Franklin Family Podcast

Welcome back to the podcast, I am your host Margaret Pendo and I have the honor of introducing you to Kim Hildebrant. Kim is originally from Denmark but has lived in Lugano for more than 25 years. He graduated from Franklin University in 1990 with a degree in International Relations and then went on to work in the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, he currently serves as the President of Anchorage Group PLC-based Lugano with headquarters in London as well as a Member of the Board of Directors and Advisor to the Chairman for Rotana Capital. Additionally, Kim serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees and gave an incredibly touching speech at this years’ graduation.

Welcome back to the podcast, I am your host Margaret Pendo and I have the honor of introducing you to Spencer Landry. Spencer is from Michigan USA.  He will be graduating in 2023 with a degree in Political science and minors in German studies, Italian studies, legal studies, and history. As a sophomore Spencer was Student government Vice President and Head of Programming as well as an Italian and German Tutor.

Welcome back to our weekly podcast. I am your host Margaret Pendo and I have the honor of introducing you to Professor Hale. Dr.Hale, officially, is a full professor of Biology and Environmental Science. Throughout his research, he has been able to travel throughout the U.S., Switzerland, Germany, Iceland, Sweden, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean. He is very involved at Franklin whether that be teaching core courses in the environmental studies program, leading travels to Iceland, and even managing the campus garden.

More about the Brissago Islands - Botanical Garden:

https://www.ticino.ch/en/commons/details/The-Brissago-Islands-Botanical-garden/2636.html

The Restaurant in Ísafjörður, Iceland: Húsið

https://www.facebook.com/H%C3%BAsi%C3%B0-271103542975982/

- The dish I was speaking about was the Seafood Soup

Welcome back to the podcast, I am your host Margaret Pendo and I have the honor of introducing you to Austin Tomlinson. Austin graduated with distinction in 2006 with a degree in International Communications and Italian Studies. After graduating Austin actually worked for Franklin for about 8 years working as both an Admissions Counselor as well as Director of Alumni and Parent Relations. Now Austin is a Senior Director of Alumni Relations at INSEAD in Singapore, which is the world’s number one business school as ranked by the Financial Times.

**there are some audio issues with this episode but the content is still fun and interesting - hope you enjoy!

Welcome back to the podcast, I am your host Margaret Pendo and I have the honor of introducing you to Gemma Totten. Gemma graduated in 2018 with a degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Italian. Gemma is originally from southern California but as we record currently residing in Hawaii with friends and fellow alumni from Franklin. Gemma is a co-founder of a sustainable jewelry company called Chapter Six Jewelry, which seems to represent her love for the environment, beauty, conscious consumerism, and activism. I am very excited to learn more!

Link to Chapter Six Jewelry: https://chaptersixjewelry.com/

Instagram: @chaptersixjewelry

Welcome back to the podcast, I am your host Margaret Pendo and I have the honor of introducing you to Andrew Starcher. Dr.Starcher is the current Vice President of Academic Affairs but has been involved with Franklin since 1993. Throughout Dr. Starcher's career, he has had a plethora of experiences in international higher education institutions such as the American University of Afghanistan, Bocconi University, University of Milan, and many more. He is well known for his research on student development through international education and was actually awarded the Richerd and Shirley Mawditt Prize awarded by the UNESCO Chair of Higher Education Management in 2013.

Welcome back to our weekly podcast. I am your host Margaret Pendo and I have the honor of introducing you to our fourth President of Franklin University, Professor Gregory Warden. Before coming to Franklin, Professor Warden taught at Bowdoin College, the University of Pennsylvania, and SMU. He will be transitioning onto other endeavors next year, so I am very excited to be able to show you a glimpse into his life and his story here at Franklin.

Here is the Archeological Project mentioned in the podcast: https://sites.smu.edu/abroad/poggio/

Here is more information about the piece of Etruscan history found with the help of one of our very own Franklin students - Samuel Miller: https://blog.smu.edu/forum/2016/09/12/research-rare-inscription-names-mysterious-etruscan-goddess/

Welcome back to this week’s podcast, I am your host Margaret Pendo and today I have the honor of introducing you to Jonathan Bystrowksi. Jonathan is originally from Connecticut but currently living in Mankato, Minnesota for the summer working as a Community Garden Manager for a fellow Alumna at Living Earth Center. Jonathan plans to graduate in May 2022 with a major in Social Justice and Sustainability with a minor in both business management and cultural studies. Throughout his time at Franklin, he has been very involved in campus life and this year he is actually SGA president.

Living Earth Center:

https://www.livingearthcentermn.org/

GO to the Involvement Fair:

- During the first week of classes, to see what kinds of clubs are on campus

SGA email: [email protected]

Welcome back to this week’s podcast, I am your host Margaret Pendo and today I have the honor of introducing you to Emily Boynton. Emily graduated in 2009 with a degree in International Communications. Emily has a plethora of experiences in management, organizational and program development as well as strategic implementation. Not only that but Emily is a lifetime member of the Alumni Council for Franklin as well as a recent Alumni Trustee.

Welcome back to our weekly podcast. I am your host Margaret Pendo and I have the honor of introducing you to Leo Williams! Leo Williams transferred to Franklin in Fall 2020 and went head first into the Franklin community. Even though Leo came in the height of the pandemic that did not stop him from getting involved. This coming year - Leo has a lot of exciting things happening ranging from serving as Student Government Association vice president and head of programming, being co-president of the senior class and working on his final senior projects that showcase his passion for film.