Reporter autumn2010 -a - Franklin Alumni Network - Franklin College

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remaining fundraising goals is only
possible with support from alumni and
friends. Please remember that student
tuition, room and board charges and
activity fees are not used to construct
facilities at Franklin College. Funding for
academic buildings, residence halls and
athletic fields comes from generous
alumni and friends, who also contribute
toward the Franklin Fund and endowed
scholarships. We sincerely thank everyone
who already made a gift this year;
your personal commitment helps the
college continue to do what it does
best — prepare men and women for
productive, satisfying lives as leaders,
professionals and citizens. We encourage
and would appreciate your continued
partnership.
There are several ways you can join
us in supporting The Future Unfolds
campaign, including funding naming
opportunities and meeting gift-matching
challenges. For detailed information
about ways to give and specific options,
please contact the Office of Institutional
Advancement at (317) 738-8040. We
would love to hear from you!
This aerial view, taken in October, shows the future site of Grizzly Park, on the east side of campus. On the
right are the existing baseball and softball fields. Opposite of the fields, the groundwork is in progress for
new tennis courts, a softball field and a track and field facility. The track surface will be finalized in the
spring, weather permitting.
East side of campus taking shape
thanks to two trustee gifts
In July, Franklin College Trustee Margot Lacy Eccles made a major gift to
The Future Unfolds campaign in memory of her late husband, Robert Stuart Eccles.
In keeping with the wishes of Mrs. Eccles, the east side of campus and future site of the
new softball field, tennis courts, practice fields and fitness trails will be named Grizzly
Park. The park will connect the Franklin College Grizzlies with Robert’s life work as a
teacher, coach and administrator.
“From introducing soccer at the Park School (now Park Tudor) in Indianapolis
to serving as headmaster of two preparatory schools in New England, Mr. Eccles led
students, colleagues and institutions by exemplifying the virtues of the scholar-athlete.
He would have been proud of the young men and women who will play for Franklin
College in Grizzly Park,” said President Jay Moseley.
Coincidentally, Robert had a special affinity for Teddy Bears and collected art and
memorabilia about bears throughout his life. The aptly named Grizzly Park honors the
college mascot and reflects his special interest.
Following on the heels of Eccles’ gift, honorary trustee Robert “Bob” A. Johnson ’40
also made a gift to Grizzly Park. Johnson directed his gift toward financing construction
of a pavilion, in memory of his mother Inez Johnson, and four practice fields for
athletics, in memory of his father, Ralph W. Johnson ’11. The couple had a longtime
affiliation with Franklin College and shared mutual interest in education and athletics.
Johnson said, "Funding these projects means to me creating another chapter in our
family history at Franklin College. My parents have been gone a long time now, but
they would be proud of being part of a place that will serve generations of students.”
You, too, can be part of the Grizzly Park project through a gift-matching challenge to
fund the tennis courts and a variety of naming opportunities available throughout the
park. Please call the Office of Institutional Advancement at (317) 738-8040 to learn how.
WWW.FRANKLINCOLLEGE.EDU AUTUMN 2010 5
PHOTO BY ABOVE ALL PHOTOGRAPHY