Press Release: SEG goes to the White House!

Webmaster/ March 13, 2012/ Campus Champions of Change Challenge/ 0 comments

Grinnell, IA

Back Row: Kathy Andersen, Kyle Walters, Noah Most; Middle: Grace Philipp, Caitlin Deutsch; Front: Rebecca Mandt Photo Credit: Julie Bunt

March 13, 2012

The Social Entrepreneurs of Grinnell (SEG), a student-run nonprofit microfinance lending organization at Grinnell College, was named by the White House this week as one of the top five winners of  the Campus Champions of Change Challenge.

The White House gave particular recognition to SEG’s innovative Emergency Loans Project, which provides emergency, zero-interest microloans to pay for things like medical expenses, automobile repairs, education, and repayment of high-interest loans from payday loan sharks.

“The work of the Social Entrepreneurs is an excellent example of creative collaboration and compassion in a global context,” said Grinnell College President Raynard S. Kington, M.D., Ph.D. “Current Grinnell students, recent alumni and community partners have reached out locally and globally to improve the lives of others.”

In its five years of operation, SEG has expanded from providing international loans for small projects in remote communities to also assisting individuals in the local community. The microfinance organization has loaned more than $37,000 in 44 countries, with $13,000 going to 25 individuals in the Grinnell area. A coalition of volunteers comprised of students, alumni and local residents manages the lending and fundraising.

Six SEG members—Grace Philipp, Kyle Walters, Noah Most, Katherine Andersen, Rebecca Mandt, and Caitlin Deutsch—will attend an event at the White House on Mar. 15, which will be featured live on the White House’s webpage at 1:50pm CDT. The organization will also co-host an upcoming episode of the “Dean’s List” on mtvU. SEG would like to thank its supporters for this opportunity.

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