Six Taylor Students Awarded Orr Fellowship

Six Taylor University seniors have been accepted into the Orr Fellowship cohort of 2025. In this prestigious program, expectant college graduates are selected for full-time paid positions at leading Indiana-based companies. Upon graduation, Emma Gayed, Audrey Grimm, Kaleb Kolpien, Kayla Malmquist, Jenna Vander Ark, and Sam Voss will receive practical industry experience and build valuable connections with experienced professionals.  

These young professionals will be joining a cohort of 74 students from Indiana University, Purdue University, University of Notre Dame, and others. They will be entering various fields including community development and enrichment, staffing and recruiting, information technology, construction and materials, environmental services and specialty chemicals, and motor vehicle dealership. 

They come from a variety of academic disciplines including Finance, Management, Political Science, Philosophy & Economics (PPE), Spanish, Psychology, Communication, Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC), and Graphic Art. 

PPE major and Spanish, OVC, and Honors minor Sam Voss will be working with Wellborn Baptist Foundation, a Christian organization focused on investing in community-focused nonprofits. He shared, “I am amazed by all the ways God prepared me to step into this new position. As I look back on the last four years, along with all that went before, I know I would never have been able to architect all the experiences, lessons, conversations, etc., that led me to this point.” 

PPE senior Emma Gayed will be working with Cloud Accountant Staffing, an outsourcing company in the accounting industry. She shared, “This opportunity is a great chance to grow professionally and learn more about the staffing industry. I'm also looking forward to building connections with the other Orr Fellows.” 

Year after year, Taylor students are accepted into the Orr Fellowship program. According to Dr. Mick Bates, director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Taylor University, several academic experiences contribute to this. Through regular presentations, group projects, and problem-solving exercises, Taylor students develop the soft skills that prepare them for the rigorous interview process of the Orr Fellowship.  

Dr. Bates shared, “I often hear hiring managers comment that these attributes separate Taylor grads from others. For them, the intangible soft skills that cannot be trained are more important than specific job skills that they can train. Our students add value to organizations associated with the Orr Fellowship—and beyond.” 

Taylor University is proud to equip students to be Christ-like professionals and servant-leaders who impact their communities.  

About the Orr Fellowship 

Orr Fellowship’s mission is to recruit and develop the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs. It is a post-undergraduate career development program that pairs high-achieving students with future-focused businesses in Indianapolis and Evansville. Fellows make a two-year commitment and are hired full-time in a variety of industries.     

The program provides practical experience, professional development, and networking opportunities. Additionally, members become part of a vibrant peer community and serve the Indianapolis and Evansville communities in a variety of capacities.