To Our Pullman Scholar Community,

We are disappointed, but we have made the decision to not bring our Pullman Scholar Community together as initially planned at this year’s Pullman Scholar Symposium, scheduled for Wednesday, May 20th.

Coming together as a community is important to us. The annual Pullman Scholar Symposium is our chance to do that – to spend the day guiding and supporting current scholars and celebrating the accomplishments of our scholar alumni.  

But right now, what is most important is everyone’s continued health and safety. The pandemic is creating uncertainty for everyone.  

We look forward to seeing you soon, whether we gather online or we meet in-person post-pandemic. In the meantime, we will continue to keep you updated as we help today’s scholars adjust to their current circumstances and adapt to their “new normal.”   

If I can provide any additional information or answer any questions you may have about the scholars, the Symposium, or the Foundation, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

I hope you and your family are safe and well. 

Robin Redmond
Executive Director

We are pleased to announce Patrick T. Murphy, MS as our keynote speaker for the Third Annual Pullman Scholar Symposium.

Patrick graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. In 2015, he earned a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management with a Concentration in Fundraising Management from the Spertus Institute of Jewish Learning and Leadership.

Most recently, he earned a Certificate in Marketing Strategy from Cornell University and is pursuing a doctorate and the CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) credential. He is a proud Pullman Foundation Alumnus and has volunteered on the foundation’s associate board and scholar selection committee.

Patrick currently serves as the Associate Director for Communications at the Midwest Augustinians. He also serves as the volunteer Board Treasurer of 16th Street Theater in Berwyn, Illinois. Patrick enjoys traveling and composing music; he is currently writing his sophomore album, Give It Socks.

Patrick will be speaking about his fluid, ongoing journey since graduating on Friday, May 20, 2016. Make sure to RSVP today to secure your seat. There will also be a reception following his speech to interact with him and current Pullman Scholars.

In 2014, current Pullman Scholars and Alumni gathered at the University of Chicago Gleacher Center to learn, network and celebrate their accomplishments. On May 21, 2015, the 2nd Annual Pullman Scholar Symposium will take place–again at the Gleacher Center–and we hope that an even larger group of Pullman Alumni can join us!

Watch the video below for some highlights.

 

 

My name is Xiomara Contreras and I am a sophomore studying Communication Studies and Latina/o Studies at Northwestern University. I found out about the Pullman Scholarship through my uncle’s fiancé, who was a recipient of the scholarship about fifteen years ago. Last year, I had the opportunity to attend the Pullman Scholar Symposium at the beautiful Gleacher Center overlooking the Chicago River. During lunch, I met current and incoming scholars. It was exciting to learn about other scholars’ experiences, challenges, interests, academics, and involvement in college. I enjoyed talking to the incoming students because they had a lot questions about the college transition and simple things like, “What should I bring to my dorm?” I was able to give them advice, but I also got to learn from my other peers and how they overcame obstacles in school.

At the symposium, I learned proper eating etiquette, in case I ever have a dinner with a potential employer, and I also learned about money management after college. I have a better understanding about life after college, including managing credit cards, college debt, getting an apartment, and budgeting smartly. I especially appreciated the alumni panel. There were four alumni who explained their journeys from college to careers. Many expressed that they were undecided or learned that their major did not matter to the fields they wanted to enter. There was a chemistry major who became a teacher and an art history major who started a beauty salon business and was a gallery curator. I was happy to learn that my major would not determine the rest of my life. As someone who is undecided about what career to pursue, I was excited to meet alumni who made their majors flexible. They pursued what they enjoyed learning in college, but also chose careers that made them happy. (more…)