Franklin College recently initiated 24 new members into Alpha Society. The 103-year-old honorary, the oldest and most prestigious academic honorary at Franklin College, offers membership to the top 10% of the senior class based on their GPA. Juniors with a 4.0 GPA are also invited to join the society.
This year, three staff members were initiated as well, as the society accepts full-time faculty and staff who demonstrated similar levels of academic achievement as the undergraduates who are admitted during their own collegiate experiences.
Paul Fonstad, Ph.D., professor of mathematics, served as the guest speaker at the ceremony. In his presentation, titled “The St. Petersburg and Allais Paradoxes: From Counterintuitive Math to a Better Understanding of Human Behavior,” he discussed classic examples of decision-making under uncertainty and risk.
The following seniors were initiated:
Audra Barclay, a data science and software engineering double major, is from Indianapolis.
Carter Bright, a biology (ecology and conservation) major, is from Homecroft.
William Bright, a computer science and software engineering double major, is from Greenwood.
Madison Cary, a psychology and Spanish double major, is from Chesterton.
Anna Cecil, a multimedia journalism major, is from Indianapolis.
Ryan Collins, an accounting major, is from Seymour.
Emma Jones, a vocal music major, is from North Vernon.
Brayden Millick, a biology (biomedical sciences) major, is from Brownstown.
Meghan Moses, a political science major, is from Tipton.
Jetta Norris, a chemistry and neuroscience double major, is from Ellettsville.
Kaytlyn Pankl, a chemistry major, is from Greensburg.
Hannah Phegley, a history major, is from Brownsburg.
Kendra Shirrell, an art studio (pre-art therapy) major, is from Greenwood.
Laura Sickmeier, a public relations major, is from Greenwood.
Katie Thoman, a public relations and English double major, is from Rushville.
Luke Willmann, a chemistry (biochemistry) major, is from Selma.
The following juniors were initiated:
Lauren Barker, a public relations major, is from Columbus.
Van Evanoff, a neuroscience major, is from Franklin.
Allison Meyer, a history and English double major, is from Columbus.
Abigail Thornburg, a biology (ecology) and chemistry (environmental science) double major, is from Clayton.
Lennon Zollman, an accounting and business (finance) double major, is from Martinsville.
Staff initiates included:
Katie Burpo, M.F.A., assistant professor of English and creative writing, lives in Bargersville. She received her bachelor’s degree from DePauw University and her master’s degree from Western Michigan University.
Alanea Graci, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, lives in Columbus. Graci received her bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Technological University and her master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Louisville. She is originally from Knoxville, Tennessee.
KaLeigh (Hurley) Lee ’16, director of alumni engagement, lives in Shelbyville. Lee received her bachelor’s degree from Franklin College and her master’s degree from IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis).
For more information, contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185.
By: Anna Cecil ’26
Franklin College Pulliam Fellow