MAKING A DIFFERENCE
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE 1902
SCHOLARSHIP
The 1902 Leadership Circle Scholarship, established in 2009, is awarded annually to undergraduate and graduate students who make a positive contribution to the economic and/or social good of their local communities. This competitive scholarship requires students to write an essay, comparing their drive, tenacity and entrepreneurial spirit, to that of the University’s namesake Benjamin Franklin. Donors to the Leadership Circle Scholarship make an annual contribution of $1,902 in tribute to the year Franklin University was established. Since its inception, the 1902 Leadership Circle Scholarship program has provided $96,000 in awards.
JANINE COOPER Attribute: Lifelong Learning
After working her way through the ranks of local government in finance and human resources, and after 10 years of taking classes one or two at a time, Janine Cooper completed her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Franklin University in 2006. With hopes of going directly into a master’s degree program, Janine had to take a break; a family member died unexpectedly, leaving her 15-month-old son without a parent. Janine cared for the young boy, giving her the opportunity to again live her favorite role: being a mother.
Eligible for retirement in 2018, she is quick to say “I will not be ready to stop being a productive member of society.” Janine’s post-retirement goals are to teach at a local college and prepare young people for lives of service in the fields of human resources and public administration.
MARIA McLAWRENCE Attribute: Service
Before moving to the United States, Maria raised the funds and co-founded a school for children with autism in Saint Lucia. Maria started Franklin University’s MBA program in 2013. For Maria, lending a helping hand doesn’t stop with family. She has mentored young people, cared for a student who had brain surgery, and also helped a fellow classmate who had an aggressive form of cancer study for a course they were in, as he successfully completed the class from his hospital bed. Now that her degree at Franklin is complete, Maria plans to return to her work at the autism center in Saint Lucia and establish a counseling service.
JASMINE SUAREZ Attribute: Determination
This spring youth from around central Ohio will have the opportunity to attend a Career Planning and Preparation workshop. This was in large part due to the hard work of Jasmine Suarez who wanted to continue expanding her volunteer horizons. The soon-to-be Franklin graduate in marketing has an affinity for giving back. She is enrolled in a program that will provide her the opportunity to teach English abroad, and is an assistant teacher for D.E.S.T.I.N.Y., a mentoring program for young women ages 7-17.
“For me, being a leader means walking side-by-side with those who look to you — not ahead of them. Guiding those who may have limited resources and opportunities is the type of leadership that I enjoy the most.”
SARA KNIGHT Attribute: Industry
Sara Knight describes herself as someone who builds the chapters of her life by helping others. As a photographer, she has volunteered with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, the Capital Area Humane Society, the Junior League of Columbus and Flashes of Hope, an organization that provides free images for families with children who have serious illnesses. In 2014, Sara started her bachelor’s degree in Marketing at Franklin University, and a few months later accepted a position as marketing coordinator at Flying Horse Farms, a camp for seriously ill children, where she volunteered her services the prior year. Sara will continue her degree while working full time, but she won’t lose her philanthropic spirit.
If you would like to make a contribution to the 1902 Leadership Circle Scholarship, visit
alumni.franklin.edu or contact the Office of University Advancement. A magazine for alumni and friends of Franklin University | 19.
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