Dean Abplanalp was inducted into the Franklin Community High School Alumni Hall of Fame Class of 2023.
Waylon O’Donnell | Daily Journal
Franklin Community High School inducted Dean Abplanalp into the class of 2023 Alumni Hall of Fame during a special ceremony Tuesday evening.
Abplanalp, senior vice president of investments at A.W.E. Wealth Management of Raymond James, received the honor in front of colleagues, friends and family and was also recognized during halftime at the school’s first high school boys’ basketball game of the season.
A graduate of Franklin Community High School in 1976, Abplanalp was an avid golfer and attended Ball State University to pursue a degree in corporate finance. He was the golf team’s co-captain during his senior year of college.
After graduation, he began a career in 1980 in the financial services industry with a goal of preparing his clients for retirement. He has been a lifelong resident of Franklin and Johnson County.
Overcome with gratitude, Abplanalp was quick to give credit to the people who supported him throughout his career.
“You can’t do things without other people,” said Abplanalp. “You can’t make a difference with other people.”
He has a long list of philanthropic endeavors in the community as well.
Abplanalp established the fund for the annual downtown holiday lighting, founded the Franklin Study Connection and served as the first president of the organization. He also established the Dean Abplanalp Fund, which supports the Johnson County Community Foundation and the Good Cheer Fund.
In 2017, Abplanalp was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash by the State of Indiana and then-Governor Mike Pence. The award is the highest distinction given by the Governor of Indiana for distinguished service in Indiana.
Abplanalp will be retiring from A.W.E. Wealth Management in less than 40 days, a circumstance colleague Steven Woods said will be a significant adjustment.
“There will be a huge hole in our office,” Woods said. “A huge presence will be missed. We are going to be calling him to ask questions periodically.”
Woods said that Abplanalp’s community philanthropy will serve as a benchmark of service for those new community leaders who are to follow.
“It’s all overwhelming,” Abplanalp said. “This was a big week for me with my retirement party on Sunday and this evening. I’m very blessed.”
Abplanalp was 2023’s only inductee. The last round of inductions took place in 2018. Superintendent David Clendening accredits the gap to the COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of alumni recommendations.
The Franklin Community High School Alumni Hall of Fame was created in 2014. The distinguishment is intended to honor graduates of the high school who have exemplified the school’s five guiding principles including communication, individual student growth, collaboration, systemic continuous improvement and trust.
“We want to show kids that when you graduate from Franklin Community High School, you can make a difference,” Clendening said.
Past Hall of Fame Inductees
Class of 2015:
- Roger Branigan
- George Crowe
- Rob Davis
- Jane Hughey
- Jon McGlocklin
- Fuzzy Vandivier
Class of 2016:
- Mark Janis
- Connie Leonard
- Niel Ellerbrook
- Max Friedersdorf
Class of 2017:
- Diane Black
- Barry Whetstine
Class of 2018
- Robert Claxton
- Alva O. Neal
- Nancy Ann Phares Brown Poynter
- Karen Wenning Stellick
Class of 2023
- Dean Abplanalp
