Franklin College bestowed several awards at the Annual Student Involvement Awards ceremony on April 30, 2025. A highlight of the event each year is the unveiling of the “Top Ten Seniors.” The recipients are chosen based on their academic excellence (a minimum of 3.0 GPA); leadership on campus, both inside and outside the classroom; and their embodiment of the college’s values.

The following students were recognized as the “Top Ten Seniors”:

Sydney B. Carson, daughter of Randy and Vicki Carson of Westport, majored in biomedical sciences and French with a minor in biomedical physics. She graduated cum laude. During college she was a member of the women’s tennis team and the Scrub’s Club. She was also a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, serving as vice president of operations and director of fraternity heritage. This fall she will begin pursuing a doctorate in optometry at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee.

Garrett Cora, son of Dominick and Michelle Cora of Lizton, majored in sports communication. He was a four-year member of the Grizzlies football team. He was named HCAC Newcomer of the Year his freshman year, Second Team All-HCAC his sophomore year, First Team All-HCAC, Second Team All-American by the AFCA and Third Team All-American by D3football.com his junior year. To cap off his career, he was named First Team All-HCAC and D3football.com Third Team All-Region his senior year. He set the program’s record for rushing touchdowns, breaking a 50-year record. In the fall she will begin teaching first grade at Acton Elementary School. His plans for the future include taking over the family business, C and J Services, with his brother.

Celeste Edwards, daughter of Faye Licorish of Indianapolis, majored in chemistry on the industry/graduate school track. She served as the president of the Student Government Association, president of the Black Student Union, Launch Mentor, member of Student Foundation, secretary of Sister to Sister, community representative of the Arthur Wilson Black Experience House, manager for the women’s basketball team and a library supervisor. She plans to work for a few years before returning to school to pursue a doctorate degree in chemistry.  Edwards was also chosen by the senior class to represent them as the student commencement speaker.

Spencer Fears of Trafalgar, son of Lisa Fears and the late Feather Grant Fears, majored in political science with a business minor. He graduated summa cum laude. While at Franklin, he completed an undergrad court program model, United Nations and served as a senior senator in the Student Government Association. He was inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society and Alpha Society. He plans to attend law school this fall.

Amy Garrido Portillo, daughter of Rafael Garrido and Dulce Portillo of Greenwood, majored in political science with a pre-law designation and Spanish and quantitative methods minors. She graduated summa cum laude. At Franklin, she served as president of the Latinx Student Association, a Launch Mentor, a member of Model UN and a member of Moot Court. She was inducted into Alpha Society, Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society, Alpha Mu Gamma Modern Languages Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. She studied abroad in Japan. Her plans after college include serving as a bilingual outreach paralegal at Indiana Legal Services and applying to law school.

Tristan Konkler, of Austin, is the son of Josh and Jessica Konkler and Sara Gibson and Jeff Coome. He majored in political science and minored in history and business. While in college, he was a four-year member of the track and field team, a two-year member of the cross country team, and served as president and treasurer of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He plans to work in the human resources industry following graduation.

Riley Mahan, daughter of Lisa Mahan and Gloria Crowell of Trafalgar, majored in chemistry and minored in biology. She graduated summa cum laude. While at Franklin, she served as treasurer, risk manager and new member educator for Zeta Tau Alpha fraternity, treasurer of Gender Minorities in STEM and treasurer of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. Mahan was also inducted into the Alpha Society. She participated in numerous theatre productions during her time at Franklin College. Her future plans include working at Applied Laboratories, Inc. in Columbus.

Cara E. Mullen, daughter of Eric and Angie Mullen of Carthage, majored in political science and philosophy with a pre-law designation. She graduated summa cum laude. While at Franklin, she served as a Launch Mentor, a diversity advocate, the vice president of diversity and inclusion for the Student Government Association, co-president of FC Across the Aisle, president of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, social media manager of FC Pride Alliance and a supplemental instructor. She was also a member of Model United Nations and Moot Court. She was inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society, Alpha Society Scholastic Honor Society and Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society. During her time at Franklin College, she studied abroad, visiting Copenhagen, Stockholm, Kosovo, Budapest and Japan. She will be attending the IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis as a Franklin Law Scholar and an ICLEO Fellow this fall.

Joshua Sanders Jr., son of Joshua Sanders Sr. and Diondrea Simonton Sanders of Indianapolis, majored in public relations and minored in business. He was a four-year member of the football team, serving as captain during his senior year. He was also a member of the esports team, the Black Student Union and THRIVE. In addition, he served as vice president of Brother2Brother and completed football coaching internships at Marian University and Franklin College. He also completed an internship at Exp Reality. His plans after college include becoming a full-time real estate agent for Exp Reality and coaching football at the high school or college level.

Ezra Schwier, son of Randy Schwier of New Palestine, majored in exercise science with a fitness minor. He graduated magna cum laude. Schwier was a member of the men’s tennis team, president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and a member of the Exercise Science club. He was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, Alpha Society and Chi Alpha Sigma Student Athlete Honor Society. As a sophomore, he received the coveted Laurels and Lancers award for recognition of his first-year achievements at Franklin College. His future plans include attending the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program at Taylor University to pursue a career as a PA.

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