04/03/19
HAYS, Kan. – Anyone who is interested in the mental health and well-being of students, pre-kindergarten through college, is invited to a day-long symposium on Friday, April 12, in Fort Hays State University’s Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.

The featured speaker is Dr. Bernard Franklin, vice president for student life at Mount St. Mary University in Emmitsburg, Md., who will address how to create “trauma informed environments” that support the mental health of Kansas’ students.

“Trauma informed environments are environments in which all students feel safe and welcome,” said Dr. Brooke Moore, assistant professor and interim chair of the Department of Advanced Education Programs at Fort Hays State. “This is particularly important for students who have experienced or are currently experiencing traumatic events in their lives,” she said.

Franklin’s appearance is part of the Olliff Family Educational Symposium. He has been featured before in the symposium, said Moore, and is back “by popular request.” The event is free for all FHSU faculty, staff, and students. The event is open to the public, but registration and a fee apply. The cost is $15 in advance, $20 at the door and includes breakfast pastries, coffee, and lunch. Online registration is at https://bit.ly/2JX7OCL.

Franklin is regarded as a leader in articulating the issues of men, youth, and families. He serves on a number of healthcare and community-centered boards and has consulted on a wide range of topics, including leadership, diversity, urban education, urban father and family issues on a local, national, and international level.

As an undergraduate at Kansas State University, Franklin became the first black student ever elected president of the Student Government Association. At the age of 24, he made Kansas history by becoming the youngest person ever appointed to the Kansas State Board of Regents and the youngest chair of the board at age 28.

He has been a fellow for the Study of the United States Presidency and has served on an advisory commission to President Jimmy Carter’s administration with Martin Luther King III and other prominent African Americans.

Franklin received his master’s in counseling and behavioral studies from the University of South Alabama and a Ph.D. in counseling and higher education administration, with an outside emphasis in family studies, from Kansas State University. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Kansas State University.

Franklin recently published a chapter in the book, “The Faith Factor in Fatherhood: Renewing the Sacred Vocation of Fathering.” The Morehouse College Research Institute presented him with the Vision Award for his "pioneering work in the area of educating men on the importance of fatherhood.”

The Olliff Family Symposium is sponsored by the university’s College of Education.