Franklin College Receives Historic $15 Million Gift Charles B. Staff Center Will House Business & Pre-Law
Franklin College has received the largest gift in its history, a $15 million donation from Virginia Staff Shannon, Class of 1945, to construct the Charles B. Staff Center in honor of her father, a member of the Class of 1914.
The Staff Center will be located on the corner of Monroe Street and Branigin Boulevard, next to the Von Boll Welcome Center. It will house classrooms, offices, collaboration spaces and conference rooms for the School of Business and the pre-law studies program, both of which will carry the Charles B. Staff name. Renderings of the building can be viewed here.
Charles B. Staff was a beloved and respected attorney and judge in Franklin until his death in 1953. His daughter Virginia was inspired by his intellect, work ethic and generosity of spirit.
The Staff family lived a block from the Franklin College campus, and Mrs. Shannon describes her childhood as idyllic. She remembers having picnics with friends in the wellhouse that still sits in the middle of the campus. She credits Franklin College with providing her “a wonderful education” that prepared her for a 42-year career as an elementary school teacher and a 33-year career in quality control with the Philip Morris Corporation.
"Virginia is a remarkable person who has led a fascinating life,” said Franklin College President Kerry N. Prather. “As a young widow, she worked very hard to raise her two daughters while enjoying a long and successful tenure as an elementary teacher, followed by an equally successful career in the business world. Her devotion to her father and her love for Franklin College have coalesced into this visionary gift that will enhance two of our most successful academic programs and provide an impressive tribute to Judge Staff.”
“My father was a most unusual man because he thought nothing of helping literally anybody," said Shannon. "People stopped by our house at night and on weekends asking for his advice, and my father always made time for them, just as he did for my brother and me, even though he was very busy. He was just a very special person."
“Getting to know Virginia and helping create a plan that aligns her desire to honor her father with our academic opportunities has been a privilege and a pleasure. Her vision and generosity will create many innovative learning opportunities for future generations of Franklin students,” said Prather.
Unique features of the two-story Charles B. Staff Center include a mock courtroom for pre-law students to practice skills, a trading lab providing practical investment strategy experience for business students, a small auditorium and a covered patio.
This gift contributes to Franklin Forward: The Campaign for Franklin College, which builds on a strong period of institutional momentum. The College has recorded three consecutive years of new student enrollment increase and earned top-ten rankings from U.S. News & World Report among Midwest regional colleges, including overall quality, best value and social mobility. Franklin has expanded its campus with the Johnson Memorial Health Athletic Annex and Center for Tech Innovation, while construction is underway to transform Indiana’s oldest college gymnasium into the Elwood Fitness Center. The College has also launched a competitive esports program and introduced new academic offerings in areas including cybersecurity, neuroscience, sports communication, sports and fitness management, game development and digital marketing.
By expanding endowment resources and strategic investments, Franklin Forward aims to position the nearly 200-year-old institution to thrive amid the challenges facing higher education. The 5-year campaign runs through June 30, 2028. To learn more about the campaign and giving details, visit FranklinCollege.edu/franklin-forward.