Franklin College to Celebrate Inauguration of 17th President
Franklin College will celebrate the inauguration of its 17th president, Kerry N. Prather, with a number of events. The theme of the four-day celebration will be “Celebrating Legacy and Vision.” While some events are by invitation only, the following events are free and open to the public. No tickets are required to attend. Guests will be required to comply with institutional COVID restrictions in effect at that time.
Saturday, October 30, 2021
2 p.m., Inauguration of the 17th president, Kerry N. Prather, Spurlock Center.
Reservations are appreciated at www.FranklinCollege.edu/inauguration. The ceremony will be live-streamed at www.FranklinCollege.edu.
Immediately following the Inauguration Ceremony, President’s Inaugural Reception, Napolitan Student Center, Branigin Room. Reservations are appreciated at www.FranklinCollege.edu/inauguration.
Sunday, October 31, 2021
10 a.m., Inaugural Worship Service, Richardson Chapel.
For updates of all inauguration events, go to www.FranklinCollege.edu/inauguration.
Prather was appointed as Acting President in January 2020 and President one month later, with his term slated to end in June 2022. In March 2021, the Franklin College Board of Trustees announced Prather would continue to lead the institution until at least July 1, 2024.
During his tenure as the college’s president, Prather has led the way in establishing the college’s Center for Tech Innovation and the Johnson Memorial Health Athletic Annex; launched a competitive esports program on campus; and created a digital fluency initiative that serves as the capstone to the already transformative education Franklin provides. His leadership has earned the confidence of Lilly Endowment Inc., with the college being awarded a $1 million grant in 2020 to help strengthen technology integration and expand learning opportunities. He also led the college to its most successful fundraising year ever in 2020 and welcomed the largest incoming class in five years, all in the midst of a global pandemic. Prather has expanded the college’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, pledging to graduate leaders capable of and committed to making our communities, our states and our nation more fair, more just and more compassionate.
Over the duration of his 39-year Franklin College career, Prather has served as assistant dean of students, associate director of admissions, acting vice president for enrollment management and acting vice president for administration. For much of his career, he has served in executive leadership positions, including as a Cabinet officer in four administrations.
He joined the Franklin College staff in 1982 as the assistant men’s basketball coach and was promoted to head coach the following year. He was named Director of Athletics in 1989. Under his leadership, Franklin College expanded athletic opportunities for students to the current level of 21 intercollegiate sports and upgraded and built new athletic facilities throughout the campus.
In November, 2018, Prather achieved his 500th career coaching victory. In total, he has guided the Grizzlies to five conference championships, four league tournament titles, five appearances in the NCAA Division III national tournament and one in the NAIA national tournament.
He is a graduate of Indiana University with an undergraduate degree in English and a master’s degree in education. In 1999, he was named an associate alumnus of Franklin College in recognition of his longtime service and contributions.
Prather’s wife Cindy taught elementary school for 14 years before a 23-year tenure on the faculty of the Franklin College Education Department. She was engaged in higher education consulting before returning to Franklin College, where she currently serves as Director of Teacher Education. The Prathers are parents of two Franklin College alumni, daughter Katie ’13 and son Robbie ’17.
About Franklin College
Founded in 1834, Franklin College is a residential liberal arts and sciences institution located 20 minutes south of Indianapolis. Franklin offers a wide array of undergraduate majors as well as master’s degree programs in Physician Assistant Studies and Athletic Training. The unique curriculum merges classroom instruction with immersive experiences, research opportunities and study away programs. Students participate in 21 NCAA Division III sports, Greek Life, musical and theatre productions, and more than 40 student organizations. As the first college in Indiana to become coeducational with the admission of women, Franklin welcomes diversity of thought, belief and person into a community that values equity and inclusion. Franklin College maintains a voluntary association with the American Baptist Churches USA. For more information, visit www.FranklinCollege.edu. Find Franklin College on Facebook and follow @FranklinCollege on Twitter.