But Franz' career took a darker turn with his May 9 arrest in Freemont County, Colo. Franz, 41, was arrested after allegedly attempting to set up a sexual encounter with a minor.
Students at the university were informed of the arrest last week after Seattle University Provost John Eshelman sent out a campus-wide e-mail detailing what had happened:"A Colorado media outlet has reported that Andrew Franz has been arrested and charged in an incident last week that allegedly involved intended sexual contact with a minor."
The message also detailed actions the university had taken as of that time.
"The university is cooperating with Colorado law-enforcement authorities in their handling of the case. I have directed the Army to end Franz' assignment with the university," Eshelman said.
It closed with a firm statement regarding its position on the nature of the alleged incident.
"Our university policy is clear: We have zero tolerance of any sexual abuse of a minor."
It has also been found that the provost had a private conversation with Franz prior to the decision to terminate his employment. Paul Cotakis, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Cadet Command based out of Fort Monroe, Va., confirmed that the decision was mutual.
When asked to comment, Eshelman added only that the matter was out of the school's hands, and that Franz's case is being handled by Freemont County authorities.
Franz is being held on $50,000 bail. He faces eight separate charges, including seven felonies: criminal solicitation, enticement of a child, sexual assault on a child, trafficking in children, soliciting for child prostitution, pandering of a child and inducement of child prostitution. The eighth is a misdemeanor charge of unlawful sexual contact.
Many students were shocked, but the need to withhold judgement was felt.
"I can't really make any conclusions yet," said 18-year-old humanities and business major Jonathan Qu. "But what it sounds like is not a good story. In the end, though, it's not really up to me for decide."
Others were saddened by how the arrest could impact the university's reputation.
"I think it's unfortunate that when a Jesuit institution makes the news that it's always linked to crime or sexual matters. I think the arrest just further feeds the public image," journalism major Amy Phan, 21, said.
Franz's colleagues at the university were shocked by what was reported to have happened.
"Andrew was an excellent teacher, coach and mentor to his students and an outstanding citizen of the campus and local community," said Audrey Hudgins, the assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "This news comes as quite a shock. It is completely incongruent with the person I've come to know and admire over the last four years."
Cotakis said that at this point there are no punitive measures the Army is planning to take. Although he was serving in the military, Franz was working at the university as a contract employee and was hired through Communications Technologies, or COMTek, a third-party based in Virginia. (COMTek did not respond to several requests for a comment.)
Charges are expected to be filed on Tuesday, May 27.
Michael Lis-Sette is an intern at the Capitol Hill Times, as well as a student at Seattle University. He can be reached at editor@capitolhilltimes.com or 461-1308.
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