FRANKLIN —Franklin College’s 2026 Commencement took place on May 23, in Spurlock Center Gymnasium on the Franklin College campus. The top five majors of the graduating class were exercise science, business, biology, psychology and public relations. The college conferred 164 undergraduate degrees and 28 graduate degrees.
Martha Sanders Hoover, J.D., delivered the commencement address, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree during the ceremony. Her speech was titled “Everything You Think.” She reminded the graduates, “In a world full of noise and distraction, faced with uncertainty and continuous change, the ability to think for yourself is the most transferable skill of all.”
The senior class speaker was Nicolas Whitecotten, a resident of Greenwood and a graduate of Greenwood High School, who double majored in accounting and business (finance), with double minors in data science and quantitative methods. He was selected by his classmates to address the audience on their behalf.
Preceding commencement, on Friday, May 22, the Rev. Dr. David P. Gushee gave the baccalaureate address and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the College. He is widely regarded as one of the most important Christian ethicists of the past 30 years, distinguished by both his prolific scholarship and his global influence.
Emma Jones of Greenwood, Jetta Norris of Bloomington and Laura Sickmeier of Greenwood were all recipients of the Scholarship Cup, signifying the best scholastic record during their time at Franklin College. Many graduates earned academic distinction and were recognized for their hard work during the ceremony with the ringing of the Liberty Bell, once for cum laude (GPA of 3.50 or higher), twice for magna cum laude (GPA of 3.75 or higher) and three times for summa cum laude (GPA of 3.90 or higher).
Gabriella Sherry, of Franklin, was the recipient of the Gold Quill Trophy, one of the most distinguished awards given to a student at Franklin College. The recipient is chosen by the faculty and is recognized for excelling in academics, in campus leadership positions and in community service.
Graduates from West Central Indiana earning masters’ degrees include:
• Tiana Arthur, of Bowling Green, earned a Master of Science degree in athletic training.
• Colby Scott West, of Cayuga, earned a Master of Science degree in athletic training.
Graduates from West Central Indiana earning undergraduate degrees include:
• Victoria Elizabeth Abston, of Crawfordsville, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.
• Madelyn Raye Belcher, of Bloomingdale, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. She graduated summa cum laude.
• Benjamin Maxwell Brown, of Crawfordsville, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sports communications.
• Sullivan Kayne Caldwell, of Crawfordsville, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. She graduated cum laude.
• Carter Jeffrey Edney, of Dana, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.
• Samantha Jordan Jones, of Greencastle, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in exercise science.
• Logan Thomas Oppy, of Crawfordsville, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in exercise science. He graduated cum laude.
• Trinity AnnMarie Schroeder, of Linden, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations.
• Corbin Micah Smith, of Crawfordsville, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.
• Riley Elizabeth Wallace, of Cloverdale, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. She graduated summa cum laude.
