Gabe Franks’ passion to research and preserve has taken him not only to historic sites in Indiana, but also across the country. The 2024 recipient of the Luddy School’s Wilma Gibbs Moore Scholarship is a first-generation college student who graduated from IU Kokomo with a bachelor’s degree in History & Political Science in December 2023.
“I was inspired to pursue an MLIS degree over the course of my undergraduate studies because I knew I had an interest in research,” says Franks. He decided to earn his degree from IU’s’ Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering in Indianapolis.
“After reading extensively about different programs, I felt that the flexible structure of the program as well as the archives specialization matched the professional development that I was looking for,” he says of the Luddy Indianapolis M.S. in Library and Information Science degree.
“We are excited to be a part of Gabe’s journey and to see how our program helps him further his work of preserving and honoring the past,“ says Library and Information Science Department Chair Andrea Copeland, Ph.D.
The power of preservation
Franks’ enthusiasm for documenting past events and history has resulted in immersive and educational experiences in north-central Indiana and in Washington state.
“During my time at IUK, I made close connections with faculty that led to two internship opportunities: the Howard County Historical Society (HCHS) and the National Park Service,” he says.
“At HCHS, I was introduced to the inner workings of the professional environment that is involved with maintaining historic sites. In my role as Archive and Museum Intern, I participated in the accessioning and handling of artifacts, conducted research, and assisted with exhibits.
“The Seiberling Mansion is a beautiful historic home/county museum, and the preservation work speaks to the level of community involvement and passion.”
A life-changing experience
Franks’ second opportunity was a little further from home.
“Through the National Park Service and the Northwest Youth Corps, I was selected for an Education/Interpretation Park Ranger 3-month internship the summer of 2023 at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial,” Franks says. He packed up his things and drove west from North-Central Indiana to the state of Washington, spending the summer in the Puget Sound region.
At the memorial, “My primary responsibility over the course of this internship was to introduce visitors to the historical narrative of the incarceration event as well as the history of Japanese Americans that specifically lived on Bainbridge Island, Washington,” he says.
“On March 30th, 1942,” Franks says, “227 Japanese-American Bainbridge islanders were forcibly removed from their community, and sent via rail initially to Manzanar, a camp in the desert of southern California. From there, Bainbridge Islanders were sent to Minidoka in Twin Falls, Idaho.”
Through his internship, Franks was able to see the power of historical preservation first-hand.
“I had the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time with Lilly Kitamodo Kodama, a survivor of the incarceration event,” he says. “She was 7 years old at the time of forced removal and shared her experience with visitors consistently. Each time I would shadow her she was offering a different perspective. It was incredible to witness.
“I wouldn’t trade the opportunity and experience for the world, and I will forever look back fondly on the time I spent with the NPS and the Japanese-American community in the Pacific Northwest.”
Our history is a living legacy
Like scholarship namesake Wilma Gibbs Moore (pictured at right), Franks recognizes the importance of our diverse legacies.
“As a member of the Hispanic community, I am inspired by Wilma Moore’s dedication to the preservation of Indiana’s Black American history,” he says.
“I am humbled that I was selected as a recipient of this award that was created to honor her legacy. I think that it is incredible that she dedicated so much of her life contributing to a more inclusive and accurate history of our state.”
Looking ahead as he earns his MLIS degree through the Luddy School’s Department of Library and Information Science, Franks says:
“I want to conduct my career in the information profession with the mind-set that everyone has a story that deserves to be shared, and that it is important to make these narratives accessible.
“To quote Wilma Moore: ‘We all have a story, and we’re all historically significant’.”
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