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.

Matina and Zenios Zenios

"Matina and Zenios Zenios are recognized as the Franklin University Alumni of the Year in recognition of their outstanding contributions to both the university and the broader community. Matina is the President and second-generation Owner of her family business, Artina Promotional Products that was founded in 1967. She also co-founded The Artina Choose Kind Foundation in 2019, which is the charitable side of the business that provides grants to local nonprofits that help to lessen the suffering and give strength and hope to those in need. Zenios is the President and Owner of 3 Piller Homes. Now in its 25th year, 3 Piller homes has been honored as central Ohio’s #1 custom homebuilder. 3 Piller homes is named after the important values Zenios learned from his father: Honor, Quality, and Design. "

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.

Dori Dils

"Dorrie Dils was named president and CEO of Gift of Life Michigan in 2016. As the leader of the nation’s 11th-largest organ and tissue program, Dils oversees a staff of more than 400 professionals who work statewide to help fulfill the decisions of organ and tissue donors and their families. In June of this year, Dils became the president of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations, which represents 48 of the nation’s 56 organ donor programs. In that role, she will work on national issues that impact organ donation to increase donation and save the lives of the more than 100,000 people waiting for an organ transplant."

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