Franklin College sophomores Grace Hattabaugh and Jonathan McCoy received the esteemed Laurels and Lancers Awards during the annual Opening Convocation and Bell Ceremony on Friday, Aug. 22.  Each year, two outstanding students are recognized for their first-year academic success and strong campus-community involvement.

“Our Laurels and Lancers Award, conferred by vote of the faculty, acknowledges the excellence of two outstanding sophomore students based on academic success and campus involvement as first year students,” said Kristin C. Flora, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college. “Grace and Jonathan exemplify how Franklin College students can make the most of their Franklin College experience, both academically and through participation in co-curricular activities, serving as inspiring role models for their peers.”

As recipients of the honor, Hattabaugh and McCoy had the privilege of signaling the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year by ringing the ceremonial college bell. To commemorate the achievement, their names are engraved on the Laurels and Lancers Trophy, which is on display in the academic affairs department at the college. They each received a framed certificate as a keepsake.

Hattabaugh, from Hope, is a graduate of Hauser High School. She is studying history with a religious studies minor. Her future goal is to teach AP history at the high school level.

On campus, Hattabaugh has pursued several interests, joining InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Pi Beta Phi sorority, Earth Club and Student Foundation. She is also employed by The Write Place as a student instructor. During her first year at Franklin College, Hattabaugh was named to the President’s List for both the fall and spring semesters for maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She was selected to participate in the college’s prestigious honor program, the Intercultural Honors Experience (IHE).

Hattabaugh cites participation in Intervarsity as being the most meaningful experience for her so far because “I get to deepen my faith through fellowship with different people on campus.” She also cites her First Year Seminar class as “extremely meaningful.” She shares that “it got me connected to other people on campus who were interested in the same things I was. It was also a deeply personal class, and it was inspiring to see everyone open up.”

McCoy is from New Whiteland, graduating from Whiteland Community High School. He is double majoring in actuarial science and applied mathematics with a data science minor. His future aspiration is to be an actuarial consultant. Academically, he also secured a place on the President’s List for both the fall and spring semesters of his first year on campus.

McCoy has taken on several leadership roles at Franklin, serving as both the chaplain and secretary for Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, dedicating time as treasurer for the Math and Computing Club and serving the President’s Office as a member of Student Foundation. He is also a member of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, serves as a captain for the men’s volleyball team and is the representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

McCoy’s most memorable experience so far at Franklin College has been securing the first win in program history for the men’s volleyball team. “Starting a program and then being on the court and having the winning kill to achieve our first ever win in program history will stay with me forever,” says McCoy.

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