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Transformation. It’s more than a word at ������Ƶ. It’s a goal, a commitment … and for students like Lyndsey Stewart, a life-changing reality.

Stewart will graduate from ������Ƶ Kokomo on May 12 and by her own account, “������Ƶ has been the largest transformation I have ever had.” Along with an Associate of Science in Business Administration degree, she’s leaving with experience, confidence, accomplishment and prospects she could never have imagined when she began her ������Ƶ journey two years ago.

A native of Logansport who now lives in Walton, Stewart is a 2015 graduate of Pioneer Junior-Senior High School in Royal Center. After high school, she joined the United States Navy, serving on the maintenance crew on the U.S.S. Nimitz, an aircraft carrier and one of the largest warships in the world, then stationed at Bremerton, Wash. Then came a stint in maintenance at the Tyson plant in Logansport. When she came to ������Ƶ, although she had never worked in a professional environment, she was interested in learning more about business careers. Looking for part-time employment on campus, she was encouraged to apply for an internship with ������Ƶ Kokomo’s Resource Development office. She was surprised when she was accepted, but it has meant the world to her future.

Looking at her today two years later, you see a confident young member of the Resource Development team, one who eagerly communicates with donors; who can step in front of any crowd and share her thoughts; who helps plan and execute events; who has helped the Student Government Association create a new scholarship; and who, on her own initiative, has created a partnership with Valvoline that offers a 15 percent discount on services to ������Ƶ students, faculty and staff. Hard to imagine the shy, anxious woman she was, the one who broke out in hives when it was time to stand in front of her Public Speaking class and present.

Without the Resource Development team of Kelly Karickhoff, Miriam Thomas and Patti Moore, Lyndsey says, “I wouldn’t be where I am today. They definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone, in a positive way.” She also credits Kim King, her Public Speaking instructor, for “the new Lyndsey.”

Kelly Karickhoff, executive director of Resource Development for ������Ƶ’s Kokomo Service Area, is excited to talk about Stewart’s transformation.

“Every year, Resource Development selects one student to serve as a ‘student fundraising associate,’ a paid internship opportunity to work 10 hours a week with the Resource Development team to thank donors,” Karickhoff said.

“Our donors love to hear from our students and Lyndsey has written hundreds of thank you notes sharing the impact of their giving from a student’s perspective,” Karickhoff continued. “She has watched the generosity of so many donors who believe and invest in our students and will pay it forward in the future.��“

“My internship at ������Ƶ has truly inspired me for my future,” Stewart said, “and I loved raising money to help my fellow students afford a quality education.”

While at ������Ƶ Kokomo, Stewart has racked up the accomplishments – selection for Phi Theta Kappa international honor society, which she served as vice president of communication, and National Society of Leadership and Success��(NSLS). She also has served as secretary of the Student Government Association (SGA).

“Lyndsey has become an important part of our team,” Karickhoff noted. “We have watched her grow professionally in this role and we believe she is ready to transfer on to finish her bachelor’s degree, enter the workforce and have great success. “

With her associate degree in hand, Stewart is looking at options in four-year schools where she can pursue a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources.

“I wanted to pursue my degree to show that anyone is capable of anything regardless of their background,” she has said. “If you want something bad enough, you will push to get where you want to be in life.”

She also credits her parents, Jimmy and Donna Stewart, who “never let me quit anything in life,” and sister Cami Stewart, “because I know I have always been a role model to her,” for pushing her to continue her education, along with her grandparents and “bonus family” inside and outside of ������Ƶ.

“I give a lot of my success here to those around me,” she said. “I am forever humble for all that I have accomplished because I was never alone. People were always supporting me.”

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On May 12, Stewart will share her story as a student commencement speaker.

“Without ������Ƶ, I know I would not have the steppingstones that I will need after graduation,” she says. “I had barriers that became accomplishments, and I am forever thankful for ������Ƶ.”

To learn more about our Business Administration program