On Thursday, Nov. 21, the Alpha Society welcomed 19 students into its membership. The Alpha Society is the oldest and most prestigious academic honorary at Franklin College. Each year, the top 10% of the institution’s seniors by GPA are invited to join the society.

James R. Alexander, Ph.D. served as the guest speaker at the initiation ceremony. Alexander, assistant professor of philosophy and religion, said, “The Alpha Society initiation was a heartwarming testament to the scholastic dedication and resounding work ethic of our FC students and the communities they come from.  As an alumnus and faculty member, I was so proud to have the opportunity to celebrate the evening with the new initiates and their families.”

The following seniors were initiated:

Maddison Claybrooke, a biomedical sciences major, is from Mahomet, Illinois.

Taylor Cooney, an exercise science major, is from Greensburg.

Lucas N. Densford, an accounting major, is from Sellersburg.

Spencer G. Fears, a political science major, is from Trafalgar.

Amy Garrido Portillo, a political science major, is from Greenwood.

Elliott Gough, a biology (ecology/conservation) major, is from Ellettsville.

Brooke Grinstead, an exercise science major, is from Bloomington.

Robert Knight, an applied mathematics and data science double major, is from Greenwood.

Riley Mahan, a chemistry major, is from Trafalgar.

Cara Mullen, a political science and philosophy double major, is from Carthage.

Isabella Sarina Neiling, a psychology major, is from Cicero.

Luke Paddock, an exercise science major, is from Liberty.

Riley Petro, a biomedical sciences major, is from Edwardsport.

Emily Rector, a political science major, is from Aurora.

Ezra Schwier, an exercise science major, is from New Palestine.

Blake Stack, an exercise science major, is from Stilesville.

John Andrew Wallace, a chemistry (biochemistry) major, is from Jasper.

Molly Wallace, a business marketing and economics double major, is from Fort Wayne.

Phebe Wolf, a biomedical sciences major, is from Somerset, Kentucky.

For more information, contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185.

By: Clayton Shull ’26

Franklin College Pulliam Fellow