Summer 2024 Robert L. Bailey Teaching Award Recipients Announced

Contact:

Sherry Mercurio
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations
(614) 947-6581
Email: sherry.mercurio@vaftizo.com

Franklin University, one of the leading educators of working adults in central Ohio, will celebrate its 177th Commencement on Sunday, September 15 at 2 p.m. (ET). Along with honoring the graduates, Franklin recognizes Dr. Scott Ebbrecht and Laurie Crawford from its faculty as recipients of the distinguished Robert L. Bailey Teaching Award.

Congratulations to this trimester’s recipients: Dr. Scott Ebbrecht, graduate adjunct faculty and, Laurie Crawford, undergraduate adjunct faculty.

Graduate Bailey Award Winner
Dr. Scott Ebbrecht has been with Franklin University since 2019. Drawing on his extensive background in educational leadership and public-school administration, his teaching style is engaging and supportive. Scott approaches teaching as a coach and mentor, fostering active participation, collaborative learning and critical thinking. By integrating real-world experiences and practical applications, he helps students connect theoretical concepts to practical scenarios. Dr. Ebbrecht’s career in public education spans roles that include sixth-grade teacher, principal and suburban school administrator, as well as 34 years of board or executive leadership of nonprofit organizations. He received his doctorate in organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University, a master's in educational administration from The Ohio State University, and a bachelor’s in elementary education and reading from Capital University.

Undergraduate Bailey Award Winner
Laurie Crawford began teaching at Franklin as an adjunct instructor in 2001. She currently serves as lead faculty for computer science and continues to teach regularly. Laurie is passionate about teaching adult learners and mastering best practices in adult education and online instruction. She strives to be the best for her students. Early in her career, Laurie worked as a member of technical staff at AT&T Bell Labs, where she developed switching system applications and held various roles including programmer, customer liaison and technical manager. She earned a master's degree in computer science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a master's degree in executive management from Ashland University, and a bachelor's degree in computer science and engineering from The Ohio State University.

About the Robert L. Bailey Teaching Award
Each trimester, two faculty members are honored with the Robert L. Bailey Teaching Award. Graduating students are asked to identify one undergraduate and one graduate faculty member who had the most significant influence on them throughout their educational experience at Franklin University. The award recognizes those who have challenged students intellectually and guided them in finding the significance of the course content as it relates to them both personally and professionally.

While more than 100 graduate and undergraduate faculty members are nominated each trimester – clearly showing the magnitude of interaction between students and faculty at Franklin University – the faculty members receiving the most nominations are awarded this honor.

These awards are funded through an endowment established by State Auto Insurance Companies in recognition of Robert L. Bailey, who served State Auto for 28 years in various positions, including President, CEO, and Chairman, until his retirement in 2000. Bailey is also a past Chair and a Trustee Emeritus of Franklin University’s Board of Trustees.

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).