Franklin University Celebrates Historic 178th Commencement, Marking New Milestones in Educational Excellence

Contact:

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

Franklin University, a leader in providing education for working adults, will host its 178th Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at 2 p.m. (ET) at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Battelle Grand Ballroom, 400 N. High St., in downtown Columbus.

This historic ceremony continues Franklin’s remarkable journey of growth and success, marking the University’s largest group of graduates walking in its 123-year history. Each year, Franklin sets a new benchmark for achievement, with this year’s commencement surpassing previous milestones and further solidifying the institution’s status as a leader in adult education.

The ceremony will celebrate the achievements of graduates who come from diverse educational paths, including nearly 40 Pathway Portal graduates. These students exemplify the success of Franklin's strategic partnerships with community colleges, such as Butler County Community College, Owens Community College, Eastern West Virginia Community College, and Washington State Community College, who are celebrating their first graduates through the Pathway Portal. This program continues to play a pivotal role in providing students with a seamless transfer process and access to one of the nation’s most transfer-friendly programs.

Also joining the celebration are nine graduates of the Huntington Exact Track program, a collaboration with Huntington National Bank, demonstrating Franklin’s commitment to corporate partnerships that empower employees to advance their careers through higher education.

Graduating Student Speaker
Aba Azeem is a dedicated leader and community advocate. Professionally, she has spent over a decade in recruiting and talent development, creating mentorship programs, and building employee growth and leadership initiatives at organizations including PricewaterhouseCoopers and Rockwell Automation. Recently, she launched Mahogany Search Partners, an executive search firm focused on helping professionals navigate leadership roles and career transitions while fostering environments where employees feel safe, supported and equipped to thrive.

As an undergraduate student at The Ohio State University, she launched and served as president of the collegiate chapter of Eritreans for Education, creating a safe space for underprivileged students to explore East African culture while accessing academic support and guidance. She also chaired programs for one of the university’s signature student-led events, the African American Heritage Festival, and served as vice president of Delta Sigma Theta, where she championed the values of scholarship, sisterhood and service. After college, Aba continued her advocacy by organizing fundraising events for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and chairing the Create Columbus Commission. She also organized community educational events and hosted the Black Women's March at City Hall. Additionally, she was appointed to the Chief of Police Advisory Panel, where she provided input on public safety strategies and worked to strengthen community relationships.

A first-generation college student, Aba received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Ohio State. By earning her MBA with a Specialization in Organizational Leadership, she becomes the first person in her family to earn a graduate degree. Aba and her husband, Vada, live in Columbus, Ohio, with their sons, Luca and Peyton.

Event Details
The ceremony will be available for live stream on the University’s Commencement page for family and friends who cannot attend in person. The ceremony will also be recorded and made available for graduates to relive the day’s celebrations and share their accomplishments with loved ones: franklin.edu/commencement. 

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).