Graduates serve in key international, national and local roles, from National Urban League to community centers
The largest number of Philanthropic Studies students ever to graduate from Indiana University will receive their degrees during Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) commencement ceremonies May 10.
The 53 graduates comprise the third group of students to be graduated from the new Lilly Family School of Philanthropy since its founding in 2012 and the largest since the 1987 founding of the school’s predecessor, the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. The 2015 commencement also includes the most bachelor of arts degree graduates to date.
The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, the nation’s first school dedicated to research and teaching about philanthropy, will hold a school graduation ceremony immediately following the IU Indianapolis commencement. Both events will be held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.
Aaron Dorfman, executive director of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) and an alumnus of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, will keynote the school’s event. NCRP is a research and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.
Graduates earning Ph.D., master of arts or bachelor of arts degrees in Philanthropic Studies, as well as the Graduate Certificate in Philanthropic Studies, represent a wide range of experience from veteran philanthropic sector leaders completing graduate-level programs that expand their knowledge and enhance their careers and organizations to civically engaged undergraduates.
Organizations across the philanthropic sector and around the world will benefit from the graduating students’ expertise. This year’s graduates have won positions such as:
- Vice President of Development, National Urban League
- Director of Philanthropy, Sheatufim, an organization working to strengthen the philanthropic sector in Israel
- Associate Director, CCS, a global fundraising consulting firm
- Program Officer, Ball Brothers Foundation
- Executive Director, Fay Biccard Glick Crooked Creek Neighborhood Center in Indianapolis
- Grant Writer and Foundation Officer, Indiana Repertory Theatre
Other graduates are continuing their roles at organizations such as:
- Executive Director, The Mexican Foundation for Education, Technology and Scienc
- CEO, Water for Good
- Grants Manager, Cigna Foundation
- Executive Director, Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA)
- Individual Giving and Research Associate, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Several graduates have earned special honors, including:
- William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion: Wyatt Jackson, Rachel Ogorek and Colton Strawser
- Undergraduate Chancellor’s Scholar for the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy: Elena Hermanson
Four Lilly Family School of Philanthropy graduates or students have been honored on the IU Graduate and Professional School’s Elite 50 students list: Frank Essien, Lijun He, Wyatt Jackson and Xiaonan Kou. Two students have been named to IU Indianapolis’s list of Top 100 undergraduate students: Stephanie Wooldridge and Lauren Kenney.
Learn more information about the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy graduates and their plans and aspirations at Meet our Graduates.
About the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change in the world. The school offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its academic, research and international programs and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute. Follow us on Twitter @IUPhilanthropy and “Like” us on Facebook.