Franklin University Honors Academic Excellence During 2026 College of Health and Public Administration Honor Society Induction Ceremony

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Sherry Mercurio
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations
(614) 947-6581
Email: [email protected]

219 students recognized for outstanding achievement across healthcare, public administration, public safety and related disciplines

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Franklin University recently celebrated the induction of 219 students into the College of Health and Public Administration (COHPA) Honor Society, recognizing exceptional academic achievement, leadership potential and commitment to serving communities through careers in healthcare, public service and public administration.

The 2026 COHPA Honor Society Induction Ceremony brought together approximately 270 participants, including students, faculty, staff, Franklin University leaders and family members from across the country and around the world. Hosted virtually by Dr. Alyncia Bowen, dean of the College of Health and Public Administration, the event reflected the University's commitment to creating meaningful student experiences that foster connection, recognition and achievement in an online learning environment.

"Academic honors represent more than strong grades," said Dr. Bowen. "They reflect perseverance, intellectual curiosity, professional dedication and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. We are proud to recognize these students for the excellence they have demonstrated throughout their academic journeys."

The ceremony featured remarks from Dr. Jonathon McCombs, vice president for Academic Affairs, who congratulated inductees and emphasized the important role Franklin graduates play in addressing workforce and community needs across healthcare and public service sectors.

The honor society recognizes students who have achieved high levels of academic success while demonstrating integrity, leadership and a commitment to lifelong learning. Induction signifies both scholastic achievement and readiness to contribute meaningfully to their professions and communities.

This year's inductees represented 32 states and one international location, South Korea, highlighting the reach of Franklin's student population and the university's ability to bring together learners from diverse backgrounds through a shared commitment to educational excellence.

Students inducted into the honor society represented a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs, including Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration-Healthcare Concentration, Health Informatics, Public Health, Criminal Justice Administration, Public Safety Management and Leadership, Public Administration, and Exercise Science.
Additional students were recognized from specialized clinical and certificate pathways, including Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health, Adult Gerontology Primary Care, Medical Assistant, and Surgical Technologist.
To commemorate the milestone, each inductee received official recognition materials, including honor cords, certificates, commemorative items and a COHPA Honor Society T-shirt.

While hosted virtually, the ceremony intentionally incorporated elements traditionally associated with campus-based academic recognition, allowing students to celebrate alongside faculty, University leadership, family and friends. The event reflects Franklin University's approach to online education, combining academic rigor, meaningful engagement and personalized recognition to create a student experience that extends beyond the classroom.

As Franklin University continues to prepare healthcare, public administration and public safety professionals to meet evolving workforce needs, ceremonies such as the COHPA Honor Society Induction reinforce the university's commitment to recognizing achievement, fostering community and celebrating student success.

About Franklin University

Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).

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