(October 10, 2013)

Centenary Senior Keaton Roberson Receives CASE Jupiter Fellowship

SHREVEPORT, LA — Last May, fourth-year student and English major Keaton Roberson was awarded a Clarence J. Jupiter Fellowship in Institutional Advancement by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). As part of his fellowship Roberson will assist in implementing a student philanthropy program, an advancement ambassadors program, and the social media campaign "Know-a-Donor" series.

CASE is an international association of educational institutions that helps its members improve institutional advancement by building relationships with alumni and donors, raising funds, and marketing their institutions to students. Each year they award a Jupiter Fellowship to select undergraduate and graduate students of diverse backgrounds to work in the advancement field.

"The opportunities are endless for any student with enough drive and initiative to bring change to campus," said Roberson. "I also love the fact that CASE focuses on bridging the gap between students, donors, and higher education through these Jupiter Fellows...CASE and its Fellows want not only to emphasize the importance and uniqueness of these student-donor relationships but also to give donors and students a means to foster and nurture them."

Roberson is one of eight Jupiter fellows selected from applicants around the country. Each Jupiter fellow receives hands-on advancement training to gain experience in one of three areas—in Roberson's case, philanthropy. Jupiter fellows are also entitled to a paid internship, CASE membership, and mentoring from a CASE professional member.

Roberson will be working closely with Centenary's Assistant Director of Philanthropy Jesse Gilmore and Planned Giving Officer David Henington to implement philanthropic programs that benefit students and to enhance their relationships with donors and alumni.

"I've already started brainstorming ideas about reaching out to donors to forge connections with Centenary students," said Roberson. "I understand that both Centenary students and donors are extremely busy, but this is already one of the challenges I'm working around. I believe it's essential that we create our own ties to our donors and open up as many channels of communication as possible."

CASE was founded in 1974 in a merger between the American Alumni Council and the American College Public Relations Association. It is based in Washington D.C., includes 3,600 educational institutions and nonprofit organizations, and is run by over 4,000 volunteers.