In 2005, Accenture partnered with the American Indian Graduate Center to establish the Accenture American Indian Scholarship Fund. Over 100 students applied this first year of Accenture’s scholarship program, which searches out the brightest American Indian and Alaska Native students. Applicants were evaluated based on academic excellence, demonstrated leadership ability, commitment to preserving American Indian culture and communities, and proof of enrollment in a federally recognized American Indian/Alaskan Native tribe.
Eleven American Indian Students were selected as scholarship recipients. Undergraduate Scholarships were awarded to Samuel Kohn (Billings, Montana) attending the University of Notre Dame, James Lays Bad (Porcupine, South Dakota) attending the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, and Cassandra Toledo (Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico) attending the University of Arizona.
Graduate Scholarships were awarded to Wizipan Garriott (Washington, DC) attending the University of Arizona, Melissa Holder (Lawrence, Kansas) attending the University of Kansas, and Jarrid Whitney (Redwood, California) attending Harvard University.
Accenture also named five finalists as part of the program, who will also receive funding towards their degrees. Undergraduate finalist award recipients were Clinton Morgan (Poteau, Oklahoma) attending Washington University, Seth Pearman (Eagle Butte, South Dakota) attending Yale University, and Kelsey Young (Claremore, Oklahoma) attending Miami University. Graduate finalist award recipients were Glenna Stumblingbear (Anadarko, Oklahoma) attending Oklahoma State University and Delvin Yazzie (Tucson, Arizona) attending the University of Arizona.
In addition to the funding they received toward their degrees, scholarship recipients also have an opportunity to intern with Accenture as first-year graduate students or junior-year undergraduates and were invited to attend the Accenture American Indian Scholarship Reception held on October 15, 2005 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Kedrick Adkins, Accenture Chief Diversity Officer and US Country Managing Director, began with comments on leadership, relationships, and diversity for a group including a Grammy-winning artist and a former US senate intern; and represented numerous tribes, schools, and academic disciplines.
Norbert S. Hill, Jr., Executive Director of the American Indian Graduate Center, spoke on leadership and the responsibility to give back to their communities. Jay Calhoun, a consultant and co-founder of the Accenture National American Indian Networking Group, facilitated an interactive discussion on leadership and relationship building, where participants shared their perspectives on leadership, advice they have been given by mentors and tribal elders; and lessons they use to make them successful in the classroom, their communities, and the business world.
Accenture Retired Chairman Joe Forehand, Government Relations Director Liz Arky, and US Congressman Tom Udall (D-NM) joined the discussion; adding their perspectives on leadership and giving personal advice on the art of listening.
Each recipient was given a traditional Chief Joseph style Pendleton blanket in recognition of their past successes and future potential as American Indian leaders.