Congratulations to all of our 2021 graduates: You’ve risen to the occasion, and this is your moment.
We are so happy for you, and we can’t wait to see the difference you make in the world after graduation.
Please join us for a virtual ceremony on Sunday, May 16 at 6:00 PM ET to celebrate your achievements. There will be separate ceremonies for the undergraduate and graduate programs.
Congratulations also go to the many students who received both Kelley and IUPUI campus-wide awards and recognition in 2021. Alyssa Kane, BS’21, received the J. Dwight Peterson Key Award, which is the most prestigious award given to a Kelley Indianapolis Undergraduate student. A number of others were honored with Outstanding Student Awards and recognitions. Here is a full list of those students. Congratulations again!
This is a moment that, for many, is years in the making. We asked just a few of our graduating students about their journeys – and the moments that made the experience worthwhile.
Emily Fletcher, BS’20, Marketing and International Studies
What are your plans after graduation?
I have wanted to study law for a long time so I’m glad that I have the opportunity to continue my schooling at McKinney in the fall.
Looking back at your journey at the Kelley School at IUPUI, what are some experiences that stand out to you? What are you most proud of?
Going down to campus at in the morning on Sundays to meet with my I-Core team really stands out to me. Because of our conflicting schedules, that was the only time we could meet. I never thought I nor any of my classmates would voluntarily go to school on a Sunday morning, not to mention over half the group had to drive 30 minutes to get there. But we did what we had to do to meet deadlines, and I think that it is an important lesson we all will take with us into the work world. This was again shown in my senior capstone class when my group had to work around not only our schedules, but the whole situation with COVID that made it difficult to meet and make team decisions. Somehow this group also decided to have meetings, via Zoom, bright and early on Sundays. Despite the difficulty of never meeting our teammates in person and many technical problems, we pulled together a solid final project. I’m really proud of the initiative I learned to take in Kelley, whether that be with groups, with teachers or accomplishing my own assignments. Because of this I really learned how to both be a good leader and follower.
Do you have a Kelley moment?
After my final presentation in my communications class, my professor mentioned that my group mates had commented on me being a leader in the project. I hadn’t thought of myself as a leader, nor did I think others thought of me either. It was really encouraging to know that others saw me that way, and it gave me the push to consciously start to take more initiative. Many great things have come out of doing so, from career and schooling opportunities to life long friendships.
What advice would you give to current students, as you graduate?
The best advice I can give current students is to keep an open mind. I started in engineering, and I switched to marketing a year and a half into college. It’s never too late to make a major switch; don’t feel like you have to continue just because you don’t know what else you want to study. I ended up in marketing because my biggest pet peeve with engineering was that it wasn’t a social environment, and I realized in the work environment there wouldn’t be as much human interaction as I wanted. I didn’t know anything about marketing, but I just jumped in because I knew at the very least I would enjoy the working environment. Turns out, the field is perfect for me. Things can change, and that’s not bad. Always be open to at least learn about new ways of doing things. It can be really overwhelming to start something new, but with an open mind, you may realize it’s the best decision ever.
Harrison Griffin, BS’21, management and international business
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to continue my small business on Etsy, called Native USA Seeds. I also got a job with Cummins in Minnesota, which is fantastic seeing as it is amidst the pandemic.
Looking back at your journey at the Kelley School at IUPUI, what are some experiences that stand out to you? What are you most proud of?
When it came to my journey at the Kelley School at IUPUI, what stood out to me was this last year leading several different projects with peers and friends alike. What makes me proud is how well we did and how much I really grew and connected with my professors: Especially with Professor Brown.
Do you have a Kelley moment?
My Kelley Moment would be overcoming the initial challenges of the pandemic on our I-Core project, and working tirelessly to achieve our goal and succeed in our project.
What advice would you give to current students, as you graduate?
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Make sure not to give up, and continue to keep improving and to achieve your goals.
Shenyque Pitney, BS’21, accounting and finance
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan on taking a much-needed break and traveling around the states. I also plan on studying for the CPA and CMA exams during the summer before I start my career role.
Looking back at your journey at the Kelley School at IUPUI, what are some experiences that stand out to you? What are you most proud of?
IUPUI provides its students with mentors, tutoring sessions and math/IT labs, which set us up for success. I am most proud of getting involved in student organizations and making the most of my time at IUPUI.
Do you have a Kelley moment?
I have many Kelley moments. One that stood out to me was, being featured on KelleyIndy’s Instagram as a striving transfer student. I also participated in a Kelley Instagram takeover where I got to showcase “a day in the life” of an Amazon financial analyst intern.
What advice would you give to current students, as you graduate?
Get involved on campus; there are various student organizations. Every semester, meet with your Kelley advisor to make sure you are on track with your major/s and graduation date. Lastly, make friends, have fun and trust the process.
From all of us at the Kelley School of Business at IUPUI, congratulations to all of our graduates!
To see more outstanding students, head to our social media pages @KelleyIndy. To be featured, please send us a DM to our Instagram and Facebook pages (@KelleyIndy), or tag us @KelleyIndy!
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