Summer '20 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, celebrates its 165th Virtual Commencement on Friday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. (EDT). Along with honoring the graduates, Franklin recognizes Rachel Choudhury and Bruce Trumm, from its faculty as recipients of the distinguished Robert L. Bailey Teaching Award.

Congratulations to this trimester’s recipients: Rachel Choudhury, adjunct nursing faculty, and Bruce Trumm, adjunct marketing faculty.

Rachel Choudhury has been an adjunct faculty member at Franklin since 2012. During her time with Franklin, she has taught undergraduate nursing courses domestically and internationally. Her teaching approach includes mentoring and role modeling excellence in nursing care, leadership and education.

Rachel graduated from Otterbein University in 2008 with her master’s degree in nursing administration. She is currently conducting her dissertation as part of the Doctor of Healthcare Administration program at Franklin. In her 20 years as a professional nurse, Rachel worked as a staff nurse in general medical-surgical and oncology specialties, and served as a clinical educator for one of Columbus’ major hospital systems. Over the last 10 years, Rachel has focused on nursing education and leadership roles, currently serving as the vice dean of online nursing programs for a for-profit college in southern California. To promote nursing initiatives at national and international levels, Rachel serves in leadership roles and on committees with several professional nursing organizations.

Bruce Trumm has been an adjunct instructor at Franklin since 2004. During his time with Franklin he has taught undergraduate and graduate business classes with an emphasis on marketing and international business. He also has served as a visiting scholar at the Modern College of Business and Science in Muscat, Oman, and is currently a content expert in undergraduate global marketing and a certified instructional coach at Franklin.

Bruce graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from Union College in Schenectady, New York, He served three years with the U.S. Army that included time as a battery commander on the DMZ in South Korea in 1970. He earned an MBA from the University of Toledo, and is currently a student in the Doctor of Business Administration program at Franklin. His business career includes 28 years of national and international executive experience in healthcare management, primarily with Abbott. In addition, he has 27 years of board experience in nonprofit organizations. He resides in Ladera Ranch, California, and his interests include marathon running and world travel.

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).