Get acquainted with the First Lady of Franklin
Candace Moseley, known to most simply as the wife of Franklin College President Jay Moseley, has passions and aspects of life that are unknown to the majority of Franklin students. Candace’s story began in California, where she grew up.
When the time came for her undergraduate degree, she decided to attend Pomona College, a small liberal arts school in Claremont, Calif. While there, Candace majored in the classics of Latin and Greek. She then went on to Stanford University where she earned her master’s degree in Latin and education. She met Jay, a fellow student, in the fall of 1967.
The following year, on June 28, 1968, Jay and Candace married. After graduation, the Moseleys moved around the country, residing in various locations. They went everywhere from Illinois to Florida. During this time, she taught middle school and high school.
“[Candace] was and still could be an extremely gifted teacher,” Jay said.
After taking time to establish their professional lives, the Moseleys started a family.
They now have two married children and two grandchildren.
According to Jay, many people at Franklin missed out on seeing Candace as a teacher and a young mother.
Jay became president of Franklin in 2002 after being the vice president at Transylvania
University for 11 years. While he worked at Transylvania, Candace taught at Lexington Catholic High School.
The couple found out that Franklin was looking for a new president, and they started to investigate. After looking into it further, the Moseleys decided that Franklin should become their new home.
“It just felt right,” Candace said.
When the Moseleys left Kentucky to move to Franklin, Candace gave up her job as a teacher. Even though she no longer teaches in a classroom, Candace is still extremely involved in the community and on campus.
Candace is the advisor for the Student Foundation on campus. This organization aims to pick some of the finest Franklin students to help plan events and represent the college.
“[Candace] keeps us on track, and if we need anything, she helps us out,” said junior
Amanda Trommater, a Student Foundation member.
This organization allows Candace to get involved with some of the students on campus in a way that benefits everyone.
Candace said she wants everyone to feel that Franklin is a welcoming place.
“She wants Franklin College to look its best,” said junior Carrie Trommater, another
member of the Student Foundation.
It is a key goal for Candace to go out and be involved in the community and to take Franklin out with her. In order to accomplish this, she is involved in many different groups and organizations off campus.
Among other things, Candace is a United Way volunteer and a part of the Indiana Commission on Community Service and Volunteerism.
“Helping young people grow and develop [is one of Candace’s passions],” Jay said.
The Franklin staff writer, Brittany Brownrigg, contributed to this report.
