Franklin University Marks 181st Fall Commencement on January 11

Contact:

Chelsey Lloyd
Associate Director of Public Relations
(614) 947-6047
Email: chelsey.lloyd@franklin.edu

Contact:

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

Franklin University will celebrate its 181st Fall Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m. (ET) at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

This Fall ceremony recognizes graduates whose educational journeys reflect Franklin’s mission in action, students who advanced their academic goals while balancing careers, family responsibilities, and commitments to their communities. Graduates will be joined by family, friends, and the Franklin community to mark the completion of an important personal and professional milestone.

Among those represented within this Commencement ceremony are nearly 120 Pathway Portal students, including the University’s first-ever graduates from Hocking College. Franklin University's Pathway Portal is a unique, student-first platform that shows students from partner community colleges exactly how their credits transfer, maps a clear path to degree completion, and helps them move forward faster, with confidence, clarity, and fewer barriers, at a discounted tuition rate. Since its launch, the Pathway Portal has supported nearly 7,000 students nationwide, expanding access to higher education through strong institutional partnerships.

The student address will be delivered by Heather Biddle, who is completing her bachelor’s degree in marketing. Heather brings more than a decade of experience supporting executive leaders in higher education through roles in admissions, administration, and student services. Her professional background helped shape a passion for connecting individuals with opportunities that align with their personal and academic goals. With a foundation in marketing, she focuses on clear, intentional communication to guide others toward the right resources. Heather plans to pursue a master’s degree as she continues her career in higher education.

Event Details
The ceremony will be livestreamed at franklin.edu/commencement, with a recording available following the event for graduates to share with family and friends.

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).