(Left to Right) Svetlana Rakic, Sherri Hall, Steven Scheer

Franklin College announces the retirement of three beloved professors, Sherri Hall, Svetlana Rakic and Steven Scheer, who dedicated their time, talent and hearts to Franklin College.

Sherri Hall, Associate Professor of Education

Sherri Hall retired in May 2024 as an associate professor of education. She joined the Franklin College faculty in 2002. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Heidelberg College and her master’s degree from Bowling Green State University. Hall spent 22 years preparing the minds of future educators, specializing in English and language arts secondary education.

Hall also contributed outside of the classroom. For years, she served as the campus adviser to the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, earning the honor of National Adviser of the Year for the fraternity seven times. In addition, she and her husband, Ellis Hall, retired vice president of student affairs and dean of the students at Franklin College, generously supported the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, which was established on campus in 2017.

Cindy Prather, director of teacher education and licensing adviser, commented on the impact of Hall’s retirement. “We have been close education department colleagues for most of those years. When secondary education alumni are asked about influential instructors in their teaching preparation, they often cite Professor Hall.”

Hall is a resident of Franklin.

Svetlana Rakic, Ph.D. Professor of Art

Svetlana Rakic, Ph.D., retired as professor of art in December 2023 after devoting 27 years to Franklin College. Rakic earned her master’s degree in art history from the University of Belgrade in Serbia and her doctorate in art history from Indiana University. She has shared her expertise in art history, painting and drawing with her students and the community. She served as the chair of the art department for over a decade. Rakic is grateful to the college for the chance to develop professionally and for a successful career as a professor.

When Rakic first came to Franklin College, she was the only art professor and art was only offered as a minor. During the last 27 years, she played a key role in the department’s growth.

“Since 1996, she has shared her passion for art history and studio art with students, igniting their curiosity and nurturing their talents. With her guidance, the art department has flourished, expanding from a few classes to six art majors and three minors, leaving an indelible mark on the college’s academic landscape,” said Randi Frye, assistant professor of art.

Frye also noted Rakics’ numerous scholarly contributions throughout her career. “Her scholarly contributions have earned her accolades and recognition from prestigious institutions and organizations around the world, from the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. to the British Academy in London.” Rakic also guest taught at two universities in China.

In addition to creating art, Rakic was also an author. She produced several books on Serbian Orthodox icons and the interrelatedness of modern art and religious thought. Over the course of her Franklin College career, she was recognized by her colleagues numerous times with coveted annual awards for excellence in teaching and scholarship. At the 2024 Franklin College Commencement, she was recognized one final time with the designation of Professor Emerita of Art.

Rakic is a resident of Bloomington.

Steven Scheer, DBA, Associate Professor of Economics and Business

 Steven Scheer, DBA, retired in May 2024 as an associate professor of economics and business. He joined the Franklin College faculty in 2011. Scheer received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, his master’s degree from St. Francis College, and his Doctor of Business Administration from Anderson University.

During his 14 years at Franklin College, Scheer shared his expertise on a wide range of subjects, including business management, worker motivation, management from for-profit, non-profit and public administration perspectives, and applied managerial economics. Scheer was known by students for interweaving practical life advice with the technical information delivered in his courses, and for his creative use of acronyms. He served as the chair of the economics, business and accounting department.

Scheer is the author of an educational publication, “The A-B-C’s of MGT” for the ORG, 2^nd edition published in 2015. He has also been the presenter of “Liberal Arts’ Unconventional Defense Team” in Lexington, KY and “The linkage of market failure regulation to biblically informed ethical principle” in Virginia Beach, VA.

“Dr. Scheer has been a wonderful leader, colleague, and mentor for many faculty in the economics, business, and accounting department. He is full of vibrant life, endless ideas, and is always up for lightening the mood with a quick joke or witty statement,” said Emily Jones, associate professor of accounting.

Scheer is a resident of Franklin.

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

POSTED Jul 1, 2024