NW Valley Times

Finance major Brecken Gutwein, a senior at Grand Canyon University (GCU), has been awarded the Orr Fellowship in Indiana. The fellowship program selected 74 college seniors, including one from GCU, alongside others from Purdue University, Indiana University, Taylor University, and Wabash College.

Gutwein plans to encourage more GCU students to apply for this two-year early career development program that connects graduates with businesses in Indianapolis and Evansville. "I'm hoping it feels like the start of something," Gutwein said. He aims to create opportunities for more students from his university in the coming years.

Originally from West Lafayette, Indiana, Gutwein chose GCU over Purdue University due to its climate and affordability but always intended to return to Indiana after graduation. His awareness of the Orr Fellowship since high school set a long-term goal for him.

Despite having a GPA above 3.2, Gutwein emphasized that the fellowship values leadership and community involvement over grades alone. His mentor Steven Emch, a GCU alumnus and president of the Orr program, played a significant role in guiding him. Emch remarked on Gutwein's potential: "I think he has a ton of potential. He's a natural leader."

The Orr Fellowship reviewed about 1,200 applications last fall, with Gutwein among the 6% accepted. This marks the first inclusion of graduates from Clemson University, Capital University, and GCU in the program.

Fellowship graduates have an expedited pathway into Indiana University's Kelley Evening MBA program. Emch noted Gutwein's acceptance as an indication of his capabilities: "You've got to be pretty top-tier to make it into that."

At GCU, Gutwein is actively involved as president of the Financial Planning Association and runs a bond fund with a friend through the Student Managed Investment Fund. He is set to work with a financial planning group based in Indianapolis affiliated with WestPoint Financial Group.

Gutwein expressed his passion for finance from an early age and sees his education at GCU as impactful on both personal growth and community service: "That's always been GCU’s thing... how financial-like services could be most impactful on other people."

His sister Isabella is also at GCU pursuing law school aspirations at Arizona State University.

Gutwein believes recruiting more students from GCU would benefit both the fellowship program and his university despite challenges convincing them to relocate: "Getting them to move to Indiana is the hard part... but I think there's real potential in GCU."

Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]