Franklin University Celebrated its Third Annual Alumni Award for Social Impact

Contact:

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

FFranklin University, one of the leading educators of working adults in central Ohio, celebrated its 176th Commencement on Sunday, June 2, 2024. Along with honoring the graduates, the University recognized Norman David Nixon Sr. with the Alumni Award for Social Impact.

The Rev. Norman David Nixon Sr. is a native of Washington, D.C. He earned his associate degree in business management from Eastern Gateway Community College and his B.S. Social Sciences (’22) at Franklin University.

Norman is a student success specialist for the Community College Preparatory Academy Public Charter School. Nixon also served as the youth constituent services coordinator for the Office of the Mayor in Washington, D.C., and as the director of Marion Barry’s Youth Leadership Institute.

The Rev. Nixon is currently the president of the Mayor's Youth Leadership Institute Alumni Association, a nonprofit corporation that has provided $100,000 in college scholarships and financial support for youth programs. He serves on committees that sponsor the district’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest and Youth Recognition Awards, and the Marion Barry Youth Oratorical Competition. He attends Union Temple Baptist Church, where he serves as an associate minister and coordinates men’s ministry activities.

In 1981, Norman became the youngest person to hold an elected office in Washington, D.C. when, at the age of 18, he was elected by voters as a delegate to the DC Statehood Constitutional Convention. Nixon has been an outspoken advocate for causes like DC statehood, the free South Africa movement and gun control. He successfully led efforts against raising student bus fares, which are now free, closing music and dance hall establishments, and cuts to summer jobs.

Congratulations, Norman!

About the Franklin University Alumni Awards
The Franklin University Alumni Awards were created to recognize the many achievements of Franklin University alumni, both professionally and personally. The awards, open to all alumni, distinguish accomplishments in three categories: professional excellence, social impact, and alumnus of the year.

One of the three awards is announced at each of the University's Commencement ceremonies on a rotating basis. The Franklin University Alumni Advisory Council considers nominations and makes its recommendations to the University’s president for approval.

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).