The Susan Johnson DeVoss Endowed Scholarship for Women in Leadership

SCHOLARSHIP BACKGROUND

The Susan Johnson DeVoss Endowed Scholarship for Women in Leadership was established in 2005 by Dr. Robert A. Johnson '40 in honor of his daughter, a 1965 graduate of Franklin College and a member of Franklin's Board of Trustees. This scholarship was established with a personal gift and matching funds from Lilly Endowment, Inc. While at Franklin, Susan majored in history and developed her leadership skills through her involvement with Student Congress and as president of her sorority, Delta Delta Delta. Her residence during her high school and college years with her family in Mexico City, Geneva and London developed her life-long appreciation for and understanding of the global marketplace. Upon graduation from Franklin College in 1965, Susan moved to New York City where she attended the nine-month program for college women at the Katherine Gibbs School. It was necessary to develop a set of office administration skills at this time as it was before women were admitted to corporate training programs. In 1966 after completion of this program, Susan was employed by the Chase Manhattan Bank where she held a number of senior human resources positions until her retirement in 1997. Susan was one of the first handful of female officers when she was appointed Assistant Treasurer in 1968. She was promoted in quick succession to Second Vice President and Vice President. At the time of her promotion to the Vice President in 1971, her picture was featured in two New York City newspapers as it was noteworthy for a woman to be appointed Vice President, particularly in the banking industry. Susan was one of the leaders in breaking the "glass ceiling" for women. The majority of Susan's career was spent in the International Department and included assignments as Human Resources Executive for Latin America and for the Asia Pacific area. The latter assignment was of five years' duration and was spent in residence in Hong Kong. Susan was a member of the International Personnel Association, the NFTC Compensation Committee and the National Foreign Trade Council. A member of the Franklin College Board of Trustees since 1997, Susan chairs the Honorary Degree Committee and is Vice Chair of the Development and Public Affairs Committee. She received an Alumni Citation from Franklin College in 1973 and was a guest speaker for the Tull Lecture Series in 1987.

SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS

This scholarship will be awarded to female students demonstating leadership ability, and first preference shall be given to those demonstrating financial need. The Susan Johnson DeVoss Endowed Scholarship for Women in Leadership award may be renewed annually as long as recipient maintains a satisfactory grade point average.