Social justice, access to education, diversity, healthcare, sharing the joy of art and preserving the environment are among the causes that animate the 2016 graduates of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
The 66 women and men earning Ph.D., Master of Arts, and Bachelor of Arts degrees or graduate certificates in Philanthropic Studies represent the largest number of graduates in the history of the school and its predecessor, as well as the largest number of B.A. recipients (18) to date. The fourth group of students to be graduated since the school’s founding in 2012, they will receive their degrees during Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) commencement ceremonies May 8.
The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, the nation’s first school dedicated to research and teaching about philanthropy, also will hold a school graduation ceremony at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis immediately following the IU Indianapolis commencement.
IU First Lady Laurie Burns McRobbie will be among the school’s graduates, earning its Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies degree. She will be hooded by IU President Michael A. McRobbie, who will speak briefly at the school ceremony.
“The nation’s more than 1.6 million nonprofit organizations need well-prepared, thoughtful professionals to carry out their important work,” said Amir Pasic, the Eugene R. Tempel Dean of the school. “Our graduates have studied and worked in these organizations. They know the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ of taking effective, meaningful action to address the issues that challenge our neighborhoods and our society, and they are ready to accomplish great things for people and communities across Indiana and across the globe.”
Derrick Feldmann, founder and president of Achieve, founder of the MCON national conference on Millennials and social good and creator of The Millennial Impact Project, will keynote the school’s ceremony. Feldmann is a 2004 alumnus of the school’s master’s degree program.
The 2016 graduates 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 new opportunities and positions such as:
- Selection to the inaugural Executive Leadership Education and Development program, American Red Cross National Headquarters
- Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government and Public Service
- Vice President of Development, Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
- Assistant Professor in Nonprofit Leadership, Seattle University
- Vice President of Development, ArtMix: art redefining disability
- Annual Giving Officer, Purdue University Research Foundation
- Director, Community Engaged Learning, Park Tudor School
Other graduates are continuing their current roles at organizations such as:
- Vice President for Development, Bloomington Campus, Indiana University Foundation
- Club Support Analyst, Kiwanis International
- Executive Director, Phi Sigma Foundation
- Program Assistant, The Clowes Fund
- Resource Development Associate, Boys & Girls Clubs
Several graduates have earned special honors, including:
- The IU Graduate and Professional School’s Elite 50 students list includes M.A. recipient Le Yang. Master’s degree alumni Wyatt Jackson and Melanie McKitrick also were honored on the list, as each pursued an additional degree.
- The William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion was awarded to bachelor’s degree recipients Brittany Florentine and Stephanie Fulk, and master’s degree recipient Adrienne Nordman.
- The Undergraduate Chancellor’s Scholar for the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is Jonathan Ferguson.
- An IU Indianapolis Women’s Leadership Award was presented to bachelor’s degree recipient Taylor Dooley.
- Dooley and Abe Roll participated in the Honors College program and will graduate with honors.
“We are proud of these talented, innovative people and all that they have already achieved as they join our more than 500 alumni around the world,” said Patrick M. Rooney, associate dean for academic affairs and research at the school. “As the next generation of nonprofit leaders and scholars, I am confident that they are eminently prepared to maximize the effectiveness of their organization’s mission and shape the future of philanthropy.”
The 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.