Alumni Achievements 

We have had many successful students attend the National Forum and State Forum’s over the years. The type of student who has participated in this work are often successful in their professional lives, but we have found it is often their willingness  to serve that sets them apart from those around them.

Jessica Jackley co-founded Kiva, the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website. Jessica was also named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people for 2008. Kiva gained large success after Jessica's appearance on Oprah in 2007. In 2009, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton mentioned Kiva during her commencement speech at NYU. We are proud to call Jessica a friend and wish her and Kiva continued success. Here is the clip from Secretary Clinton's commencement speech:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Secretary-Clinton-Launches-the-Virtual-Student-Foreign-Service-Initiative/ For more information about the work Jessica is doing visit www.kiva.org.

 
Matt Morton was awarded the United Kingdom’s International Student of the Year Award for 2009. This is one of many recognitions Matt has received. In addition he co-founded Youthfactor, a non-profit organization promoting the cause of empowering young people, the world's most undestimated factor, for affecting change in communities, programs, and policy. Visit their website at www.theyouthfactor.org for more information.
 
 
 
Brittany Merril is the founder and president of the non profit, Ugandan American Partnership Organization (UAPO).  During a college trip to Uganda, Brittany met a Ugandan woman named Sarah Kamara.  Although they lived in vastly different worlds they found common ground in their love for orphans. Together they started the non profit UAPO. UAPO addresses the needs of Uganda by empowering communities to make sustainable changes for the future. The organization was recently featured on CNN. To see that video and to get more information about UAPO, visit their website: http://www.theuapo.org/.
 
 
 
 
Baylor graduate Jon Rolph thought he was following in the footsteps of Steven Spielberg, instead he finds himself in Wichita, KS. He choose to return home to the family business and has since made a real impact on his community. Not yet 30 years old he has become an integral part of Wichita’s community development, and was recently recognized by the Wichita Eagle for his leadership in the community. To see this story please visit the Wichita Eagle website at http://www.kansas.com/business/story/829274.html.
 
 
 
 
In 2004, brothers Raan, Shea, and Stenn Parton began designing and manufacturing garments under the banner of Apolis Activism - an independent contemporary brand – with the desire to create a unique bridge between commerce and sustainable development. Since Apolis Activism’s inception, the brothers have pioneered a unique business model that creates opportunities for developing economies by connecting them to the global marketplace through seasonal stories and products, and further, enables their customer to be directly connected with the hands that created their products. This fall, Apolis Activism released the “Philanthropist Briefcase” via the “Uganda Project”. By collaborating with the iconic American brand Filson and the Invisible Children Cotton Initiative, Apolis Activism has taken one of many steps in realizing their vision. Four hundred units of the Philanthropist Briefcase allow the Uganda Project to utilize three farmer’s entire yield of cotton for one year. In the spring, Apolis Activism will further their vision through the “Nepal Project” and the “Ecuador Project”. More information on these ongoing projects, the brothers, and the brand can be found at http://www.apolisactivism.com. 
 
 
"When I was Prime Minister, I had cause often to reflect on leadership. Courage in leadership is not simply about having the nerve to make difficult decisions or even in doing the right thing-- since oftentimes God alone knows what the right thing is. It is to be in our natural state -- which is one of nagging doubt in perfect knowledge, an uncertain prediction -- and to be prepared nonetheless to put on the mantle of responsibility and to stand up in full view of the world, to step out when others step back, to assume loneliness of the final decision-maker, not sure of success but unsure of it. It is in that "not knowing" that the courage lies. When in that state our courage fails, our faith can support it, lift it up, and keep it from stumbling."
 
Former British Prime Minister  Tony Blair, 2009 National Prayer Breakfast