Lisa E. Harris, M.D., chief executive officer of Eskenazi Health, delivered the 2023 commencement address at Franklin College on Saturday, May 20, 2023, and was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters. James G. Moseley, Ph.D., retired president of Franklin College, also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters.

The college conferred 175 undergraduate degrees and 28 graduate degrees.

The ceremony was held in Spurlock Center Gymnasium and was live streamed on the college’s website.

Franklin College President Kerry N. Prather offered remarks to the Class of 2023. “Colleges are most accurately defined by the quality of their graduates. It is only by the successes of our graduates that we can confirm that we are who we say we are, and we do what we say we do. We now proudly point to you and your exciting futures as the most recent evidence of the exceptional results of a Franklin College education.

“Wherever your future may lead, I hope you will carry forth the ideals and values learned or refined here. I hope you will think broadly and deeply; speak knowledgeably, honestly and humbly; act decisively but thoughtfully; and lead confidently, ethically and fairly. I hope you will also carry forth a special love for this place that will grow stronger with each passing year. You are Grizzlies forever.”

Harris’ keynote address was titled “Better Together.” She also offered advice to the graduating class. “You are ready not simply to contribute, but to lead. But don’t go it alone. When you need help, don’t be afraid to reach out, but also reach across and compromise, reach back to help someone else along the way, and most important, reach high.”

The senior class speaker was Armani Christopher, a resident of Gary, who majored in exercise science and minored in fitness.

The top five majors in the graduating class were exercise science, business, psychology, biology and elementary education.

Preceding commencement, on Friday, May 19, the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Lynn Baskerville-Burrows gave the baccalaureate address and received an honorary doctorate of divinity degree from the college. She is an American Anglican bishop in the Episcopal Church.

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

POSTED May 20, 2023