Franklin College Receives Grant from Branigin Foundation
Franklin College has received a $52,500 grant from the Elba L. and Gene Portteus Branigin Foundation. The funds will be used to enhance the College’s Branigin Engaged Learning Program.
The program connects prospective and current students and alumni with meaningful engaged learning experiences both in and out of the classroom. The Foundation’s support will help faculty continue to work with high school educators and students, enhance its Model UN program and expand resources for its popular Exercise Science major. It will also help refresh the Student and Alumni Networking Event, upgrade the Center for Tech Innovation (CTI), and support a multicultural celebration for the College’s international students.
Franklin College President Kerry N. Prather shared his appreciation for the long-standing partnership with the Branigin Foundation, saying, “The Branigin Foundation has been a consistent and enthusiastic source of support for Franklin College for many years. The Foundation’s continued generosity for engaged learning activities has helped us solidify active, immersive teaching and learning as the distinctive way we deliver the liberal arts experience. We look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership with the Branigin Foundation to benefit future generations of Franklin College students.”
In 2016, the Branigin Foundation provided a grant of $100,000 to establish the Elba L. and Gene Portteus Branigin Engaged Learning Program at Franklin College. The funding allowed the College to expand its distinctive engaged learning opportunities for students, a hallmark of the Franklin College experience. In 2023, the College received an additional grant in the amount of $50,000 from the Foundation. Those funds were used to continue the Branigin Engaged Learning Program, building out opportunities for entrepreneurial programming and supporting a new focus on department-specific outreach activities to Hoosier high school students.
Franklin College prioritizes active, engaged learning experiences at the core of its curriculum. The Branigin Engaged Learning Program helps the College provide unique experiential opportunities in many areas, including undergraduate research and professional development.
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, Kristin C. Flora, Ph.D., shared her appreciation, stating, “This funding supports critical initiatives that help us attract and retain students, address Indiana’s college enrollment challenges, and create meaningful learning experiences for our students. These opportunities are integral to the transformative education that Franklin College is proud to provide. We are deeply grateful for the support by the Foundation that makes these efforts possible.”
For more information, contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185.
About Elba L. and Gene Portteus Branigin Foundation
The Elba L. and Gene Portteus Branigin Foundation was created in 1986 by Gene Portteus Branigin. The Foundation encourages and supports civic, educational, charitable, religious and public benefit organizations located primarily in Johnson County and Central Indiana. The Foundation continues the Branigins’ legacy of providing financial support for the organizations that help enrich the lives of Hoosiers.