In Linfield College’s first year as one of the 16 Kemper Scholars schools in the United States, two of its students received the prestegious Kemper Scholarship on May 13.
Freshmen Blake Densley and Joseph Gladow were recipients of Kemper scholarships this year. Applicants must be first year students and have a 3.0 grade point average or higher. They must also be mature students who are involved with extra curricular activities, have academic achievements, are involved in community service and possess leadership abilities.
Densley studies exercise science and serves as a student ambassador for the Office of Admission. He is also involved in the Associated Students of Linfield College Senate and is a member of the Outdoor Club.
Densley said he hopes to expand his already existing leadership skills.
“I hope to gain a good amount of interpersonal skills, more so than I already have. The Kemper internships will help me learn what it takes to be a leader in successful non-profit and for-profit organizations around the world,” he said. “I will obtain real world skills that will better help me in organizing my time effectively and to take on a different perspective from a college campus environment.”
In return, Densley would like to use the skills he learns in the Linfield community.
“With the knowledge and skills I will gain from the scholars program, I would like to set an example for other prospective students and current students since we are the future leaders of this world,” he said. “I would like to get into some sort of leadership position, whether it be in the student government (ASLC) or the Linfield Activities Board.”
Gladow, the second recipient, is also actively involved on campus. Gladow runs cross country and track, and serves as Treasurer-elect of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. Like Densley, Gladow hopes to gain experiences that he can use after graduating.
“I feel like the Kemper program will give me experience in some of the fields that I want to enter after college, as well as the opportunity to meet other students from around the country who have similar interests and ambitions,” he said. “Plus, connections with employers, organizations and other students can be extremely valuable in finding work after college.”
Gladow also said that he hopes to gain real world experience from the Kemper scholarship. By gaining this kind of experience, Gladow will apply these skills toward his academic career, but is unsure where he will apply his skills otherwise.
“At this point, I’m not exactly sure what all I will get involved with here at the college, and I hope the Kemper program will give me some more direction,” he said. “I’m currently running cross country and track, and although the skills don’t directly translate, I would like to become more of a leader in these programs later on.”
In receiving this honor, both freshmen will attend an internship with different non-profit groups in Chicago, Ill. Along with the internship, they will be awarded a scholarship in the amount of $3,000-$10,000 depending on the need, and they can earn up to $6,000 during their summer internships.
“I am incredibly excited and humbled by this opportunity and cannot wait to experience what it has in store for me in its entirety,” Densley said.
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Kaylyn Peterson/Sports editor
Kaylyn Peterson can be reached at [email protected].
