Reporter autumn2010 -a - Franklin Alumni Network - Franklin College

On the move,
from FC to DC
Since graduating from college only
two years ago, Wayne Stanley ’08 has
made impressive progress in his climb up
the career ladder. As a student, Stanley
coupled his major in journalism/public
relations with a minor in leadership
studies, and he took full advantage of the
college’s engaged-learning opportunities.
In addition to participating in a children’s
mentoring program and volunteering
at a homeless shelter, Stanley invested
significant time in serving as an officer of
several student organizations.
He also interned, living for a semester
in Washington, D.C., while he completed
the U.S. Sen. Richard G. Lugar/Franklin
College Media Internship. Today, Stanley’s
back in the nation’s capital, working as
Indiana press secretary for Lugar’s
office and managing the very internship
program in which he once participated.
Stanley’s Franklin College experience has
come full circle yet continues to broaden.
In the information that follows, Stanley
shares a glimpse of his life then and now.
Campus activities: “Student Congress,
Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, Inter-Fraternity
Council, College Mentors for Kids, Engaged
Learning and Leadership Roundtable, FC
Singers, The Franklin (student newspaper)
and The Wellhouse (journalism magazine).”
Benefits of the Franklin experience:
“There were so many life-changing
opportunities. Some of the things I’ll
never forget are attending the cultural
celebrations, hearing Holocaust survivor
Eva Kor speak, working closely with
Senator Lugar’s press team, taking a
Winter Term travel course to the South
to learn about the civil rights movement
and having a variety of courses outside
my journalism major, everything from
anthropology and accounting to modern
art. Those experiences, among many
others, helped broaden my perspective
and some of my beliefs and allowed me
the opportunity to grow in ways that
benefit me daily at work and home today.”
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar initially hired Wayne Stanley ’08 as a college intern. After his graduation, Stanley
received a full-time job offer with Lugar’s Fort Wayne, Ind., office. More recently, Stanley was promoted to
press secretary.
Most influential professor and why:
“Many Franklin College professors are
influential in their own way, but if I had
to choose, it would likely be a tie between
Keri Ellington (director of student
activities/organizations) and Bonnie
Pribush (director of leadership
development). They embody the Franklin
College values and teach by example,
inside and outside the classroom. From
humility to leadership to humor, I learned
many valuable lessons from both women.
I am better in life because of tools they
gave me.”
Favorite college hangout: “Wherever my
friends were at the time! In all honesty,
however, the place you could almost
always find our group was the Student
Activities Center (SAC). The SAC was
always open and so useful to students.
Whether working on projects, cramming
for exams or shooting the breeze and
goofing off, we always had a great time in
that space. I think that secretly the staff
enjoyed us being there, too.”
Best part of the Franklin experience:
“Making lifelong friends. I also remain
thankful for the service-learning,
leadership and internship opportunities.
I wouldn’t be who I am, or where I am,
today without those opportunities.”
Five-year plan: “Five years? How about
tomorrow?! I would hope to have
continued building my portfolio and
diversifying the experiences in both my
professional and personal life. I would
hope to continue working in the
political arena and maintaining my
interests in public relations and
community outreach.”
I support the Franklin Fund for
Scholarships because: “The Franklin Fund
enables more students to have the same
life-changing opportunities once given to
me. My college experience was amazing,
and the best way I can show appreciation
is to give my support and encourage
others to do so as well.”
WWW.FRANKLINCOLLEGE.EDU AUTUMN 2010 63
PHOTO BY RENEE KEAN ’06