Brenden Engelke graduated from Gillespie High School in 2013, earning a Henry Marcacci Memorial Scholarship from The Partnership for Educational Excellence. He used the $500 award toward tuition at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE).
Brenden earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from SIUE in December 2016 and immediately began work on a master’s degree in accounting. “While attending SIUE as an undergrad, I worked in the business office,” says Brenden. “Now I am working in the business office as a graduate assistant.”
In the immediate future, Brenden plans to earn his CPA license. And his career has received a jump start as the result of an undergraduate opportunity.
“In the spring of 2017 I worked at RSM Accounting in St. Louis as an auditor during an internship,” he says. “I was offered a full-time position upon completion of my master’s degree. In the fall of 2018 I will begin working at RSM on a full-time basis.”
In addition to an accelerated path through undergraduate studies, Brenden had an opportunity to spend 10 days in Germany in May 2017 as part of an SIUE class. “It was a great experience,” he recalls.
In his free time Brenden enjoys listening to music, hanging out with friends, and watching Cardinals baseball and Blues hockey.
Brenden thanks The Partnership for helping with first semester college tuition and counsels future Partnership scholars: “Enjoy your time in college – it goes FAST!”
Brenden is the son of Brian and Lisa Engelke of Gillespie.