Alumni Events
You are part of a unique group! You are one of 50,000 alumni worldwide. As part of the Franklin Alumni family we hope that you will find time to stay connected with us. One way is through events. Here are some upcoming events, please check back for specific dates as events draw near.
2026 Upcoming Events
Previous Events
ENERGY, Chad Willett
January 25, 2022
The Alumni Engagement Series hosted national known speaker Chad Willett as he helps kickoff the new year with his program on "Energy."
This keynote address will help you begin feeding the "Dog of Courage" and the "Dog of Creativity" more often, more regularly, and more consistently. As a result, you will have increased energy levels, a more positive mindset, and increase your risk-taking abilities to begin unleashing your inner creativity and innovation in 2022 and beyond!
Black History Month: Stories of Success with Christie Angel
February 22, 2022
Franklin University’s Alumni Speaker Series celebrated Black History Month with Stories of Success, featuring guest alumna Christie Angel, President and CEO of the YWCA Columbus.
This virtual program will focused on Christie Angel’s success within government and public affairs, along with her current leadership as the President and CEO of the YWCA Columbus.
The session explored how Christie’s upbringing grew her passion for community service and set her on a road of helping others. Gaining insights on how to turn your passion into a career, tips on servant leadership and how to create and environment for others to be at their best!
Meet the Speaker:
Christie Angel
President and CEO of the YWCA Columbus
Christie Angel joined the YWCA Columbus, one of Central Ohio’s most respected social justice organizations, in 2017 as Chief Executive Officer.
Christie leverages her change management and community experience after working more than two decades in the private and public sectors of Columbus. Under her leadership the YWCA Family Center for homeless families received a $2.5 million dollar grant from the Day 1 Family Fund to provide innovative rehousing services to homeless families. Angel is now boldly guiding the agency through the COVID-19 pandemic and the current social justice movement with the transformation of the agency’s Leadership & Social Justice Department and the launch of a new racial equity training program.
Prior to joining the YWCA Columbus, Angel was principal of government relations and public affairs for Calfee Strategic Solutions and was the deputy chief of staff and external affairs and services director to former Columbus Mayor Michel B. Coleman where she served as a chief advisor to then Mayor Coleman on government relations, business, non-profit and community matters. Christie also worked in the corporate government and community relations field for a Fortune 10 telecommunications company and a boutique consulting firm.
Christie is an active and engaged member of Columbus’ civic and business communities, serving on the boards of Campus Partners for Community Urban Redevelopment, Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, the Greater Columbus Arts Council and the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County. She’s also a member of the Columbus Chapter of the Links, Inc. and the International Women’s Forum.
Women's History Month: Stages of Leadership: Women in Leadership Panel
March 21, 2022
The Office of Community Relations celebrated Women’s History Month with Stages of Leadership: Women in Leadership Panel. Learn about the challenges, successes and key principles of being a leader from those who are at various points in their career.
Panelists Include:
- Sherry Mercurio (Moderator) - Executive Director, Community Relations, Franklin University
- Jane Robinson - Adjunct Professor, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff (retired), Franklin University
- Heather Cassady - Senior Project Manager, Turner Construction Company
- Madeline Sweeney - Business Manager, Red Door Interactive
This session had something to offer for all our alumni, whether you’re looking for inspiration to fuel your own leadership journey or ways you can better support your colleagues, mentor team members or be a resource for family members or friends.
Transformational and Servant Leadership for the 21st Century, with Dr. Tim Reymann
April 14, 2022
This virtual session focused on the development and application of several key 21st century leadership theories as highly-effective and essential practices for today’s leaders, managers and followers alike. Specifically, the importance of understanding and applying the underpinnings of transformative and servant leadership practices in the workplace will be explained in detailed models and scenarios for attendees to benefit from this knowledge in their daily organizational behaviors and activities.
Attendees were provided with the opportunity to discuss, assess, plus, provide real-world scenarios as highly-effective leadership examples and questions. Materials provided summations of exemplary key leadership principles and practices for application.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the effectiveness of transformational and servant leadership’s competencies in management.
- Demonstrate how followers are developed into leaders in today’s business operations.
- Apply the attributes and skills of emotional intelligence as a leadership practice for success.
- Discuss the range of leadership theories for narrowing into a skillset for an exemplary 21st century leader and follower.
Dr. Reymann has served as a faculty member of Franklin University for over 25 years. He has chaired the university’s Doctor of Business Administration program for the past four years and prior to that has served a Program Chair for multiple university Business Administration related undergraduate programs. Prior to joining Franklin University, Dr. Reymann served as President for multiple non-profit agencies across greater Ohio.
Dr. Reymann holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Management from Capella University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Franklin University’s Charter MBA class.
Instead of just adding mindfulness to the list of things we need to do to be healthy, you can find ways to apply it to the obstacles related to taking better care of yourself. Learn how to apply mindfulness-related insights and strategies to eating healthier, exercising more often, and getting better sleep.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Learn a flexible, doable way to approach mindfulness practice
- Explore mindfulness as a tool for supporting other self-case efforts
- Identify a mindful habit to test in your own life for a healthier new year
Daron Larson is a mindfulness coach who guides people who seek deeper focus, self-awareness, and resiliency. He has practiced mindfulness daily since 2002 and brings his personal expertise and in-depth training to individuals, small groups, and organizations. His Attentional Fitness approach to mindfulness goes beyond breath awareness and trying to be calm when you’re not. Like a personal trainer, Daron provides personalized guidance, exercises, and encouragement to help people go beyond what they could do on their own.
- Speaker bio: https://speakerhub.com/speaker/daron-larson
- Website: http://daronlarson.com
- TEDx Talk: bit.ly/TEDxColumbusDaron
- New Insight Timer Course: bit.ly/SpyMindfulness