The Franke Honors Civic Leadership Certificate aims to provide coursework opportunities for students to grow their leadership skills, give back to their communities, and improve their ethics. To achieve the certificate, students are required to take multiple courses whose subject matter centers on topics like community engagement, ethics, and leadership structures within different institutions.

Pearl and Precious Craig are Franke Honors alumnas both entering into their third year as Doctor of Pharmacy Candidates at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy. Throughout their time in Honors, both Pearl and Precious were recipients of numerous accolades and awards from both in and outside of the University. Now, as pharmacy students, these sisters are initiating positive change through an organization they co-founded together in the School of Pharmacy.

Kyle Cook just graduated from the W.A. Franke Honors College with honors in Physiology and Medical Sciences. During his undergrad, Cook conducted research with the Sarver Heart Center and served as the president of the Physiology Club on campus. He took advantage of the Honors Early Assurance Program during his junior year, which guaranteed him a spot at the College of Medicine – Tucson, where he will begin attending next fall.

Rachel Newcomb is a graduating senior at the W.A. Franke Honors College studying Neuroscience. Last month, the culmination of her thesis work was on display at the University of Arizona Poetry Center, in the form of mixed media: paint on canvas, poetry, audio interviews, and graphite and ink on paper.  Newcomb’s Honors Thesis, titled Alone, Together, was inspired by her personal experiences and interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

W.A. Franke Honors graduating seniors Kristijan Barnjak, Hillary Schiff, Vanessa Addison, Elizabeth Grace Hala'ufia, and Mikah Wesley Rosanova will be recognized with awards at the University of Arizona's 159th commencement ceremony in Arizona Stadium. Nominated by faculty and their peers, these students were selected based on their determination, notable achievements and positive contributions in both their classrooms and communities.

Since fall 2022, Franke Honors Associate Professor of Practice, Dr. Kate Alexander, has been collaborating with the University of Arizona Museum of Art to give Honors students the experience of interacting with art, up close and personal. Dr. Alexander worked closely on the collaboration with Chelsea Farrar, Curator of Community Engagement, who, along with Dr. Alexander, has been the primary visionary behind the partnership.

On May 11 at McKale Memorial Center, the W.A. Franke Honors College will be celebrating the spring graduating class of 2023. Every semester, we acknowledge select students that have exemplified the values of the college; what it means to seek, connect, create, evolve and celebrate, both personally and academically.

The prestigious Five Star Faculty Award recognizes excellence in teaching and mentoring and is the only university-wide award for faculty members that is determined by undergraduate students. Each year, a committee of W.A. Franke Honors students reviews student nominations before selecting eight semifinalists. From there, candidates are observed by committee members over a two-week period, after which five finalists are named, who send teaching statements prior to their interviews. After the interviews, the committee selects the winner. Rosano is just the second CAPLA faculty member to win the award since it began in 1983.

Dave P. Franke, Principal of Franke & Company, will be recognized with an honorary doctoral degree from Northern Arizona University and provide the keynote address during one of four commencement ceremonies next week. Dave, along with the rest of the Franke family, is known for philanthropy, including the impactful naming gift that made us the W.A. Franke Honors College. Dave's work has changed the lives of students throughout Arizona and beyond, and we are glad to see it recognized in this way. Congratulations, Dave!

Last month, the W.A. Franke Honors College hosted its annual research presentation symposium, Franke Honors Pinnacle. More than 100 Franke Honors students presented their work at Pinnacle, showcasing diverse research projects that they have been working on throughout the semester. Each year, students are judged on their poster presentations in a variety of categories. Outstanding research is acknowledged with financial awards for Quest projects, senior thesis work, and creative video representations of senior research.