Two Franklin College employees are retiring with a combined 59 years of experience between them.
Joel Cramer, a journalism professor and chair of the Pulliam School of Journalism, is retiring after a 38-year career. Cramer joined the Franklin College faculty in 1985, and during his career, taught students media law, broadcast journalism, videography and photography.
He built his expertise off a bachelor’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University, a master’s degree from Central Michigan University and a law degree from Indiana University School of Law — Indianapolis, now called the Robert H. McKinney School of Law. He earned his law degree while working at Franklin College, according to a Franklin College news release.
Cramer is a two-time winner of the Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award, which he most recently got last October. Franklin College leaders give the award to someone who exhibits excellence in mastery of subject and effective communication, has respect for all students, believes all students can learn and provides constructive feedback to other students, according to the release.
Cramer also received the Clifford and Paula Dietz Award for Faculty Excellence in 2008 and the Academic Advisor of the Year Award in 2015. Cramer has touched countless lives throughout his career, college dean and vice president for academic affairs Kristin Flora said in the release.
“A 38-year length of service is a rarity at any organization, but especially in higher education,” Flora said. “I know I speak for our faculty when I say that we are grateful for the expertise, energy and collegiality that Professor Cramer brought to our campus. The number of lives he has influenced cannot be overstated, and the impact he has made on our students and alumni will continue to be felt for years to come.”
Marti Schrock, who graduated from Franklin College in 1993 with a journalism degree, is retiring after a 21-year career, during which she served in numerous roles.
Schrock was hired as the secretary in the Office of Career Services and Professional Development in Nov. 2001, overseeing the budget, managing the office and serving as an instructor for the college’s New Student Transition Program, teaching students about time management, risky behavior, financial management and ways to get involved on campus, the release said.
Schrock’s relationships with alumni and community members led college leadership to promote her as the assistant director of annual giving in the Office of Institutional Advancement in July 2007. In the role, she oversaw contributions to the Franklin Fund, which supports student scholarships, including the Phone-A-Thon program. During the last decade of his career, she served as the executive secretary for Student Affairs, now Student Development, according to the release.
Schrock was active on campus apart from what his job required. She was a member of the newly formed Staff Communications Committee and volunteered as a campus advisor for Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity. Her peers named her a Woman of Distinction at the college in 2017. She continues to be involved in the Franklin Chapter of Tri Kappa and is the president of the Franklin Zeta Tau Alpha Alumnae Chapter, according to the release.
Schrock’s connection with the thousands of people she met throughout her career is a testament to her ability to form relationships, dean of students and vice president for student development Andrew Jones said in the release.
“Marti loved being able to welcome each new member of the Franklin College family — more than 4,000 students, faculty and staff during her tenure at the college,” Jones said. “She had the uncanny ability to make people feel welcome and at ease, and to know that Franklin College is a place where they would feel at home. Marti contributed in many, many ways to Franklin College and her absence and legacy will be felt for years to come.”
