“My Dad always told my siblings and I to find something we truly enjoyed, so that’s what I did,” says the senior at Fairmont State University in West Virginia.
Kaylan’s father, William Chapman, died in a car accident in 2000. He studied both Mechanical and Electrical Engineering in college and loved his job. This career choice turned out to be the right path for both Kaylan and her younger sister Dana, also an EEG recipient. Kaylan will graduate this spring with a degree in Occupational Safety Engineering, and her sister will do the same next year.
A Safer Place Wanting to make a positive difference in the world and with her academic strengths in both math and science, Kalyan found Occupational Safety to be her best fit. As an Occupational Safety Engineer, Kaylan will help develop methods to improve safety in work places, ultimately resulting in less injuries and damage.
“I want to make a difference in the world somehow,” explains Kaylan. “I want to live up to my family’s tradition of the being the best – especially my dad’s – since my last name is Chapman.”
That mentality has helped Kaylan maintain her 3.8 GPA and continues to motivate her to succeed. The small campus of Fairmont State has also benefited Kaylan. The smaller class sizes and accommodating professors allowed her to excel in her new-found major.
Help Along the Way With two children in college and an elderly father to take care of, Kaylan’s mother, Cathy Chapman, knew she needed help. That’s where the Elks National Foundation came in.
Children of deceased or disabled Elks are eligible to apply for an Emergency Educational Grant, renewable for up to 3 years. Kaylan first applied back in 2003, and has since received more than $12,000 in assistance. Dana has received more than $5,000. The family can’t express their gratitude enough.
“The grants relieved a great deal of financial stress and have enabled me to focus on my academics, as my parents wanted,” says Kaylan. “Thank you so very much for helping me reach my goal!”
The road to graduation day has been a bit longer than most, but this spring Kaylan will finish her college experience at the top of her class and unlike many college seniors. She’s about to embark upon a career she loves, which is surely something her father would be proud of.
The Elks National Foundation allocated $3.146 million in 2007-08 to fund its three scholarship programs. If you know an Elk child who may be eligible to receive an Emergency Educational Grant, encourage them to visit www.elks.org/enf/scholars/eefgrants.cfm, where they can learn more. For information about ENF’s other scholarship opportunities, visit www.elks.org/enf/scholars/ourscholarships.cfm.