Finding Her Way Home

Both of Emma Sappenfield’s parents are alumni of Franklin, so being a Grizzly was practically in her blood. From a young age, Emma would attend basketball games and walk around Dame Mall with her family.  

However, Emma didn’t expect to follow that path. With interest in an academic program offered, Emma enrolled at Butler University. Within weeks, she knew the atmosphere of the large school was not for her. 

“Compared to here, you get that sense of community,” Sappenfield said. 

At Butler, Emma found herself disconnected from campus life and unsure of where she fit. The large campus size made her feel isolated.  

“It was just not the right fit for me; it was definitely a really hard time because my parents were like ‘what the heck is going on” … I just did not like it at all there,” Sappenfield said. 

When Sappenfield transferred to Franklin, everything changed. 

At Franklin, Emma joined the women’s tennis team per the recommendation of a high school friend who played the sport on campus. Sappenfield quickly embraced the sport as a new outlet that balanced her social life and competitive side. The team quickly became a source of connection and confidence for Emma. 

“It’s been, like, so great.” Sappenfield, an accounting major, said. “I’m so glad that I decided to do that because I’ve met so many cool people and it just keeps you on that routine.” 

But Emma’s growth didn’t stop there. 

Encouraged by her friends, she joined the Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) chapter on campus. Sappenfield explained that instead of the pressure or stress that she had anticipated, she received lasting friendships, leadership roles, and a strong support system. 

To her surprise, she also became an admissions ambassador — a position she would have thought she was too shy to shine in. The job not only allows Emma to talk to future Grizzlies but has also allowed her to make valuable connections to students who are similarly unsure of their future in higher education. 

“I decided to be an ambassador, which is something that I literally would have never thought, just because you have to be more outgoing, and you have to get out of your shell more,” Emma said. “I was always more shy.” 

Now, she serves as one of the welcoming faces of Franklin College, guiding other students through the campus she grew up on. With two years left, Emma wants to become the best friend, teammate, and sister she can be.  

“I just want to continue to grow and become the best version of myself every day, and the people here make that so easy,” said Sappenfield. 

By Chloe White