Franklin College to Host Constitution Day Speaker
Franklin College will welcome Jodie Crosby Ferise, Ed.D., J.D., to campus as the Constitution Day speaker on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Branigin Room of the Napolitan Student Center. Ferise will serve as the first speaker in the college’s 2025-26 Convocation Lecture Series, as she addresses the crowd on “Constitutional Thinking in a Clickbait World.”
In a time when algorithms often dictate what we see and truth sometimes feels elusive, it’s hard to find a solid basis for our beliefs. After all, sensational headlines, viral content and political echo chambers were never designed to foster independent reflection. This fun and engaging talk is an invitation to navigate the tide of information in a different way: reading widely, fact-checking relentlessly, thinking deeply and deciding for yourself where you stand. Drawing on case studies from both history and the present day, Ferise will challenge listeners to resist the pull of all-or-nothing partisanship—the false idea that being American means picking a side – and reclaim the power of independent thought that the Constitution was written to protect.
Following her lecture, a short Q&A will take place.
Ferise is a seasoned higher education attorney with more than 20 years of experience. Her diverse background spans roles as general counsel, professor, faculty governance leader, lobbyist and administrator. She has advised institutions across the higher education spectrum—from technical training schools to private colleges and large public systems.
She holds a Doctor of Education from the University of Pennsylvania, a Juris Doctor from Indiana University McKinney School of Law, and a BA in Public and Corporate Communications from Butler University. Her doctoral research explored strategies for increasing faculty diversity on rural U.S. campuses.
She spent 13 years at the University of Indianapolis in teaching and leadership roles, including faculty senate president, associate provost, and chief international officer. She also served as vice president and general counsel for the Independent Colleges of Indiana, supporting 29 private institutions through legal and advocacy work. A passionate advocate for global and experiential learning, Ferise has taught in India, China and Ghana and founded the Precious Words Africa project to provide education and health resources in West Africa.
She has been featured by major media outlets including Inside Higher Ed, CNN, Bloomberg Law, Politico, NPR and The Washington Post.
Franklin College tradition includes hosting an annual Convocation Lecture Series that promotes the ideals of the institution. The college upholds a common set of values that enhances the community and sustains personal, spiritual and professional growth for a lifetime. The college values people of integrity, a commitment to inclusivity, a culture of intellectual curiosity, the drive for innovation and creativity and the spirit of community.
This event is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending are asked to register at bit.ly/Ferise_Convo.