The Franklin family legacy continues at The Media School
By Paromita Bhattacharyya and Nicole Hemmens
Alyse Franklin, BA’25, added a new chapter to her family’s deep-rooted connection with Franklin Hall by graduating this spring from the very building named after her great-grandfather.
Joseph Amos Franklin (1904-1980) dedicated the prime years of his life to the growth of Indiana University. After almost a century later, his great-granddaughter finds herself walking on the same campus paths that he once called home.
“Growing up, I have always felt a deep sense of pride and responsibility when it comes to representing my family,” Alyse says.
“My great grandfather was known for his commitment to education, leadership, and service during his time at IU, and I’ve always tried to embody those same values. Professionally, they’ve guided me to pursue excellence in my own education and work, and they serve as a constant reminder that I’m part of something bigger than myself.”
Joseph’s association with IU began as a student worker in the accounting and ticket divisions of the bursar’s office. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s in science in business in 1927, he immediately joined the university staff as an accountant and auditor eventually rising to the position of treasurer in 1946 and vice president in 1948.
He continued serving in these roles until retiring in 1971, following which he assumed the role of fiscal counsel to the president through 1975.
During his tenure, Franklin played a pivotal role in overseeing administrative operations that helped propel IU towards growth. Prior to the decentralization of university business management, he was tasked by the Board of Trustees with managing approximately $3 billion in assets as a treasurer. Apart from accounting, his list of responsibilities included endowments, real estate, transportation and safety, central purchasing stores, communication, student loan collections, property and group insurance — just to name a few.
In Franklin’s honor, the Indiana University Student Services Building was posthumously renamed Joseph Amos Franklin Hall in 1988, which became The Media School’s home in 2016.
Now, Alyse vows to uphold her family’s long-standing legacy with pride and purpose. She says, “Studying at IU and now graduating from a university so deeply connected to my family’s history has been an incredibly meaningful and rewarding experience.”
“As a Media School student, walking into Franklin Hall week after week for the past four years has felt like more than just going to class; it’s been a personal connection to my great-grandfather and the legacy he helped create. I truly cherish the building and what it represents.”
“During my time at The Media School, I’ve had the chance to work on real advertising campaigns with local clients, visit professional agencies, and even study abroad in London for an international marketing course.”
“These incredible opportunities have shaped both my education and my career path, and I’m constantly reminded that none of it would be possible without the foundation my great grandfather helped build at IU.”
Alyse’s graduation not only marks a personal milestone but also symbolizes the bond between her family and the university. She adds, “No matter where life takes me, I’ll always carry that sense of pride, responsibility, and connection to IU and my family’s history.”
Today, on the walls of Franklin Hall, a portrait and memoir of Joe Franklin etched on a plaque stands as a gentle reminder to the past as Alyse follows her great-grandfather’s footsteps to excellence.