Franklin Hosts 158th Commencement Ceremony

Contact:

Sherry Mercurio
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations
(614) 947-6581
Email: sherry.mercurio@franklin.edu

Franklin University, one of the leading educators of working adults, will hold its 158th Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 18, 2018 at 7 p.m., during which the University’s newest degree candidates will receive their diplomas. This commencement ceremony will take place at The Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St. in downtown Columbus.

Commencement has always been a time of celebration. For Franklin University, the event marks a tremendous sense of achievement for students who completed their degrees often while juggling work, families and more. The University is proud to honor the achievements of this newest class of graduates and invites the community to join in the celebration.

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS
Ivo Ivanovski is director for Mergers and Acquisitions, International Affairs and Regulations, with A1 Telkom Austria Group, the leading provider of digital services and communication solutions in Central Eastern Europe, with more than 24 million customers in seven countries. He is also a member of the Advisory Committee of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance.

A native of Macedonia, Ivanovski spent 11 years in the United States, building his professional career, as well as his academic credentials. At Columbus-based Plaskolite Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of thermoplastic sheet products and performance-enhancing hard coatings, he worked his way from a PC tech support specialist to the director of information technology.

He returned to Macedonia in 2006, when he was appointed by the country’s prime minister and elected by its parliament as the country’s first minister of Information Society and Administration. He served as minister for 9 years and was re-appointed four times. During his political career, his achievements in information and communication technology (ICT) helped Macedonia become an ICT leader in the Balkans.

Ivanovski’s international work includes 5 years as a commissioner in the United Nations Broadband Commission for Digital Development of the International Telecommunications Union and UNESCO. In addition to chairing the Fifth World Telecommunication and Information Technology Policy Forum in Geneva, he was also awarded the ITU Silver Medal for his exceptional contribution in the field of telecommunications. In addition, Ivo took an active role as part of a high-level panel for internet governance mechanism led by Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and ICANN. 

Ivo earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering from The Ohio State University and his master’s in computer science at Franklin University.
 

Also addressing the graduates will be Amie Tope.  Amie Tope has been involved in the field of education for over 5 years. Although, she initially set out to be a teacher, she discovered the field of instructional design and fell in love. Through instructional design, she develops educational content that systematically delivers the best learning experiences. Tope has a commitment to lifelong learning and hopes to spread her passion for learning throughout the world.
 

Tope has worked at Franklin University as a graduate assistant in the International Institute for Innovative Instruction since August 2016. She credits much of her success to the opportunities that Franklin has provided for her and today, earns her M.S. in Instructional Design & Learning Technology.

Tope received her bachelor’s degree in middle childhood education from The Ohio State University and went on to complete a teacher licensure program at Capital University.

About Franklin University

Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).