The Virginia "Jenny" Madden Award for Graduate Student Leadership and Service
Fall 2025 Recipient: Franklin Walden, MUP Urban Planning and MPA Public Administration
The Virginia “Jenny” Madden Award for Graduate Student Leadership and Service is named in honor of Virginia “Jenny” Madden for her many years of service to the Graduate School, the Staff Senate, and the University of Louisville community. The award recognizes a master’s degree recipient who exhibits leadership through service to the recipient’s program, college, discipline, the University as a whole, and/or the community.
Franklin (Frank) Walden is a graduate student at the University of Louisville pursuing dual master’s degrees in Urban Planning and Public Administration. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business (Management & Finance) and a Post-Baccalaureate in Economics from Indiana University Southeast.
Professionally, Frank serves as an Associate Planner with the Louisville Metro Office of Planning, where he reviews land development code, processes applications and applies GIS in zoning analysis. He has prior experience as a Planning Technician II with Floyd County Government, where he supported zoning, permitting and planning projects, and led the development of the Parks Master Plan and community survey.
Beyond his professional work, Frank is deeply engaged in civic and campus life. He has served as President of the Urban and Public Affairs Student Association at UofL, is a founding member of Strong Towns Louisville, and has held mayoral appointments to the Charlestown Board of Zoning Appeals and the Charlestown Tree Board. He also founded the “Clean-up Tunnel Mill Road” volunteer group, reflecting his commitment to community service and sustainable urban development.