About Kerry N. Prather

Kerry N. Prather serves as the 17^th President of Franklin College.

Prather was appointed Acting President in January 2020 and President one month later, with his term initially set to end in June 2022. The Board of Trustees extended his contract in 2021 through July 1, 2024, and again in 2023 through June 30, 2026. Most recently, his contract was extended through June 30, 2028, reflecting continued confidence in his leadership.

During his tenure as the college’s president, Prather has led the way in establishing the college’s Center for Tech Innovation and the Johnson Memorial Health Athletic Annex; launched a competitive esports program on campus; and created a digital fluency initiative that serves as the capstone to the already transformative education Franklin provides. Under his leadership, Franklin College has earned the confidence of Lilly Endowment Inc., which awarded a $1 million grant to the college in 2020 to help strengthen technology integration and expand learning opportunities. He also led the college to its most successful fundraising year ever in 2020 and welcomed the largest incoming class in five years, all in the midst of a global pandemic. Prather has expanded the college’s diversity and inclusion efforts, pledging to graduate leaders capable of and committed to making our communities, our states and our nation more fair, more just and more compassionate.

Over the duration of his 42-year Franklin College career, Prather has served as assistant dean of students, associate director of admissions, acting vice president for enrollment management and acting vice president for administration. For much of his career, he has served in executive leadership positions, including as a Cabinet officer in four administrations.

He joined the Franklin College staff in 1982 as the assistant men’s basketball coach and was promoted to head coach the following year. He was named Director of Athletics in 1989. Under his leadership, Franklin College expanded athletic opportunities for students to the current level of 21 intercollegiate sports and upgraded and built new athletic facilities throughout the campus.

In November 2018, Prather achieved his 500th career coaching victory. In total, he has guided the Grizzlies to five conference championships, four league tournament titles, five appearances in the NCAA Division III national tournament and one in the NAIA national tournament. In 2024, Prather was inducted into the Franklin College Athletic Hall of Fame.

He is a graduate of Indiana University with an undergraduate degree in English and a master’s degree in education. In 1999, he was named an associate alumnus of Franklin College in recognition of his longtime service and contributions.

Prather’s wife Cindy taught elementary school for 14 years before a 23-year tenure on the faculty of the Franklin College Education Department. She was engaged in higher education consulting before returning to Franklin College, where she currently serves as Director of Teacher Education. Cindy was named an associate alumna in 2022. The Prathers are parents of two Franklin College alumni, daughter Katie (Prather) Gillaspy ’13 and son Robbie ’17.

Kerry N. Prather Bio (PDF)

Franklin College Board of Trustees extends contract of President Kerry N. Prather

President Prather’s Presidency Extended Until 2026

Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick

Franklin Chamber of Commerce – Community Leaders Panel Discussion

SOUTH magazine.

Viewpoint, Indianapolis Business Journal

Indianapolis Business Journal (PDF)

Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick

Prather’s Presidency Extended (PDF)

Celebrating Philanthropy (PDF)

Leading Through Change, a Conversation with President Kerry Prather (PDF)

The Franklin College Board of Trustees includes a maximum of 40 elected voting members, each serving a three-year term. The board’s primary roles include authority and responsibility for establishing the character, purpose and policies of the College, instituting and supporting fundraising efforts, establishing and reviewing educational programs, approving academic degrees and establishing the College’s annual budget. In addition, the board authorizes construction of new buildings and renovations on existing facilities, changes in tuition and fees, purchases of land, buildings and major equipment, and faculty-tenure appointments. All members serve on working committees in support of these areas, and there is a board chair who serves as primary liaison to the College president.

William R. Brown (FC ’61)
American United Life Insurance
One America Financial Partners, Inc.(Retired)
Indianapolis, IN

Robert A. DeVoss (FC ’69)
Retirement Management, Inc. (Retired)
Carmel, IN

Dr.Susan Johnson DeVoss (FC ’69)
(Hon. D.Hum ’14)
Chase Manhattan Bank, NY (Retired)
Fort Wayne, IN

Dr. James V. Due (FC ’82)
(Hon. D.Laws ’22)
Northern Trust
Indianapolis, IN

Dr. Christine S. Fields (FC ’74)
(Hon. D.Laws ’19)
Eli Lilly and Company (Retired)
Indianapolis, IN

Daniel P. Hann
Biomet, Inc. (Retired)
Leesburg, IN

Dr. Stephen L. Huddleston
(FC Hon. D.Laws ’06)
Huddleston and Huddleston
Franklin, IN

Michael W. O’Dell, M.D. (FC ’81)
Weill Cornell Medical Center
New York, NY

John Dwight Peterson
(FC Hon. D.H.L. ’17)
City Securities Corporation (Retired)
Zionsville, IN

Philip L. Powell  (FC ’73)
Allied Technologies Food Equipment, Inc.  (Retired)
Greenwood, IN

William J. Receveur III (FC ’72)
Realm Construction Co., Inc.
Louisville, KY

Jane (Burns) Hoffmeister Repp (FC ’60)
Naples, FL

John R. Talley
ProLiance Holdings (Retired)
Franklin, IN

Dr. Douglas L. Tillman (FC ’70)
(Hon. D.Laws ’20)
Eli Lilly and Company (Retired)
Indianapolis, IN