Throughout its history, Franklin University Switzerland has embodied its mission of providing a cross-cultural and multinational learning and living environment that inspires students to engage the world.
This timeline chronicles our milestones over 50 years and tells the story of a University forged by a commitment to sustained academic excellence, a shared objective that values discovery, compassion and collaboration. This persistent drive, perpetuated by Franklin's community of faculty, students, staff and alumni, has contributed over the years toward consistently building a better Franklin.
Franklin College Established
Theo Brenner, Jacques Villaret, Pascal Tone, Pietro Cassina and Wilfred Geens establish “Franklin College and the Institute for European Studies”
Franklin College opens in Villa Cirla
The College knew it could only occupy Villa Cirla in Lugano-Paradiso for one year. Throughout the Summer of 1970 the administration and faculty worked on the villa themselves, painting doors and shutters and constructing shelving for the room designated as library.
Franklin College moves to Villa Ferrari
Following recognition by the IRS as a tax-exempt corporation, the College moved to Villa Ferrari in Lugano-Loreto and remained there until 1974.
Franklin College moves to Villa Sassa
In the fall of 1974 the College moved to the Villa Sassa (also known as the via Tesserete campus), and would remain there until 1986.
Associate of Arts degree programs receive U.S. accreditation
Franklin College purchases the Sorengo Campus and becomes a 4-year college
After lengthy debate among the trustees, the decision was taken to expand to a four-year program, and in the fall of 1986, coinciding with the move to the permanent campus in Sorengo, Franklin opened the academic year as a four-year institution.
U.S. Accreditation Reaffirmed
North Campus purchased
On May 18, 2004, the College acquired the facilities and property formerly occupied by the “Instituto Leonardo da Vinci”, a private Italian high school campus located just three hundred meters from Franklin College’s main villa. Following renovations, the North Campus facility was inaugurated with state-of-the-art classrooms and faculty offices in January 2006.
Franklin College programs of study gain Swiss accreditation
SGA formed
The Student Assembly merged with the Programming Board to become the Student Government Association. Members of SGA are elected by the student body at large, and assume the duty of representing students’ needs and interests in all facets of University life, from academics to student engagement.
Taylor Institute Inaugurated
In November of 2010, the Franklin College Board of Trustees gave its approval to launch the Taylor Institute for Global Enterprise Management. In July 2011 the Taylor Institute began offering on-campus symposia in anticipation of the launch of its Master of Science in International Management (MSIM) program.
First cohort begins Master's program
In the fall, the Taylor Institute launched its Master of Science in International Management (MSIM) program with a cohort of 9 students from the U.S., Latin America, the Middle East and Europe.
Franklin College Switzerland gains full university accreditation in Switzerland
In December 2012, the OAQ Swiss accreditation experts team visited the campus as part of their accreditation review. On April 18, 2013, the Swiss University Conference (SUK/CUS), the governing body for higher education in Switzerland, granted Franklin College Switzerland full university accreditation.
Franklin changes its name to Franklin University Switzerland
In November 2013, Franklin’s name change from “Franklin College Switzerland” to “Franklin University Switzerland” was finalized with official regulatory bodies in recognition of Franklin’s full university accreditation status awarded by the Swiss University Conference in April of 2013. On April 2, 2014, Franklin announced its new name and status to the campus and public, kicking off the first of two day-long “University Day” celebrations to recognize Franklin’s transformation from College to University.
Franklin approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education
Franklin University Switzerland was approved in 2018 by the Chinese Ministry of Education as an accredited foreign university in China. This approval means that graduates from Franklin will have a degree that is recognized in China, providing additional opportunities for careers in the public and private sectors.
Franklin creates partnership with Emerson College
Franklin and Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts create a program allowing students to complete a Bachelor’s degree at Franklin and Master’s degree at Emerson, one of the highest-rankling U.S. colleges in writing, communications and the liberal arts. Students in the 3+1 program can obtain both degrees in four years of study.
Franklin creates strategic partnership with UNITAR
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research develops and facilitates several courses as part of a new MSIM emphasis in Responsible Management and Climate Change. During a component of the program, students work directly with UN professionals at the Geneva headquarters in Switzerland.