“When I graduate in May, I want to show other survivors that there is life beyond being a victim of human trafficking.” 12. | Clocktower 2016 | alumni.franklin.edu Having started working at Nationwide just a few weeks after receiving the scholarship, it means a lot to know my co-workers are supporting my efforts and encouraging me. I’m nearing the end of my studies and financial aid is running out, without this assistance, achieving my goal of a degree in criminal justice would have been a lot harder. Pursuing undergraduate degrees Scholarships have a higher value than just dollars and cents. For Carmalita Geter and Roland Slade, two recipients of the Corporate Connections Scholarship, the acknowledgement has brought encouragement and renewed determination. STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Carmalita Geter and Roland Slade III have quite a bit in common. They share a home. They share a family. They are both pursuing undergraduate degrees at Franklin. And in mid-November, they shared in the encouragement and generosity of a group of dedicated Nationwide Insurance associates. “We decided to go out for breakfast and as Carmalita was driving my phone rang,” recalls Roland. “It was the Alumni Office calling to tell me I had just been awarded a Corporate Connections Scholarship. We were both so excited and decided breakfast would now be a celebration.” As the couple neared the restaurant just a few minutes later, the screen on Carmalita’s dashboard flashed an incoming phone number. “Roland looked at the screen, looked at me and then back at the screen before saying ‘That’s the number that just called me.’ What were the odds that we would both be selected to receive this honor?!” Carmalita asks with a laugh. “That breakfast turned out to be one we’ll never forget!” The news Carmalita and Roland received that day, each receiving a $1,500 scholarship, was made possible through the efforts of Corporate Connections, an African American men’s mentoring and networking group of associates employed by Nationwide. Founded in 2003 with 14 participants, today the group has grown to over 200 members across the company. Membership ranges from front line customer service representatives to middle-level managers to executive officers, including the chief marketing officer. According to John Jackson, associate vice president – mergers and acquisitions, and the chair of the Corporate Connections Scholarship Committee, “Our organization’s values really say it all. We see the inherent worth and value in all people, we act with honesty and integrity, we are focused on strengthening others and we welcome, respect and honor diverse life experiences and perspectives. That’s what we strive to model in our work, our relationships and our lives.” Over the past six years, 36 Franklin students have received a total of $54,000 in scholarship assistance through the donations of Corporate Connections members and matching funds provided by the Nationwide Foundation. “I’m nearing the end of my studies and financial aid is running out,” shared Carmalita, “without this assistance, achieving my goal of a degree in criminal justice would have been a lot harder.” For Roland, an applied psychology major, there’s a deeper meaning as well. “Watching her (Carmalita) studying, made me realize I needed to get my degree, too. The scholarship was a real boost for me, as I begin the process. Having started working at Nationwide just a few weeks after receiving the scholarship, it means a lot to know my co-workers are supporting my efforts and encouraging me.” So what’s next? Carmalita is looking forward to graduation later this year, then it’s on to pursue her master’s degree in the hopes of one day helping combat human trafficking in our community. For Roland, he’s anxious to complete this first step on his way to becoming a psychiatrist. And as for Corporate Connections, Jackson says they will continue to do their best to live out the group’s motto: “Each One, Teach One to Reach One” by helping working adults achieve their human potential through higher education. Roland Slade III Carmalita Geter & 13. A magazine for alumni and friends of Franklin University | 12. | Clocktower 2017 | alumni.franklin.edu