Franklin College has selected five students to serve as Pulliam Fellows during the 2025-26 academic year. The Pulliam Fellowship program was established in 1982 through the College’s Pulliam School of Journalism and serves as an experiential learning opportunity. The Fellowship provides students with hands-on experience in feature writing, media relations, marketing, sports information and photography. The Fellowship also puts students in contact with media professionals in various fields.

The following students have been selected for the Pulliam Fellowship:

Anna Cecil, a senior multimedia journalism major, is from Indianapolis. Last semester she spent five months reporting on Indiana state politics for TheStatehouseFile.com (TSF). Currently, she is working on another TSF-related initiative called the Statehouse Reporting Project where she works with students covering politics in other states. Cecil is also a news editor for The Franklin, the College’s on-campus news site and magazine. She said, “I am so thankful for the opportunity to be Pulliam Fellow. It has allowed me to grow in my skills as a communicator and writer, which I will carry with me into my future career.” Cecil is completing her Pulliam Fellowship as a press release and feature writer in the communications office.

Esther Etherington, a senior elementary education major with a nonprofit leadership minor, is from Richmond. After gaining experience as a two-year member of the women’s golf team at the College, working in the sports department as a Sports Information Pulliam Fellow is a natural fit. She also gained experience for the position by serving as a First Tee – Greater Charleston Pathfinder Immersion Program intern, a United States Golf Association Pathways intern and as the Richmond Site Director for First Tee – Indiana. On campus, Etherington is a member of Student Foundation, the Education Club and serves as an Admissions Ambassador, welcoming potential new students and their families to campus. Regarding the Fellowship, she said, “I deeply enjoy serving s a Pulliam Fellow because of the strong relationships established with coaches, administration and referees. Working in the athletic department is a campus job that has grown my communication skills, hard skills with statistics software, and the ability to perform under pressure. It is a joy to work alongside Ryan O’Leary (Sports Information Director) and cheer on my student-athlete friends.”

Luke Shepherd, a sophomore sports communication major, is from Avon. Shepherd just completed a summer internship as a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College students. He is also a live commentator at Franklin College soccer, basketball and volleyball games and a member of a team of students who are working on a documentary about the Franklin College football team. Shepherd said, “My new marketing writer job is a great opportunity for me to talk with so many different students and alumni of Franklin College and to grow my professional writing skills. I am hoping to go into sports journalism after school, so this job serves as a great way to build my interviewing skills and learn how to tell someone’s personal story.” Shepherd is completing his Pulliam Fellowship as a writer for the marketing office.

Katie Thoman, a senior public relations and English major, is from Rushville. Thoman works in the Write Place as a tutor. She also serves on the executive board for Delta Delta Delta sorority and is a member of the women’s chorus. Thoman said, “Being a Pulliam Fellow has been a fantastic experience, and I am truly honored to share the exciting endeavors of our campus organizations, students and staff. My experience has helped me become an even stronger writer and communicator, which has also developed my own professionalism and love for storytelling.” Thoman is completing her Pulliam Fellowship as a press release and feature writer in the communications office. This is her second year serving as a Pulliam Fellow.

Chloe White, a junior multimedia journalism major with minors in graphic design and creative writing, is from Elizabethtown. White is currently the editor in chief of the Apogee, Franklin College’s student-powered literary publication, photography editor for The Franklin and the recipient of the Scott Alexander Journalism Scholarship. Last year, she ran The Statehouse File’s #GivetoGRIZ social media campaign. White said, “Working as a profile writer for the marketing department has been such a great experience. The position has allowed me to build new connections and sharpen my writing skills, both of which I’m confident will support my future endeavors.” She is completing her Pulliam Fellowship as a writer for the marketing office.

By: Anna Cecil ’26

Franklin College Pulliam Fellow