Franklin College Board of Trustees Extends Contract of President Kerry N. Prather
The Franklin College Board of Trustees has voted to extend President Kerry N. Prather’s contract through June 30, 2028, citing his transformative leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing the college’s mission and student experience.
“The Franklin College community continues to thrive under President Prather’s bold and visionary leadership,” said Peter T. Cangany Jr., chair of the Board and 1980 alumnus. “His forward-thinking approach is helping the college navigate today’s rapidly evolving higher education landscape. Franklin College is experiencing a remarkable time in its history, and we are excited to continue the progress.”
Appointed acting president in January 2020 and officially named president the following month, Prather had his initial term extended through June 30, 2026. With this new extension, the Board reaffirms its confidence in his continued leadership.
“I’m honored by the Board’s trust and energized by the substantial progress we’ve made over the past five years. I look forward to building on that momentum and exploring new opportunities that will further ensure the college’s future prosperity,” said Prather. “Cindy and I are excited to continue working alongside trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends to enhance the distinctive Franklin experience and position the college for long-term success.”
During his tenure as president, Prather has led the way in establishing the college’s Center for Tech Innovation and the Johnson Memorial Health Athletic Annex; launched a competitive esports program on campus; and created a digital fluency initiative that serves as the capstone to the already transformative education Franklin provides. His presidency has also been marked by record-setting fundraising success and record enrollment gains.
Prather’s service to Franklin College spans 42 years, including Cabinet-level roles in four administrations prior to his appointment as president. He previously served as head men’s basketball coach for 36 seasons, amassing over 500 career wins and guiding his teams to national tournament appearances. As Director of Athletics since 1989, he oversaw the expansion of athletic offerings to 21 varsity sports and spearheaded major facility upgrades.
An Indiana University graduate, Prather holds degrees in English and education. In recognition of his decades of service, he was named an associate alumnus of Franklin College in 1999.
His wife, Cindy Prather, also has deep ties to the college, currently serving as Director of Teacher Education after a 23-year tenure on the faculty. She was named an associate alumna in 2022. They are proud parents of two Franklin College graduates: Katie (Prather) Gillaspy, class of 2013, and Robbie Prather, class of 2017.