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First students to complete master’s degrees entirely online graduate

Monday, May 13, 2019

Erin Crowther, B.A.’17, M.A.’19

Elizabeth Boris, national philanthropy research leader and former board member, receives honorary IU degree

The first three students to complete master’s degrees from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy entirely online are among the school’s record-breaking 75 graduates.

Graduating students earned 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. They received their credentials during IU Indianapolis commencement ceremonies on May 11 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

Nationally recognized philanthropy scholar Elizabeth T. Boris, Ph.D., received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Indiana University during the IU Indianapolis commencement. A fellow at the Urban Institute, she chairs the Growth in Giving/Fundraising Effectiveness Initiative steering committee. She was a board member of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and formerly held the Waldemar A. Nielsen Chair in Philanthropy at Georgetown University. Boris was founding director of the Urban Institute’s Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy and of the Aspen Institute’s Nonprofit Sector Research Fund. She served as the Council on Foundations’ vice president for research and as board president for the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action.

“Elizabeth Boris has played a significant leadership role in advancing knowledge and understanding of philanthropy and nonprofit organizations through her distinguished career. We are pleased to honor her service to our field,” said Amir Pasic, Ph.D., the Eugene R. Tempel Dean of the school.

“We are also excited to welcome our first students to earn their master’s degrees entirely online, who traveled from California and Florida to set foot on our campus for the first time during commencement weekend,” Pasic said.

The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy held a school recognition ceremony at the Indiana Convention Center following IU Indianapolis’s commencement. Boris and alumna Caroline Altman Smith, M.A.’04, deputy director of the Kresge Foundation’s education program, were keynote speakers. Erin Crowther, B.A.’17, M.A.’19, was the student speaker.

The 2019 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:

  • Vice President of Financial Development, YMCA of Central Florida
  • Manager of Grants Administration, Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
  • Associate Director, CCS Fundraising
  • Inaugural Fellow, The Patterson Foundation
  • Senior Director of Divinity Programs, United Methodist Engagement and Lifelong Learning, Duke University
  • Development Coordinator, National FFA Foundation
  • Executive Director, Anthem Cares, Inc.

Other graduates are continuing their current roles at organizations such as:

  • Vice-President of University Advancement, Edinboro University
  • Director of the Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, American Cancer Society
  • Grants Manager, Community Affairs, Capital One
  • Donor Relations Director, The Salvation Army
  • Volunteer Coordinator, Victim’s Assistant Center, Waterton, NY
  • Director of Development, The Orchard School
  • Associate Director, Purdue Musical Organizations

Several graduates earned special honors, including:

  • Ph.D. graduate Thad Austin has been named to the graduate student Elite 50 list, along with continuing doctoral students Tiara Dungy and Meng-han Ho. Austin also was 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 Elizabeth Williams, who graduated with highest distinction. Williams also is the first student in the school’s accelerated master’s degree program.
  • Bachelor’s degree students Claire Ralston and Kelsey Annette Harrington graduated with high distinction. Bachelor’s degree students Ashley Elsey, Natalie S. Laskowski and Katherine R. Waggoner graduated with distinction.

Additionally, continuing bachelor’s degree students Macy Jackson and Nirupama Devanathan were named two of IU Indianapolis’s top 100 undergraduate students, recognizing their scholastic achievements and community service. Devanathan also received the top 10 designation.

“These outstanding students are the next generation of leaders in philanthropy,” said Patrick M. Rooney, Ph.D., executive associate dean for academic programs at the school. “Its future is in good hands with these thoughtful, innovative professionals and scholars. It will be exciting to watch them 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, the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute. Follow us on Twitter @IUPhilanthropy and “Like” us on Facebook.

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