Franklin University Honors Oyauma Garrison with Social Impact Alumni Award at 179th Commencement

Contact:

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

Franklin University proudly celebrated its 179th Commencement on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 2 p.m. (ET), recognizing the accomplishments of its graduates and honoring distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions to their communities.

This year, the University presented the Social Impact Alumni Award to Oyauma Garrison, president and CEO of Maryhaven, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families overcome addiction and mental health challenges through education, treatment, and support.

Oyauma Garrison brings a wealth of leadership experience from both the nonprofit and corporate sectors. Before leading Maryhaven, he served as national president and CEO of A Kid Again, expanding the organization’s reach from one state to all 50 states and Washington, D.C. within five years. His two decades of experience also include leadership roles at major insurance companies such as State Farm, Nationwide, Allstate, and Jacobson.

Throughout his career, Oyauma has earned numerous accolades for his leadership and community service, including the U.S. Presidential Gold Standard Award for Service in 2014 and an honorary doctorate from Franklin University in 2019. He also holds an MBA from Franklin and a bachelor’s degree from Denison University.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Oyauma is a proud father of four children and continues to serve on various boards, including as chair of the Buckeye Mutual Insurance Company and as a past chair for several United Way committees.

The Social Impact Alumni Award recognizes Franklin University graduates who exemplify the University’s mission through meaningful contributions to society, demonstrating leadership and commitment to making a difference.

About Franklin University Alumni Awards
Franklin University’s Alumni Awards program celebrates alumni who have demonstrated excellence in professional achievement, social impact, and service to the University community. These awards are presented at each Commencement ceremony, highlighting the inspiring stories of Franklin’s graduates.

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).