Tribune staff reports

Seymour resident Nancy Franke recently graduated from the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series Class of 2016-17.

Franke, who currently serves as secretary of the Seymour Community School Corp. board of trustees, is one of 20 Indiana women who have graduated from the program.

She will spend the year preparing for service in key governmental and political positions through the strong leadership and specialized training from the program.

Applicants for the series were evaluated on the basis of written and oral presentations along with recommendations from community and political leaders across the state.

Those selected to the series represent diverse backgrounds and interests while sharing a commitment to public service in an appointed or elected capacity.

The mission of the program is to increase the number and influence of Republican women in elected and appointed governmental positions at the local, state and federal levels.

Franke has served in the educational field for 25 years as both an educator and director of Christian education within the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

She also serves on the advisory board of the Duke Energy Academy at Purdue, sits on the Indiana District of LCMS Ministerial Health Commission and was a member of the Bicentennial Planning Committee of Jackson County. She also served as legislative committee’s Region 10 liaison for the Indiana School Board Association.

Franke contributes her time and efforts through volunteer and support of the Indiana USO, various youth mentor programs, interpreter for the deaf community and recently completed her second term on the board of missions at her home congregation.