Franklin University Switzerland – Global Alumni Reunion, May 24, 2025
Day 1 represented the return, then came Day 2, which was the rediscovery—and an incredible reminder of the profound and lifelong impact Franklin has on its community.
The morning began with a profound experience: the President’s Walk and Talk, a moving blend of storytelling and reflection through the streets of Lugano. Led by President Samuel Martín-Barbero and Director of Advancement and Alumni Nickolas Neibauer '05, what began as a lovely stroll quickly became something far deeper—a conversation that gently pulled alumni back into the heart of their Franklin story, as they walked in the street of Lugano.
As the group wandered from Paradiso toward the city center, President Martín-Barbero and Nickolas invited participants to reflect out loud. They asked questions that didn’t just stir memories—they unearthed them. What’s one moment you knew Franklin had shaped you? When did this place stop being just a university and become part of who you are?
At the final stop—by the lake near the Lido, with the Alps standing quietly in the distance—President Martín-Barbero posed one last question:
“Can you recall a moment when you realized how much Franklin had helped you?”
The answers that followed were deeply personal, and powerful.
One alumna, now a teacher, shared that Franklin had inspired her to become the kind of educator who truly sees her students—because here, she had been seen. Another spoke of how his Franklin years gave him the courage to build an international career—moving fluidly across continents, thanks to the cross-cultural lens and confidence he gained on the hill.
A young alumna recalled leading high-stakes executive workshops in her early twenties, surrounded by professionals from all over the world—yet never doubting herself. “Because of Franklin,” she said simply, “I knew how to handle it.”
And then, the group reflected on feeling homesick following their graduation. Not just for a place, but for a time, a community, a version of oneself. The kind of homesickness that only exists when a place has truly become home.
By the end of the walk, the group hadn’t just toured the city—they had walked back through the time.
Then, as the afternoon gave way to golden light, alumni gathered once again at the Paradiso dock for one of Franklin’s most beloved reunion traditions: the Lake Lugano Boat Cruise Apéro. The boat drifted along calm waters as glasses of prosecco clinked and old friends leaned into conversation. With the sun setting behind the mountains and the city glowing in the distance, the moment felt suspended in time—a soft exhale, a reminder of life’s beauty, and of the friendships that endure.
But the night had one more chapter to write.
At the Franklin Gala Dinner, held at the elegant Hotel Splendide Royal, the celebration reached its dazzling crescendo. From the moment guests stepped onto the veranda for aperitivo, the evening shimmered with elegance and connection. Alumni reconnected over fine cuisine, heartfelt toasts, and reflections on Franklin’s 55-year legacy — each story a thread in the larger tapestry of the University’s history. A highlight of the evening was the special recognition of three of Franklin’s four founding members—Pascal F. Tone, Theo E. Brenner, and Wilfried Geens—who were awarded the Franklin Medal of Honor. Designed and handcrafted by the goldsmith sculptor Maros (pseudonym of Maria Rosaria Palmi), the Medal is a formal expression of gratitude and acknowledgment for exceptional service to the University’s mission and community. The evening also featured a silent auction, offering a curated selection of experiences, getaways, and a painting generously donated by alumni and Trustees.
The dinner, a four-course tribute to Ticinese culinary tradition, was more than a meal—it was a ceremony of memory and belonging. And then, with a shift in tempo and the opening beats from the DJ, the night transformed. The dance floor filled. Laughter rang out. Generations of alumni — some meeting for the first time — danced side by side, united by something larger than time.