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Columbus, Ohio —Franklin University, one of the leading educators of working adults, is pleased to announce the unveiling of its newest statue dedicated to the diversity of the University’s student population.
As an educator of working adults, Franklin’s student body is different than students found at many traditional universities. Franklin students often balance work and family with earning a degree. Nonetheless, many Franklin students find the time to not only study but take on leadership roles. One such student, Pamela Watkins, so dramatically stood out as a student dedicated to leading that she was approached by Dr. Paul Otte, Executive Director of the Leadership Center, to serve as the model for the University’s third student statue.
Dr. Otte first met Watkins while teaching her Organizational Leadership course. Recognizing her abilities, he asked Watkins to become a contributing writer to the Leadership Center’s online presentations library. Embracing this task, Watkins began attending the monthly Hall Leadership Lesson forums and annual Raymond G. Mason Jr. Leadership Symposium, further expanding the development of her leadership skills while completing her graduate studies at Franklin. In addition to earning her B.S. in Organizational Leadership (2008), Watkins also received her Master of Science degree in Marketing & Communications in 2009.
In keeping with Watkins’ and the University’s commitment to leadership, the new statue was dedicated in April 2010, in Franklin’s Alumni Hall during the monthly Hall Leadership Lessons session.
As part of an initiative begun in 2006, Franklin University commissioned sculptor Gary Ross to create a series of life-size statues in the likeness of the University’s students to serve as lasting physical reminders of the global diversity of Franklin University’s students.
In July 2007, the University dedicated the first two statues in this series by honoring Franklin online graduates SGM Scott Martin (eArmyU) and Linda Peltier (Community College Alliance).
The statues are meant to provide a very real connection for Franklin’s on-campus students to University alumni and to those students who share their classes with students from other states and around the globe.
About the Sculptor
Gary Ross works with a variety of materials, from cast bronze and resins to carved wood and stone. Ross has not limited his career to sculpting. Over the years, he has shared his artistic talents with others through teaching in the Columbus Public Schools, the Columbus College of Art & Design, and for nearly four decades at Capital University.
To date, Ross has over 500 portrait sculptures located on three continents and has made over 60 life-size or larger sculptures and several bronze reliefs. He has held several one-man shows in venues such as the Zanesville Art Center, the Huntington Gallery and Gallery 200. He has participated in group shows such as the Faculty Shows held in Schumacher Gallery at Capital University, the Greater Columbus Arts Festival, the Columbus League shows, and the Hoyt Sherman Gallery at The Ohio State University. His works have been recognized in the form of numerous awards, including the Ohio Exposition Award for Sculpture, the Columbus Museum of Art Award for Graphics, and the Columbus Art League Prize for Sculpture.
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About Franklin University
Founded in 1902, Franklin University is one of the leading and most experienced educators of adult students. Annually, more than 11,000 students attend Franklin, both at its Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, three Central Ohio locations, and at its newest location in Indianapolis, in addition to online. Franklin offers 27 undergraduate majors (including three new available Fall 2010) as well as three graduate programs and graduates more than 1,500 students annually. The University’s MBA program is offered internationally through agreements with institutions in Europe and the Far East. Further information regarding Franklin University can be found at www.franklin.edu.
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