Putnam Named Kemper Scholar

"For-profit" and "not-for-profit" sound like opposites, but both kinds of businesses, as well as governmental agencies, have vital roles in dealing with social problems, in the view of Emily Putnam, Knox College's 2007 Kemper Scholar. Putnam, who recently completed her first year at Knox, was chosen for the prestigious Kemper Scholars Program, which selects outstanding students at an elite group of liberal arts colleges to promote the development of leadership and service in the areas of business and administration.

Putnam, who wants to work for a development organization in Africa, says that one of her objectives is to "understand how non-profit, for-profit, and governmental organizations work together to accomplish their goals," including alleviating poverty and combating disease.

As part of the Kemper Scholars Program, Putnam will receive annual scholarships and paid summer internships for her next three years at Knox.

Knox is one of just fifteen colleges in the United States that can nominate their students for the Kemper Scholars Program, sponsored by the James S. Kemper Foundation of Chicago.

Putnam has done extensive volunteer work, both in her hometown, Oklahoma City, and on the Knox campus. She filled leadership positions in the Ambassador Corps, a club at her high school, Classen School of Advanced Studies, that provided free tutoring in underprivileged areas of Oklahoma City, and in a Vacation Bible School for the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma that worked with children from an American Indian reservation.

At Knox, she has been active in Alliance for Peaceful Action, founded the campus chapter of "Students Taking Action Now: Darfur," known as STAND; and helped organize a fund-raising concert, "Acting on AIDS."

"Eventually, I want to work for a non-profit organization in Africa, either in economic and social development or in helping resettle refugees," Putnam says.

At Knox, Putnam said that she has found the diversity along several dimensions that she was looking for. "I looked at a large university, but people tended to stay in their own areas. Here, the professors are really good about acknowledging different points of view and encouraging you to look at alternatives."

Putnam said the same thing has applied to one of her long-time interests -- dance.

"When I came to Knox, one of my big interests was dance," Putnam said. Based on prior experiences, "I thought my only options were ballet or modern, but I'm interested in hip-hop and salsa. Now I'm choreographing a piece that has some hip-hop in it."

Putnam has studied French, German and Chinese, and was an exchange student for a month in Germany while in high school. At Knox she plans to major in economics. In addition to a minor in French, she wants to develop an interdisciplinary minor that looks at the effects of globalization on developing countries.

Kemper Scholars receive annual scholarships of between $3,000 and $8,000, based on need, during their sophomore, junior, and senior years of college.

Kemper Scholars also receive $6,000 stipends for work as interns in major nonprofit organizations in Chicago during the summer following their sophomore year. Scholars are placed in full-time positions where they can learn about administration, financial management, organizational strategy, fund-raising, and non-profit administration. During the Chicago summer, Scholars live in the same apartment residence hall and participate in a weekly seminar while having opportunities to explore the cultural, historical and entertainment aspects of the city.

During the summer following their junior year, Kemper Scholars are eligible for internship grants of $2,000-$6,000 to spend the summer working in a for-profit organization of their own selection, anywhere in the world.

Each fall, all Kemper Scholars attend a national conference to discuss summer projects, meet with former Kemper Scholars and consider topics in administration, leadership and business. They periodically read and discuss major works on leadership, service, ethics, or business; and they have frequent contact with Kemper Foundation staff to discuss the Scholars' academic and professional goals, internships and learning opportunities.
 
"The James S. Kemper Foundation believes that undergraduate study of the liberal arts represents the best preparation for life and career," said Dr. Ryan LaHurd, President and Executive Director of the Foundation. "The program aims to promote education in the liberal arts while providing students opportunities for career exploration and practical experience through internships."

"In this era of rapid change, complex problem solving, and globalization, we at the James S. Kemper Foundation are proud of our role in helping shape future leaders whose broad background and experiential learning opportunities as a part of the Kemper Scholar Program will make them eminently qualified for the exciting opportunities," LaHurd said.

The Kemper Foundation was created in 1942 with an endowment from Kemper Insurance Companies and its founder, James S. Kemper, and members of his family. The Kemper Scholars Program was founded in 1948.