Franklin Hosts a Historic 176th Commencement Ceremony, Celebrating Many Noteworthy Achievements

Contact:

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

Franklin University, one of the leading educators of working adults, will hold its 176th Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 2 p.m. (ET), during which the University’s newest degree candidates will receive their diplomas. This commencement ceremony will take place at The Greater Columbus Convention Center, Battelle Grand Ballroom, 400 N. High St. in downtown Columbus.

As Franklin honors the achievements of its newest class of graduates, which include one of its youngest CCP graduates, participants of the City of Columbus Earn + Learn cohorts who will graduate with master’s degrees in Data Analytics, Human Resource Management, Business Administration, and Public Administration, graduates of its Earn + Learn cohorts with OhioHealth graduating with master’s degrees in Health Administration and Business Administration. The inaugural class of Franklin's M.S. in Nursing-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN-PMHNP) degree program will also join in the momentous occasion.

Through the graduates noted above and all graduates earning degrees across associates, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, the University will once again break its own record by celebrating its largest number of graduates earning a degree, and the largest number of graduates participating in the Commencement ceremony in the University’s 122-year history. These milestones reflect the University’s continued growth in enrollment, partnerships, and academic offerings.

While commemorating these remarkable achievements, the University extends its heartfelt congratulations to all who have played a part in reaching these milestones - its graduates, faculty, staff, community, and supporters. Thank you for your dedication, passion, and commitment, which have been instrumental in making these accomplishments possible.

Commencement Speaker
Charleta B. Tavares is the CEO of PrimaryOne Health, the oldest and largest federally qualified health center in central Ohio. The $43 million community health center serves more than 41,000 patients in Franklin and Pickaway counties. The organization, which provides comprehensive primary care, also initiated the evidence-based CenteringPregnancy® program to address infant mortality and was the first to pilot the Food Rx program with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. With 13 sites and four mobile health centers, PrimaryOne Health has grown tremendously under Tavares’ leadership.

Charleta is actively involved in the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers, serving on the organization’s board, as well as its Policy and Workforce committees. Tavares is also active with the National Association of Community Health Centers as a member of the Legislative, Healthcare for People Experiencing Homelessness, and Policy committees, as well as the Subcommittee on Healthy Aging.

Tavares previously served as the executive director of the Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC). MACC is a statewide nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of care in Ohio’s healthcare system and to incorporate culturally competent models of practice into the systems and organizations that provide services to Ohio's diverse populations.

She currently serves on the boards of Lifeline of Ohio, Human Service Chamber, Ohio Association of Community Health Centers, Rise Together Innovation Institute, Health Impact Ohio, and Homeport. She chairs the Ohio Elections Commission and is an adjunct faculty member for the Kent State University-Columbus Program.

Tavares is also a former elected official who held leadership roles in both houses of Ohio’s General Assembly. She is a native of Columbus and attended Spelman College and The Ohio State University.

Note: The Spring 2024 commencement ceremony will be streamed live for those families and friends who wish to watch the ceremony from home. A link to access the live stream will be made available on the Graduation Information page (franklin.edu/commencement) at 2 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, June 2, 2024.

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).