Dear Franklin College Community,

As we approach June 19^th, I want to take a moment to recognize its significance. Also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they were free.

Juneteenth has been celebrated by African Americans for more than 150 years, but it was not until recently that it gained broader recognition. It was designated as a federal holiday in 2021. On June 19^th, it is important that we take time to reflect on the significance of the day and what it represents. I encourage all members of the college community to contemplate the history and legacy of slavery in our country as well as the progress made and still sought today to “form a more perfect union.”

We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming college community where all individuals are recognized, valued and respected. Franklin College celebrates the many achievements of our Black alumni, faculty, staff and students dating back to our first Black graduate, Arthur Wilson, in 1902. In honor of the Juneteenth federal holiday, the College will be closed on June 19, 2023.

Kerry N. Prather │ President

POSTED Jun 16, 2023