Alumni News

On May 31, 2010, Franklin College lost a treasured friend, beloved professor and illuminating spirit for generations of students when Dr. Horus Schenouda died at the age of 93. A life that was filled with contrasts brought Dr. Schenouda to Lugano by a circuitous route.

Whether a long-standing tradition or a new event, the cultural nights at Franklin are popular events filled with excellent food, music and dancing.  The events hosted by the Arab Club, Texas Club and Russia Club demonstrate the sense of community among Franklin students.

The Baobab Initiative, a student-run enterprise formed to help a small village in Zambia, has thrived on campus since its creation in October, 2004. The efforts of the students have been so successful that the village is able to fully sustain itself through the next dry season.

Rivet Daigre ’11 came to Switzerland with an eye on the rocks. Throughout high school, the junior from Colorado competed in rock climbing competitions across the United States and was excited about Franklin’s location in Ticino, which is renowned for its rock climbing opportunities.

Whether it was known as Student Union, Student Assembly or the current Student Government Association, the student governing board at Franklin has always had an inspiring student body president.

Students and alumni often say that among their reasons for attending Franklin are the small classes and personal relationships with professors. Today average class size is close to 16 students per class with a student/fulltime faculty ratio of 10 to 1.

The Fall 2008 Academic Travel to Croatia was the first trip completely dedicated to service for the duration of the Academic Travel. The students were there to roll their sleeves up to help the local economy, in the process becoming friendly with the people...

In the fall semester of 2007, Anne Deriaz delivered an inspiring speech as part of the Franklin Fall Lecture Series about her work in India with the Spiti Valley Buddhist monks. Adrian Mangiuca ’09 was immediately captivated and wanted to be personally involved himself.