Wesleyan’s 2006 Summer Leadership Institute travels to San Francisco
Over 150 years ago, “Eureka, I have found it!” signified the jubilation of a California gold miner striking it rich for the first time. Today, the state motto symbolizes the richness, prosperity and diversity found within the people of the Golden State. Similar to New York City, San Francisco is not only an immigration hub, but also a migration hub for a diverse group of cultures and ideas. The movement of diverse groups into San Francisco has shaped the commerce and appearance of the city and surrounding Bay Area. In a sense, many groups “have found it” in the Bay Area and turned it into one of the most unique locations in the country.
Through the 2006 Summer Leadership Institute (SLI), a group of ten students plus their faculty and trustee sponsors traveled to the San Francisco Bay Area. The experience gave students a chance to learn about the Bay Area from cultural, historical, environmental, and business perspectives.
“Through experiences like SLI, we are preparing our students for leadership roles in a world that has become increasingly urbanized and ethnically diverse,” said Wesleyan Assistant Professor of Chemistry David Edwards, one of three faculty sponsors for the 2006 trip. “The ever-growing expansion of cities introduces new challenges for all leaders, but perhaps especially women leaders. San Francisco opened our minds to questions of urban planning, environmental concerns resulting from mass consumption, and challenges associated with forming cohesive communities from diverse populations.”
The 2006 SLI curriculum included pre-trip required reading to prepare the students for an intense itinerary of tours, speakers, and activities. The group walked across the Golden Gate Bridge and met with the Chief Bridge Engineer Dennis Mulligan; visited Pt. Reyes Lighthouse; saw beautiful Redwoods at Samuel Taylor State Park; toured the Wells Fargo Museum, the Asian Art Museum, Chinese Historical Society of America, and Mission Dolores; met with officials from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Community United Against Violence, San Francisco City Hall, United Farm Workers, and the National Parks Service. Other fun activities included a cruise in the bay with alumnae and President Ruth Knox, tours of wineries in Sonoma County, plus several memorable dining experiences at authentic area restaurants. The group even enjoyed a sing-a-long version of West Side Story.
The San Francisco SLI marks the seventh annual trip since the Wesleyan College Leadership Institute was formed by Wesleyan trustees and alumnae Diane A. Lumpkin ’63, Alexis Xides Bighley ’67, and Lynda Brinks Pfeiffer ’63 in 2000. Trustee and Alumnae Judy Woodward Gregory ’63 helped plan and organize the 2006 trip along with the institute’s co-founders, and the 2006 faculty sponsors.
The first SLI took place in Denver and Breckinridge, Colorado, where attendees also studied urban strategic planning, particularly the successful revitalization of downtown Denver. The second SLI, held in 2001 in Seattle, focused on genetics and emerging technology with visits to Boeing and Microsoft. Other institute travel sites have included Boston ’02, Sante Fe ’03, Washington DC ’04, and Minneapolis/St. Paul ’05. Students’ expenses including air travel, lodging, food, and activities are paid by the leadership institute.
Through the Wesleyan College Leadership Institute, selected students have the opportunity to grow and experience leadership possibilities in the real world. Ten rising senior students are selected each year through a rigorous application and interview process which begins each December. 2006 attending students were Khameaka Burrell, Morgan Faircloth, Morgan Felts, Tiffany Hatch, Chelsea Lalla, Phayon Lee, Miya Lewis, Ina Rachita, Nandini Sen, and Micah Wilson. |
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