Linfield College has been chosen as one of two Pacific Northwest schools to enter the Kemper Scholarship Program, offered to only 16 schools throughout the nation. Joseph Gladow ’14 (right) and Blake Densley ’14 (left) are this year’s recipients.
Gladow is majoring in international relations. In addition to his academic studies, he competes on the Linfield cross-country and track and field teams, hikes, backpacks, snowboards and plays saxophone.
Densley is majoring in exercise science at Linfield. He serves as a student ambassador with the Office of Admission and a senator for the Associated Students of Linfield College. He also hikes and backpacks in the Cascade Mountains with the student outdoor club.
Densley hopes to use his Kemper Scholarship to gain experience and connections with nonprofit organizations that promote environmental conservation. Ultimately, he hopes to pursue a professional path that connects outdoor activities to sports medicine or physical therapy, or to work with a business or nonprofit organization that has a connection to the outdoors or the environment.
Kemper Foundation officials believe that learning comes from being actively involved with mentors in gaining hands-on experience in real work environments. The program gives students opportunities to participate in pre-professional internships.
Kemper awards students money for college and internships. Students can earn up to $24,000 in financial aid during their subsequent three years of school and will receive between $3,000 and $8,000 a year, depending on need. They will also attend a national Kemper conference in Chicago.
Kemper scholars are chosen from a select group of 16 liberal arts colleges around the country, with one scholar typically named for each school,” says Deborah Olsen, competitive scholarships advisor at Linfield.
In its first year of participation, Linfield has received two scholarships. Kemper scholars are supported by the James S. Kemper Foundation.
