Accenture Awards Scholarships to Eleven Outstanding American Indian Students

Eleven American Indian students from across the United States will continue their post-secondary education with the aid of $125,000 in scholarship funding from Accenture's American Indian Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship program, established in 2004, awards funding to the highest-achieving American Indian and Alaska Native students who are pursuing degrees and careers in technology and business. Criteria for scholarships are academic excellence, leadership ability, a commitment to American Indian culture and community and proof of enrollment in a federally recognized American Indian/Alaskan Native tribe.

"Now in our fifth year, the Accenture American Indian Scholarship fund is a critical resource for American Indian and Alaska Native scholars who want to pursue high education but require financial assistance,” said Randy Willis, senior executive sponsor of Accenture’s American Indian employee interest group. "We are honored to aid these 11 talented men and women who have demonstrated the aptitude and commitment to represent – and give back to – the American Indian community.”

The following six undergraduate Accenture Scholars will receive scholarships toward completing four-year baccalaureate degrees:

• Monica Briggs (White Earth Mississippi Band of Ojibwe), of Minneapolis, MN, is attending Hamline University
• Millie Bigler (Creek), of Sapulpa, OK, is attending the University of Oklahoma
• Jared Boerger (Kashunamiut), of Bethel, AK, is attending the University of Alaska, Fairbanks
• Kelsey Campbell (Inupiaq), of Palmer, AK, is attending the University of Arizona
• Cole Haskins (Cherokee), of Tulsa, OK, is attending Dartmouth College
• Kody Jones (Caddo Nation), of Mustang, OK, is attending Northwestern Oklahoma State University

The following five graduate Accenture Fellows will receive scholarships toward completing advanced or professional degrees:

• Ken Bernard (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa), Minocqua, WI, is attending Harvard Business School
• Keith Candelaria (Pueblo of Jemez), of Albuquerque, NM, is attending Stanford University
• Jessica Edwin (Native Village of Kluti-Kaah ), of Anchorage, AK, is attending the University of Alaska, Anchorage
• Shynoke Ortiz (Dine – Navajo), of Albuquerque, NM, is attending the University of New Mexico
• Catherine Wiley (Muscogee – Creek) of Anadarko, OK, is attending Oklahoma Christian University

"Accenture's American Indian Scholarship Fund supports our corporate citizenship focus, which helps individuals develop their skills to improve the economic well-being of their families and their communities,” said LaMae Allen deJongh, managing director of U.S. Human Capital and Diversity at Accenture. "We wish the Accenture Scholars well as they take the next steps toward the future.”

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With approximately 177,000 people in more than 120 countries, the company generated net revenues of US $21.58 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2009. Its home page is www.accenture.com.