Franklin, Joseph Amos, 1904-1981

Joseph A. Franklin began as a student at Indiana University in 1922. Following his 1927 graduation with a degree in finance, Franklin remained an employee of the University's fiscal offices for the entirety of his professional career during which he was appointed University treasurer (1946-1971), vice president (1948-1971), and Fiscal Counsel to the President (1971-1975). Franklin was active in various professional, community, and service organizations including Acacia Fraternity, Church of Christ, Lions Club - particularly its Cancer Control Fund of Indiana - Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, Riley Memorial Association, and the United Fund.

Joseph Amos Franklin was born July 5, 1904 on a farm in Madison County, Indiana. He began collegiate studies at Indiana University in 1922 and worked in the accounting and ticket division of the Bursar’s Office during his time as a student. After graduating in 1927 with a Bachelor of Science in Business, Franklin immediately assumed an IU staff position as an accountant and auditor. He advanced to serve as the chief accountant and assistant comptroller in the 1930s. In 1946, Franklin was named treasurer of the University and was promoted to treasurer and vice president in 1948. He retired from these positions in 1971 but continued on as Fiscal Counsel to the President until his official retirement in 1975.

Franklin worked as a member of the Indiana University administration through an era when the University saw significant change and growth. Among other accomplishments, Franklin played a key role in funding the University’s physical plant, which eventually enabled the University to accommodate larger student enrollment. He additionally helped plan an administrative move toward decentralization of University business functions. In relation to his professional activities, Franklin was elected president of the Central Association of College and University Business Officers in 1966 and vice president of the Association of the Universities for Research in Astronomy in 1968.

Outside of his work, Franklin was highly active in various professional, community, and service organizations. He was a member of Acacia Fraternity, the North Central Church of Christ, local and state branches of the Lions Club (Bloomington Lions Club president; trustee of the Indiana State Lions Cancer Control Fund), the Indiana Business Officers Association (president), the Indiana chapter of Myasthenia Gravis Inc. (president), the Hearth Program-Project Committee of the National Heart Institute of the National Institutes of Health, and was active on the Board of Governors for the James Whitcomb Riley Memorial Association.

Franklin married Beatrice Long on June 9, 1926. The couple spent their entire married life in Bloomington and raised four children: Zetta Ann (Anderson), Richard Paul, Jane (Carrell), and Joseph Arnold. Franklin died on July 19, 1980 at the age of 79. In Franklin’s honor, the Indiana University Student Services Building was posthumously renamed Joseph Amos Franklin Hall in 1988.