Scholarship Recipient

Chelsey Forge, 2009

McGowan Scholar

William G. McGowan Charitable Fund

As Baker’s first McGowan Scholar, Chelsey Forge has set the standard high for all who follow. And she is in good company: The McGowan Fund awards one tuition scholarship - either undergraduate or graduate - to each school selected annually to participate.

Chelsey doesn’t have much time to dwell on this honor. A senior accounting and business management major from Oskaloosa, Kan., Chelsey serves as chapter president of Delta Mu Delta, a national honor society for students of business administration, and she recently completed a term as president of her sorority, Delta Delta Delta. She finds that these activities complement her studies and have helped prepare her for the independent study project associated with being a McGowan Scholar.

In Fall 2008, Chelsey had the unique opportunity to complete a proposal that recommends the addition of a fraud examination course to the curriculum at Baker. The process required extensive research of the history of fraud examination, identification and review of current programs at other colleges and universities, and development of a proposal for consideration by Baker’s academic leadership.

Upon graduation, Chelsey’s aspirations include becoming a licensed CPA and continuing her education in an MBA program. She is on her way to accomplishing these goals: “I recently accepted a job offer at an accounting firm in Kansas City, and I think I can safely credit being the McGowan Scholar for giving me an edge against the other applicants.”