By Mark Ambrogi
Three Carmel residents are being awarded a rare opportunity.
Katherine Funke, Alexandra Tigges and Samuel Vance have been selected for the Governor Bob Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship. Named for the late Indiana Gov. Robert D. Orr, the program pairs college graduates with Indiana high-growth companies for a two-year tenure of mentorship, networking, job skill development and professional growth.
Tigges, a 2011 Cathedral High School graduate who will graduate from Indiana University in human biology, will work at Angie’s List.
“I simply could not have accepted a better invitation after graduation,” Tigges said. “The Orr Fellowship exceeds any desire or expectation for my career and personal life. The reason for my excitement is because of its unique balance between its mentorship programming for the fellows and the ability for each person to have a personal growth experience in a different company. The recruitment process allows the fellows to be matched with companies that share our same values and demonstrate the importance of having loyal, committed employees that share the same passion.
“As I will begin my career with Angie’s List, my peers will be working in other highly innovative Indianapolis-based companies that hold some of the Midwest’s most promising business leaders. Nothing can beat an opportunity like that, and for this I am thankful.”
Funke, a 2011 Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School graduate who will graduate from DePauw in May, will work for Outlook, a health management company.
“During my job search, I knew that my ideal situation would be one where I would be able to further explore my interests and hone in on what I am passionate about.,” Funke said. “The Orr Fellowship offers me the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally in an environment where searching is encouraged.”
Vance, a 2011 Heritage Christian High School graduate, will graduate with a double major at IUPUI in Informatics and Economics in May. Vance will work at BidPal: a software company targeted at nonprofit fundraising events. Vance said working will give him great exposure to the worlds of nonprofit and for profit companies.
“What really attracted me to the Fellowship was the network that you are integrated into and all the career avenues which alumni of the programs have taken,” Vance said.
The three students were selected from more than 800 applicants for the final class of 45 Orr Fellows, with an average GPA of 3.7 among them. The program has a five-step application process which includes networking events and interviews. In addition to academic achievements, the applicants are judged on extracurricular involvement, leadership potential and previous job experience.
