Thomasson Family’s generous gifts will support incoming undergrads as they earn degrees in helping others and prepare for careers in the growing field of philanthropy
Two first-year students entering the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU Indianapolis in fall 2021 are receiving all-encompassing, four-year scholarships because of generous gifts from the Thomasson Family.
The scholarships are equivalent to the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, and books, as well as support for a semester of study abroad.
Designed to attract talented, compassionate students to meaningful careers in philanthropy and nonprofit organizations, the scholarships are being awarded to excellent students who have demonstrated leadership in serving others through volunteering and giving back.
The new scholarship recipients are Emily Eshbach of Waterloo, Ind., a graduate of DeKalb High School, and Julia Robinson of Indianapolis, a graduate of Herron High School. They will be students in the school’s bachelor’s degree in philanthropic studies program.
Both 2021 Thomasson Scholars are already actively engaged in philanthropy. Robinson is a recipient of the Power of Children Award from the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. She was honored in 2016 for founding and operating “Love Yourself” Fashion Show, a service-based program Robinson started when she was in the seventh grade that helps women from the Wheeler Mission Center for Women and Children in Indianapolis see themselves as worthy individuals.
Eshbach interned at United Way of Allen County (UWAC) and Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana. As a United Way marketing intern, she wrote a series of essays highlighting community partners that received UWAC grants during the COVID-19 pandemic, and she worked with the community engagement team and volunteers. At Junior Achievement, Eshbach was responsible for social media planning and creation and helped launch stewardship campaigns thanking sponsors, partners, volunteers, teachers and the community.
Robinson and Eshbach will join previous recipients of Thomasson Family Scholarships who are current students at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, including:
• Lucy Hauser of Indianapolis, a graduate of Herron High School
• Lexi Ortiz of Kendallville, Ind., a graduate of East Noble High School and
• Emma Rota-Autry of Zionsville, Ind., a graduate of Zionsville Community High School.
“IU Indianapolis appreciates the great generosity of the Thomasson Family, which is making such a difference in student lives,” said Nasser H. Paydar, chancellor of IU Indianapolis and executive vice president of Indiana University. “Such support is vital to creating transformational educational opportunities for our students who can achieve even greater success as they strive to make the world a better place.”
Graduates of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy serve in change-making positions in nonprofit organizations, corporations and government. Their work helps change lives and communities and influences education, social services, health, arts and culture, animals, the environment and many other endeavors that make a lasting difference.
“These special scholarships help Thomasson Scholars gain the knowledge and experience to become entrepreneurial leaders in philanthropy. We thank the Thomasson Family for extending this wonderful opportunity to more students,” said Amir Pasic, Ph.D., the Eugene R. Tempel Dean of the school. “We look forward to welcoming Emily and Julia to the world’s first school of philanthropy and to helping them prepare for careers in leadership in the growing field of philanthropy.”
Students at the school have a passion for making a difference in the lives of others, for community service, supporting a cause or meeting a need. The school’s Bachelor of Arts in Philanthropic Studies degree program equips students to make their passion their profession, while preparing them for a job and a career in a field that has a tremendous need for new leaders.
“An education earned at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy benefits people and communities here in central Indiana and far beyond,” the Thomasson Family said. “We are pleased to be able to support students’ goals financially to allow them to pursue careers that will help them improve lives locally and all over the world.”
For more information about the Bachelor’s Degree in Philanthropic Studies program, contact Pamela Clark at pamelac@iu.edu or 317-278-8927.
About 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. The school offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its undergraduate, graduate, certificate and professional development programs, its 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, LinkedIn, or Instagram and “Like” us on Facebook.