Franklin University Alumni Awards

Franklin University Alumni Awards – Recognizing Alumni Achievements

The Franklin University Alumni Awards have been established to recognize the many achievements of Franklin University alumni, both professionally and personally. 

With one category awarded each term, winners will be recognized during corresponding commencement ceremonies.

The Awards consist of three (3) categories Franklin University Alumni Award for Professional Excellence, Franklin University Alumni of the Year Award, and Franklin University Alumni Award for Social Impact, and are open to Franklin University alumni. The Franklin University Alumni Advisory Council will consider nominations and applications and will make its recommendations to the University’s president for approval. 

Alumni of the Year Award

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The Alumni of the Year award will be awarded to an outstanding alumnus who has given time, talent or treasure to the University in an elevated way; and who makes an impact on current students.

Leslie Weibush

"Leslie Weibush is a strategic, execution-focused technical program leader with deep experience driving complex, multi-team initiatives across AI, data infrastructure, enterprise IT and large-scale operational programs. She brings clarity to complexity, aligning diverse stakeholders, translating technical work into measurable outcomes, and delivering programs from vision through execution. In her current role as a technical program manager at Ensono, Leslie partners with AI/ML engineers, data teams, software developers and operations leaders to deliver high-impact, AI-first programs. She brings structure to technical initiatives by defining program strategy, clarifying scope, establishing governance, and ensuring sustained alignment across cross-functional teams. "

Alumni Award for Social Impact

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The Alumni Award for Social Impact will be awarded to an outstanding alumnus who demonstrates the positive impact they have had on a/the community through their work in social innovation within the profit, non-profit or public sector; or who demonstrates a significant, long-term impact of their contribution to the Community and University. Evidence of impact may include but is not limited to a demonstrated positive impact on a community arising from social innovation; including, but not limited to; social enterprise, corporate social responsibility, volunteerism, and community development, and verification of enduring and positive outcomes for the community and University.

Oyauma Garrison

"Oyauma Garrison is the president and chief executive officer (CEO) at Maryhaven, Inc., a nonprofit organization that helps individuals and families lead healthy lives free from addiction and mental health challenges by providing education, treatment and support. A former insurance company executive with more than 20 years of combined experience at State Farm, Nationwide, Allstate and Jacobson, Oyauma has received numerous awards for leadership and community service. He received an honorary doctorate degree from Franklin in 2019. In 2021, he received Denison University’s highest alumni honor, an Alumni Citation. He delivered his first TED Talk on corporate social responsibility in 2016, and has been featured in several publications. Among his many recognitions is the U.S. Presidential 2014 Gold Standard Award for Service. Oyauma earned his bachelor’s degree from Denison and his MBA from Franklin. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Oyauma is the proud father of four: Mya, Cameron, Carter and Ava. "

Alumni Award for Professional Excellence

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The Alumni Award for Professional Excellence will be awarded to an outstanding alumnus who has achieved sustained success throughout their career that is noteworthy and exceptional, demonstrated sustained contribution to their profession at local, national and international levels, and raised their profile and standing within their community, country, or internationally and bring greater recognition to their profession.

Dr. David Paitson

"Dr. David Paitson oversees all aspects of the Columbus Fury’s business and volleyball operations, marking the seventh start-up he has been a part of in the sports space. Dr. Paitson, who served as both vice president of marketing and vice president of ticket sales during his more than 10 years with the Columbus Blue Jackets, was also the president and general manager of the beloved Columbus Chill. A versatile leader within the sports space with expertise and successful experience in the areas of marketing, communications, sales and operations, Dr. Paitson’s career includes a rare combination of meaningful experience in major/minor league sports, intercollegiate athletics and academics."

Previous Winners

Inaugural Alumni of the Year Award Winner

Philip Fankhauser

Inaugural Winner - Alumni Award for Professional Excellence

Matthew W. McCrystal

Inaugural Winner - Alumni Award for Social Impact

Brandon Curry

Alumni of the Year Award Winner

Misti Norman

Alumni Award for Social Impact

Dr. Bryanna Stigger

Alumni Award for Professional Excellence

Thomas Wolf

Alumni of the Year Award Winner

Robert Coles

Alumni Award for Social Impact

Norman Nixon

Alumni Award for Professional Excellence

Dori Dils

Alumni of the Year Award Winner

Matina and Zenios Zenios