legacy in her community.

David T. Jerome Gold, CMS ’53

Dr. David T. Jerome Gold, a CMS graduate of 1953, played a crucial role in the release of specific cephalosporin antibiotics (Ancef) and was one of the founders of the rubella vaccine. His contributions to medicine have had a global impact on healthcare.

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Bradley S. Kwan Kew Lai, MD ’79

Dr. Bradley S. Kwan Kew Lai, MD ’79 is an author and infectious disease expert.

Arthur Levine, MD ’64

Dr. Arthur Levine, MD ’64 is an executive director of the Brain Institute at University of Pittsburgh.

Terry Light, CMS ’73

Terry Light, CMS ’73, is recognized by his peers as an American Orthopaedic Association Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession.

Kaleem Malik, MD ’96, MS ’92

Dr. Kaleem Malik, MD ’96, MS ’92, is a Presidential appointee to the Board of Scientific Counselors and also to the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention & Control.

Nancy L. Naomi Schmid, DPM ’10

Dr. Nancy L. Naomi Schmid, DPM ’10, serves on the Minnesota State Board of Podiatric Medicine.

Bryanna Stigger: Alumni Award for Social Impact

Dr. Bryanna Stigger earned her bachelor’s degree through Franklin’s 3+1 partnership with COTC and completed her master’s at Franklin. She also recently completed her doctorate at The Ohio State University. Dr. Stigger has been affiliated with several local organizations and was an active leader during her time at COTC, earning several awards that recognized her service. Transitioning her early passion to a mission-driven career of service, Dr. Bryanna reactivated the Licking County NAACP and currently serves as president. She received the Black Excellence Award in Educational Studies and the EHE Legacy Award from the Office of Equity, Diversity and Global Engagement at Ohio State. Bryanna received the Alumni Impact Award from COTC and the college also honored Bryanna with the "Jay" Barker Community Service Alumni Award for her exemplary service and transformational impact and legacy.

The Alumni Award for Social Impact will be awarded to an outstanding alumnus who demonstrates the positive impact they have had on a/the community through their work in social innovation within the profit, non-profit or public sector; or who demonstrates a significant, long-term impact of their contribution to the Community and University.

Thomas Wolf, CPA

Thomas Wolf, a graduate of Franklin University, has more than 20 years of experience in the accounting field. He is the founder and managing member of Wolf Financial Group LLC, a full-service accounting firm with offices in Canton and Columbus. Wolf Financial Group LLC has earned a reputation for outstanding accounting, tax, and advisory services and has been recognized with many professional awards. Tom completed an associate degree in business management, as well as an associate degree in accounting at Stark State College. In 2015, Tom was elected as the Plain Township fiscal officer. He is a member of the Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society, an international business, management, and administration honor society, and the Society of Leaders Scholars. Tom is treasurer for numerous nonprofit organizations, including the NFL Alumni Association, and is a Plain Township Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.

Franklin College Alumni: Contributions to Arts, Politics, and Academia

Franklin College, founded in 1834, has a long-standing tradition of producing graduates who excel in various fields. The college's liberal arts education emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and creativity, which prepares students for success in their chosen careers.

Robert Wise: Acclaimed Filmmaker

Robert Wise, an alumnus of Franklin College, was an American filmmaker. He won the Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture for his musical films West Side Story (1961) and The Sound of Music (1965). He was also nominated for Best Film Editing for Citizen Kane (1941) and directed and produced The Sand Pebbles (1966), which was nominated for Best Picture.

Marjorie Main: Celebrated Character Actress

Marjorie Main, professionally known as Marjorie Main, was an American character actress and singer of the Classical Hollywood period, best known as a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract player in the 1940s and 1950s, and for her role as Ma Kettle in 10 Ma and Pa Kettle movies. Main started her career in vaudeville and theatre, and appeared in film classics, such as Dead End (1937), The Women (1939), Dark Command (1940), The Shepherd of the Hills (1941), Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), and Friendly Persuasion (1956).

Edna Parker: Supercentenarian

Edna Ruth Parker was an American supercentenarian who, for 15 months, was recognized as the oldest person in the world. She was featured in two documentaries and included in a Boston University DNA database of supercentenarians.

Elmer Davis: News Reporter and Author

Elmer Holmes Davis was an American news reporter, author, the Director of the United States Office of War Information during World War II and a Peabody Award recipient.

Fuzzy Vandivier: Basketball Player and Coach

Robert P. "Fuzzy" Vandivier was an American high school and collegiate basketball player during the 1920s.

Roger D. Branigin: Governor of Indiana

Roger Douglas Branigin was an American politician who was the 42nd governor of Indiana, serving from January 11, 1965, to January 13, 1969. A World War II veteran and well-known public speaker, Branigin took office with a Democratic general assembly, the first time since the Great Depression that Democrats controlled both the executive and legislative branches of the Indiana state government. Branigin was a conservative Democrat who oversaw repeal of the state's personal property taxes on household goods, increased access to higher education, and began construction of Indiana's deep-water port at Burns Harbor on Lake Michigan. During his one term as governor, Branigin exercised his veto power one hundred times, a record number for a single term. Branigin was the last Democrat to serve as governor of Indiana until Evan Bayh took office in 1989.

Paul Monroe: Educator and Historian

Paul Monroe, Ph.D., LL.D. was an American educator. He specialized in the history of education, and in comparative studies.

William Steele Holman: Congressman

William Steele Holman was a lawyer, judge and politician from Dearborn County, Indiana. Representative from 1859 to 1865, 1867 to 1877, 1881 to 1895, and 1897, spanning sixteen Congresses. He is known for originating the Holman Rule, allowing amendments to appropriations bills to cut a specific program or federal employee salary. He died in office in 1897, a month after his last election.

Steven A. Cohen: Environmental Policy Expert

Steven A. Cohen is an American academic who has taught public management and environmental policy at Columbia University since 1981. He is the former executive director of Columbia University's Earth Institute and now serves as a senior advisor for the institute. He is a professor in the practice of public affairs at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. He is also the director of the Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy in the School of International and Public Affairs and the director of the Master of Science in Sustainability Management in the School of Professional Studies. He served on the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator's National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (2002-2004). He currently serves on the board of directors of Homes for the Homeless, faculty advisory committee for the Porter School of Environmental Studies at Tel Aviv University, and the admissions committee of the Lotos Club. Cohen also sits on the judging committee for the Yidan Prize Foundation. He served on the advisory board of the University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment (2016-2022).

William G. Everson: Major General

William Graham Everson was a major general in the United States Army who served as Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Christopher T. Gonzalez: LGBTQ+ Rights Activist

Christopher T. Gonzalez,, was an LGBTQ+ rights activist from Indianapolis, Indiana. He founded the non-profit organization Indiana Youth Group (IYG), one of the first organizations in the country to support gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth.

Jesse Overstreet: Congressman

Jesse E. Representative from Indiana from 1895 to 1909. In 1900, Overstreet introduced the legislation that was ultimately passed as the Gold Standard Act.

Francis M. Griffith: Congressman

Francis M. Representative from Indiana from 1897 to 1905.

Hugh Lowery: Football Player

Hugh Lowery was an American football player. He played at the tackle position for the 1920 Detroit Heralds during the first regular season of the National Football League (NFL), then known as the American Professional Football Association (APFA). He was also a member of the football, basketball, baseball and track and field teams at Franklin College.

Otis William Caldwell: Botanist and Football Coach

Otis William Caldwell was an American botanist, college football coach and science writer.

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