National philanthropy leaders engaged with school receive honorary degrees from Indiana University
Nine new Ph.D.s in Philanthropic Studies were awarded to graduates of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU Indianapolis this weekend, the largest number of doctorates to be presented at one time in the school’s history.
They are among 62 women and men earning Ph.D., Master of Arts, and Bachelor of Arts degrees or graduate certificates in Philanthropic Studies from the world’s first school dedicated to research and teaching about philanthropy. Graduates received their degrees during IU Indianapolis commencement ceremonies on May 12 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.
Three leading figures in philanthropy received honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees from Indiana University during the IU Indianapolis commencement.
- Dr. William Enright, Founding Karen Lake Buttrey Director Emeritus of Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, created a new field of study focused on religion and philanthropy. Enright was instrumental in envisioning the institute, which he led for 10 years. It has now taught principles of money, faith, and giving to approximately 3,000 congregations and faith-based nonprofits nationally.
- Maureen Hackett, co-founder and president of the Hackett Family Foundation and a nationally known advocate for effective philanthropy and mental health, is the former chair and a lifetime member of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s Board of Visitors. Hackett and her husband Jim established the nation’s first endowed chair in women’s philanthropy, the Eileen Lamb O’Gara Chair in Women’s Philanthropy, at the school. The chair, which honors Maureen’s mother, is held by Dr. Debra Mesch.
- Jerre Stead, executive chairman and co-chief executive officer of DTN, is a lifetime member of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s Board of Visitors. He and his wife, Mary Joy Stead and their family, through the Stead Family Foundation, created the Stead Family Chair in International Philanthropy at the school as part of their commitment to developing philanthropic leaders. Held by Dr. Pamala Wiepking, it advances global understanding of philanthropy across borders and within cultures.
“These leaders personify the meaning of philanthropy,” said Amir Pasic, Ph.D., the Eugene R. Tempel Dean of the school. “Although they are passionate about different aspects of philanthropy and approach their philanthropy differently, each exemplifies many of the best qualities of philanthropic leadership, and our students can learn much from them. We congratulate them and we thank them for their dedicated service to our students and our school.”
The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy held a school recognition ceremony at the Indiana Convention Center following IU Indianapolis’s commencement. Alumna Angela Carr Klitzsch, M.A./M.P.A ’07, president and CEO of EmployIndy, was the keynote speaker.
The 2018 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 positions such as:
- Assistant Professor, Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin
- Assistant Vice President of Capital Gifts, Simmons College
- Foundation Manager, St. Vincent Hospital
- Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, helping to launch a nonprofit management program
- Associate Director of Communications, Complete College America
- Development Associate, Center for Leadership Development
- Campus Ministry, Campus Outreach
- Communications Director, Steuben County Community Foundation
Other graduates are continuing their current roles at organizations such as:
- President and CEO, CFRE International
- Donor Relations Officer, The Cleveland Foundation
- Controller and CFO, Consolidated City of Indianapolis and Marion County
- Major and Planned Giving Officer, WFYI
- Program Officer, Samerian Foundation
- Executive Coordinator, Big Brother, Big Sisters of Central Indiana
- Riley Society Gift Officer, Riley Children’s Foundation
- Mentor, Coburn Place Safe Haven
Several graduates earned special honors, including:
- Rosie Tarlton has been named one of IU Indianapolis’s Top 100 Undergraduate Students
- Tarlton, along with fellow bachelor’s degree recipients Elliott Dunbar and Taylor Parker, as well as master’s degree recipients Kinga Horvath and Mohamed Merzoug, were presented with the IU Indianapolis William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion, which recognizes exemplary commitment to the community.
- The Undergraduate Chancellor’s Scholar for the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is Liesel Jaeger, who graduated with highest distinction.
- Bachelor’s degree students Emily Jones, Victoria Musser, and Emily Rettig graduated with high distinction and bachelor’s degree student Jastyne Jackson-Burnett graduated with distinction.
“We are pleased to have helped prepare these outstanding students to be the next generation of leaders in philanthropy,” said Patrick M. Rooney, Ph.D., executive associate dean for academic affairs at the school. “At a time when philanthropy’s future holds many exciting possibilities as well as significant uncertainty and challenges, it is good to know that future is in the hands of these thoughtful, innovative professionals and scholars. We look forward to seeing the ways they improve the world.”
The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU Indianapolis 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.