FC Graduate Student Receives Women & Hi Tech Leading Lights Scholarship
Campus News

Left to right: Jennifer Haffner, PA-C, Franklin College Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies, Scholarship Recipient Kelly Orze, and Megan Walters, PA-C, Franklin College Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies. 

Kelly Orze, a student in Franklin College’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program, was recently awarded a graduate scholarship from Women & Hi Tech at its Leading Lights Award and Scholarship Gala. The ceremony took place on October 6 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.

Orze resides in Franklin, and is in her first year of the Physician Assistant Studies program. She is originally from Crown Point, and completed her undergraduate degree in biology from Ball State University’s Honors College.

Franklin College’s Samantha Schick, a biology major with a focus in pre-veterinary medicine, was also nominated for a scholarship in the Undergraduate Scholarship Category. Schick, a resident of Indianapolis, was among 28 women vying for the award.

The Leading Lights Awards and Scholarship Gala is the Women & Hi Tech’s signature, biennial event focusing on celebrating Indiana women in STEM – women who are risk-takers, leaders, educators, mentors, and those who are changing the local STEM landscape. Over 80 women were announced as nominees and applicants for awards and scholarships. The event strives to celebrate the outstanding women and male allies who are working to advance STEM fields while cultivating a diverse pipeline of talented, future STEM leaders.

Women & Hi Tech is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in Indianapolis in 1999. This prestigious event focuses on celebrating Indiana women, including diverse women, in STEM – women who are risk-takers, leaders, educators, mentors, and those who are changing and impacting our local STEM landscape. With a membership of almost 2000 professionals and student operated by an all-volunteer working Board of Directors and Emeritus Member’s, women & Hi Tech is the only non-profit organization dedicated to representing women in STEM and to be inclusive to all.

For more information, contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185.

Written by: Lola Reed ’24, Pulliam Fellow

POSTED Oct 31, 2022