HELENA – Carroll College student Kelly Taft from Seattle, Washington, was recently selected as a 2017 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact for her demonstrated investment in serving others. She was one of only 273 students in the country identified for this honor.
“I am grateful to attend a school where I am challenged intellectually and spiritually. Because of my conversations at Carroll, I have a greater understanding of what it means to give back to society,” said Taft in response to receiving this award.
A third year political science and history major, Taft was nominated by Carroll College President Dr. Tom Evans. In support of her nomination, Dr. Evans wrote, “Kelly is currently a junior at Carroll College who has consistently exhibited outstanding leadership abilities and an exceptional commitment to service. She has demonstrated this commitment in a variety of ways from her leadership of the Carroll Outreach Team student club to her role as the Community Service Liaison for the Hunthausen Center for Peace and Justice. Kelly is widely recognized across campus as a collaborative leader dedicated to raising awareness and working toward long-term social change in the Helena community and beyond. She is an outstanding individual, a leader in the classroom, and someone other students admire.
“She has planned numerous fundraisers for local charities as well as for the international relief work of Catholic Relief Services. In addition to her roles with the Carroll Outreach Team and the Hunthausen Center for Peace and Justice, she is also a Catholic Relief Services campus ambassador. In this capacity, she has helped raise awareness about human trafficking and migration."
The Newman Civic Fellows Award is given to college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities across the country.
As a 2017 Newman Civic Fellow, Taft will be a part of the first cohort to benefit from a completely re-designed fellowship. The Newman Civic Fellowship is a one-year experience emphasizing personal, professional, and civic growth. Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides a variety of learning and networking opportunities, including a national conference of Newman Civic Fellows in partnership with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. The fellowship also provides fellows with access to exclusive scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.
“The cultivation of community-committed leaders has never been more crucial,” said Campus Compact president Andrew Seligsohn. “We rebuilt the Newman Civic Fellowship experience because our country needs more people who know how to bring communities together for positive change. We are thrilled to welcome this group of 273 exemplary students as the first cohort to participate in this new model.”
Newman Civic Fellows are recommended by the college and university presidents who affiliate with Campus Compact, a national network of over 1,100 colleges and universities committed to educating students and building community. The awards, sponsored by the KPMG Foundation and Newman’s Own Foundation, acknowledge motivation and ability in public leadership. The awards are made in memory of Frank Newman, who dedicated his life to creating systemic change through education reform.