The Center of Diversity and Inclusion at Franklin College recently hosted the annual Women of Distinction Awards in recognition of National Women’s History Month. The event was the 11^th annual celebration of women who have achieved, overcome and blazed a trail for others through their professional leadership, volunteer efforts and civic and campus involvement. The theme for this year’s event was “Legacy: What it Means to Set Roots.”

Nominees and guests enjoyed a celebratory brunch on Wednesday, March 11, where they had the opportunity to support one another and hear from keynote speaker Nadine Lucate-Pierre, Ph.D., an accomplished educator, principal consultant, and advocate for transformative change in education and community spaces. Based in Atlanta, she works as a classroom teacher and the principal consultant of Neoteric Learning Partners.

Each year, the Franklin College community is invited to nominate outstanding women on campus, as well as members of the local community, for this distinguished honor. A panel of judges selects a winner in each of the four categories––student, faculty, staff, and community member, with the winners being recognized with a commemorative plaque.

Marlisha Marcellin, Ph.D., director of the Center of Diversity and Inclusion, and Kalyn Johnson, assistant director of the Center of Diversity and Inclusion, organized the event and presented the awards. Listed below are the winners in each category:

Student: Ne-Yocike Collins from Franklin. Collins is a junior majoring in software engineering. She was honored for going above and beyond with her efforts to revive Sister to Sister, a campus organization, while also juggling classes and work and, most importantly, being a mom. Collins has been instrumental in the planning of a fashion show, sponsored by the Sister to Sister organization.

Faculty: Susan Crisafulli, Ph.D., of Franklin. Crisafulli joined the College in 2008 and is a professor of English. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Presbyterian College, her master’s degree from the University of Tennessee and her doctorate from Vanderbilt University. She was honored for her role in founding and growing the local affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which fosters a love of reading and learning by mailing a free, age-appropriate book every month to Johnson County children from birth to the age of 5.

Staff: Sarah Summers, Ph.D., of Franklin. Summers joined the College in 2021 and is the associate dean for academic affairs. She received a bachelor’s degree from DePauw University and earned both a master’s degree and a doctorate from Penn State University. Summers received recognition for her roles in tailoring professional development programming for faculty, as well as the impact she makes on students by organizing and facilitating the First Year Seminar course each year.

Community Member: Tina McIntosh of Indianapolis. As the founder and guiding force behind Joy’s House, which provides adult day services and caregiver support, McIntosh has grown the Indianapolis-based company into a nationally recognized model for adult day services. She has been instrumental in advancing caregiver education through innovative programs that meet the many needs of the families.

“Women of Distinction is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the incredible women who make an impact on the Franklin College community while also bridging connections with the broader community through their work,” Marcellin noted. “This year’s theme is Legacy, and we have reflected on what it means to take root, to prune and to create an impact that outlasts us. The brunch centered on remembering the roots planted by generations before us and honoring the truth that one’s worth is not defined by any room but exists whether a woman stands alone or before a crowd.”

The public celebration of women’s history in the United States began in 1978 as “Women’s History Week.”  In 1987, Congress expanded the celebration to an entire month, and March was declared Women’s History Month.

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