Fall 2019 Robert L. Bailey Teaching Award Recipients Announced

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 in central Ohio, celebrated its 163rd Commencement on Sunday, Jan. 5. Along with honoring the graduates, Franklin recognized Dr. Amy Eaton and Dr. Brenda L. Jones, from its faculty as recipients of the distinguished Robert L. Bailey Teaching Award.

Congratulations to this trimester’s recipients: Dr. Amy Eaton, undergraduate faculty and Dr. Brenda Jones, assistant dean, faculty & instruction.

Dr. Amy Eaton has been an adjunct professor at Franklin University for nearly 20 years. During that time, she has facilitated courses in professional foundations, human resource management, business administration and applied management. 

Amy earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on human resource management and psychology. She also holds an MBA in Organizational Leadership as well as a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Strategic Human Resources. 

Her professional career includes over 25 years of experience in corporate human resources with much of that time focusing on employee benefit plan design, administration and negotiations. Amy has earned several professional designations including Senior Professional in Human Resources, Certified Employee Benefit Specialist, and the SHRM Senior Certified Professional. Additionally, in 2012 she was the recipient of Franklin University’s Silver S.T.A.R Award in recognition of her hard work and dedication to our students.

Dr. Brenda L. Jones is the assistant dean for faculty and instruction, supporting student-centered education at all academic levels. A full-time faculty member at Franklin since 2007, Dr. Jones has also taught in Poland, Oman and South Korea. Her teaching style is that of a coach and mentor, inviting learners to be co-constructors of knowledge and the learning experience as they develop career-relevant skills. She has taught a wide variety of courses including undergraduate communication courses and graduate courses in the MBA, Marketing & Communication, and Business Psychology programs. 

Brenda earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Communication, with a minor in industrial and organizational psychology, from The Ohio State University. She also holds master’s degrees in business psychology and communication. Prior to pursuing a career in higher education, Brenda worked for two international companies, ITW-Nifco and Electronic Data Systems. She has served in several leadership roles for professional association executive boards, as well as Franklin University’s Faculty Senate.

About the Robert L. Bailey Teaching Award
Each trimester, two faculty members are honored with the Robert L. Bailey Teaching Award. Graduating students are asked to identify one undergraduate and one graduate faculty member who had the most significant influence on them throughout their educational experience at Franklin University. The award recognizes those who have challenged students intellectually and guided them in finding the significance of the course content as it relates to them both personally and professionally. 

While more than 100 graduate and undergraduate faculty members are nominated each trimester – clearly showing the magnitude of interaction between students and faculty at Franklin University – the faculty members receiving the most nominations are awarded this honor. 

These awards are funded through an endowment established by State Auto Insurance Companies in recognition of Robert L. Bailey, who served State Auto for 28 years in various positions, including President, CEO, and Chairman, until his retirement in 2000. Bailey is also a past Chair and a Trustee Emeritus of Franklin University’s Board of Trustees. 
 

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).