Each scholarship recipient must commit to attending an annual Leadership Training Conference. The first two-day Leadership Training Conference was held June 20-21, 2008, at the University Of Arkansas Clinton School Of Public Service and Central High School, in Little Rock. Dr. Adam Green, Associate Professor of History at the University of Chicago, facilitated the Leadership Workshop, which explored the meaning, constituent values, and relevance of leadership practices. The workshop was attended by the Little Rock Nine and the scholarship recipients, who greatly enjoyed the opportunity to engage one another intensively, and learn from their diverse perspectives.
Some of the highlights of the Workshop were: 1) Leadership should be thought of as a practice, habit, and disposition which one cultivates and hones; 2) Leadership is based on an acute understanding of environmental conditions, usable models and of the problem at hand; 3) Leadership should not be seen as the opposite of failure; 4) Meaningful leadership is strongly related to an ethos of service; and 5) Leadership frequently involves working against consensus and customs.
“Thus far, I’ve been on the fencing team, and elected to the College Council and the Minority Coalition Boards. I’ve been involved with the Black Student Union, and served as an admissions ambassador who hosts prospective minority seniors in high school, who are considering attending Williams. I was also involved with JV volleyball, and muscle-fitness/weight lifting. During my sophomore year, I plan on continuing on both boards, and possibly starting a mock trial team. My grades ranged from B- to A-, however, my goal for the next school year is to maintain a minimum 3.7 GPA."
“During my freshman year, I became involved in several campus activities, including Habitat for Humanity. My dorm voted me as their ‘Woman of the Year.’ During my sophomore year, I will serve as my dorm’s senate representative and continue my involvement with Habitat. I am majoring in American Studies.”
“I attended summer sessions in 2007 and 2008. I am contemplating whether I should double major in Human Biology and Neurobiology. I continuously volunteer to help in different fundraisers and community service activities that are scheduled at my church.”
“During my freshman year, I pledged Phi Beta Sigma. I continue to participate in musical activities, where my talents have proven to be an asset.”
“I am presently pursuing a degree in Broadcast Journalism.”
“During my freshman year, I was a member of the Fisk University Choir. During the fall break, we toured Chicago, IL, to help raise funds for our school. I have dedicated some of my free time to volunteering with a program in the local elementary schools called Moves and Grooves. I serve as a mentor to children from kindergarten through second grade. I was also a participant in our homecoming festivities by serving as Miss Purple and Gold in the Court of the Campus Kings and Queens. I am majoring in Physics.”
“During my freshman year, I was part of a service learning community called Key Service, which required 30 hours of community service per semester. Another program that I actively participated in was ‘Public Achievement.’ In this program, I worked with eight boys, ranging in age from six to eleven, all from Iris Elementary School, in Ft. Collins, CO. The program requires the boys to identify an issue within their community and create addressing those needs. The boys chose hunger, and collected over 200 lbs. of food within a week, which was donated to a local food bank. I also volunteered in Commerce City schools, where we created a fun day, designed to show predominately minority students that college is possible”