Ashley Klopfenstein ’20 (Cicero, Indiana) has competed in PioBiz, studied abroad and will represent the student body as a member of the Student Government Association next academic year.
But her most exciting day as a Marietta College student may be when she learned she was awarded the Robert Evans Internship Endowment, which will provide her financial assistance when she interns with Plante Moran in Chicago this summer.
“I’m incredibly excited and honored to win this award. My internship at Plante Moran in Chicago this summer is an amazing opportunity, and this is going to help me be able to take advantage of it,” said Klopfenstein, who is majoring in both Finance and Public Accounting. “With the cost of living in Chicago being so high, this award is going to go a long way in covering my living expenses while I’m there.”
Denise and Mike Salvino ’87 established the Evans Internship in the spring of 2010 through a gift to honor Evans and recognize his substantial contributions to Marietta College and the McDonough Leadership Program. The program awards $5,000 to one qualified rising junior or senior who participates in an approved internship in a for-profit organization, specifically a major national or global organization.
The $5,000 can be used for relocation, travel, housing, meals, related equipment purchases, and other living expenses. Eligible applicants can be in any undergraduate major with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
“I want to thank the Salvino family for setting up this award and supporting experiential education,” Klopfenstein said. “I’m beyond grateful for every member of the Marietta community that has helped me get and take advantage of this amazing opportunity.”
Plante Moran is the 11th largest certified public accounting, professional services, and business advisory firm in the United States. The company offers audit, accounting, tax, investment banking, wealth management, and business advisory consulting services.
“Ashley will be the first Marietta College student to intern at Plante Moran’s Chicago office,” said Grace Johnson, McCoy Professor of Accounting. “We are delighted that the partners and senior managers at the office felt she has the right combination of technical, personal, and professional skills they look for in their interns. In a way, it’s an external validation of the kind of education we deliver at Marietta College.”
Klopfenstein has completed internships with Perry & Associates and Alliance Industries in Marietta, as well as an internship with Unum in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Dyersburg Tax Service in Dyersburg, Tennessee.
She is excited about the possibilities that await her in Chicago.
“I’m so happy to have this internship and I can’t wait to start working in Chicago,” said Klopfenstein, who is a McDonough Scholar. “During my interview at the Plante Moran Chicago office, I was blown away by how nice it was and how friendly everyone I met was. After my interview, Professor Johnson put me into contact with two Marietta College alumni and I got to speak with them to discuss their experiences with the firm before I accepted the offer. Speaking with our alumni made me even more excited about the position and thankful for Marietta College. I’m looking forward to spending my summer working in a totally new environment and being part of such a great company.”