July 12, 2018
Farewell reception for Bernard Franklin
Submitted by Division of Communications and Marketing
The Division of Student Life will host a farewell reception for Bernard Franklin, special assistant to the president and assistant vice president for student life, from 4-5 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at the fireplace area in the K-State Student Union.
Franklin accepted an offer from Mount St. Mary's University as the vice president for student life effective Aug. 1.
Franklin has been an assistant vice president for student life at Kansas State University since 2011 and since January, served as special assistant to help transition and support two of the university's new administrators: Bryan Samuel, university chief diversity and inclusion officer, and Adrian Rodriguez, associate vice president for diversity and program and student services. A K-State alumnus, Franklin was Kansas State University's first African-American student body president and served on many student leadership groups, including the Union Governing Board and Kansas State Collegian staff.
"Few have contributed more to our university community than Bernard," said Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students. "As student body president, Bernard set the bar high for generations of student leaders and has continued a commitment to improving students' lives ever since. He has championed student success, diversity and advocacy for this school longer than almost anyone. He has served selflessly, often leading us and other times supporting and advocating for our students and families in his dynamic, thoughtful and brilliant ways."
Franklin was one of three founders of the Staley School of Leadership Studies, and was the first director and founder of the Kauffman Foundation Project Discovery Program. Serving as executive director of the program from 2003-2006, Franklin raised the university's visibility in the Greater Kansas City area by establishing the Kansas State College Advising Corps, which advises and coaches underrepresented high school seniors. In addition, Franklin is the director of the Edgerley Franklin Scholars Program, first director of the Project Choice Program, and champion for underrepresented people raising millions of private funding for diversity, inclusion and equity.
Franklin also is the director of university programs for the Shawnee Mission School District and president of the Center for Imagineering Leadership. His additional leadership positions include president of the Junior Achievement of Middle America from 2012-2014, president of MCC Penn Valley Community College from 2006-2010, vice president and urban director for the National Center for Fathering from 1996-1999, assistant dean of student life for Kansas State University from 1990-1996, director of student activities at Rollins College from 1989-1990, and the director of student activities for the University of South Alabama from 1983-1988.
After graduation with his bachelor's degree in political science, he was appointed as the youngest member of the Kansas Board of Regents at age 24 and chair of the board at age 28. He also has a master's degree in counseling and behavioral studies from the University of South Alabama and a doctorate in counseling and student personnel services from Kansas State University.
Please join the Division of Student Life in recognizing Bernard Franklin's amazing contributions to student life at Kansas State University.