Scholar, Athlete and (Now) Researcher

Wesley Carter ’28 came to Franklin College because it gave him the opportunity to continue playing football while pursuing his education. A first-generation college student and chemistry major, he was drawn to Franklin by the welcoming community and the opportunities available both inside and outside the classroom. What he didn’t realize at the time was that some of his most impactful experiences would take place in a research lab.

That opportunity came through the Franklin College B2S Life Sciences Career Development Fellowship, a three-year program that pairs science students with B2S Life Sciences, a local biotherapeutic company that helps drug developers improve their testing methods for hands-on job training and financial support. After being encouraged by Professor Florian to apply, Wesley decided to take a chance and it paid off.

Through the fellowship, Wesley prepares buffers and solutions, performs titer testing and processes serum samples, applying concepts from his chemistry courses in a real-world setting. His dedication earned him the opportunity to continue in the lab over the summer, where he conducted a project involving the extraction of antibodies from chicken eggs — work that so impressed the team that B2S has already extended him a post-graduation offer.

The experience has strengthened Wesley’s interest in laboratory research and helped him envision a future career in science. Looking back, he is especially grateful for the scholarships that made attending a private college possible.

“Without scholarships, Franklin wouldn’t have been an option.”

By Kaitlyn Cullers ’27