The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI celebrated its 10th class of graduates since becoming a school a decade ago, with students receiving their credentials during IUPUI commencement ceremonies May 14 at Michael A. Carroll Stadium on the IUPUI campus in Indianapolis.
Graduating students earned Ph.D., Master of Arts, and Bachelor of Arts degrees and graduate certificates in Philanthropic Studies from the world’s first school dedicated to research and teaching about philanthropy.
“Our graduates are prepared to be the next generation of leaders in philanthropy across a diverse array of types and sizes of nonprofit and private organizations,” said Amir Pasic, Ph.D., the Eugene R. Tempel Dean of the school. “The future of philanthropy will be strengthened by these thoughtful, innovative professionals and scholars who are already making significant contributions to improving the world.”
The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy held a school recognition ceremony in Indianapolis following IUPUI’s commencement, with alumni Robert T. Grimm, Jr., and George Suttles as keynote speakers. Grimm is the Levenson Family Chair in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy and founder and director of the university’s Do Good Institute and Maryland’s Do Good Campus. Suttles is executive director of Commonfund Institute, the education and research arm of Commonfund designed to partner with and support nonprofit institutional investors.
Graduating students Keenan Harrell and Rachel Ploss also spoke. Harrell earned his master’s degree online from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and a bachelor’s degree in sport and fitness administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Previously community relations manager for the Baltimore Ravens NFL team, Harrell is now a program manager of community impact for Okta for Good in Washington, D.C. Ploss is a graduate of the school’s accelerated master’s program, completing both her B.A. and M.A. in five years. She has been selected as a Fellow at The Patterson Foundation in Sarasota, Fla.
The 2022 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 earned new positions such as:
• Associate Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Relations for Stanford University’s new school focused on climate science and sustainability
• Climate and Energy Program Fellow, National Wildlife Federation
• Fellow, The Patterson Foundation
• Instructor, School of Public Administration and Policy, Renmin University of China
• Regional Representative, Plant with Purpose
• Director of Development, College of Business, University of Louisville
• Membership Officer, Galapagos Conservancy
Other graduates are continuing their current roles such as:
• Vice-President for Advancement, Johnson University
• Marketing Manager, World Bicycle Relief
• Development Director, Islamic Medical Association of North America
• Philanthropy Manager, Glick Philanthropies, and Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Gene B. Glick Company
• Director of Major and Planned Giving, Ventura College Foundation
• Strategy Officer for Research, Lumina Foundation
Some graduates have launched their own philanthropic initiatives or businesses. Others are pursuing further education, including studying in the master’s program in Social Justice and Conflict Transformation at Queens University Belfast and the Ph.D. program at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Bachelor’s degree graduate Lucy Hauser became the first Thomasson Scholar to graduate from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, completing her degree in just three years. As a Thomasson Scholar, Hauser received a full-cost scholarship which included the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, and books, as well as support for a semester of study abroad.
Several graduates earned special honors, including:
• Master’s degree graduate Ifeoma Akobi was named one of IUPUI’s Elite 50 graduate students.
• The Undergraduate Chancellor’s Scholar for the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is Ashlyn Devine, who graduated with highest distinction.
• Bachelor’s degree students Courtney Gamage and Lucy Hauser graduated with high distinction, and bachelor’s degree student Sierra Gilson graduated with distinction.
About the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI 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.