The University of Olivet recognized 24 students as graduates of the college’s President’s Leadership Institute (PLI) during a ceremony March 27 at the Battle Creek Country Club.
President Steven M. Corey, Ph.D., and the founding faculty members of the PLI, including: Trustee David Labrecque; Provost and Dean Maria Davis, Ph.D.; and Today’s Leader Partners Charlie Burnham and Mike Bivens, were on hand to officially recognize students as fellows of the institute for having successfully completed the eight-segment program. Jim Heath, president of Stryker Instruments, served as the event’s keynote speaker.
“The founding faculty members of the President’s Leadership Institute are so proud of what these students have accomplished,” Corey said. “Throughout their college careers, they have been an example to their peers of what it means to be a leader on campus. As fellows of the institute, they’ve demonstrated the skills and character it takes to lead successfully in their professional and personal lives. We’re confident they will apply those skills in mentoring future generations of The University of Olivet students, as well.”
Launched in 2013, the institute was established to develop top leadership in Olivet’s students, as well as enable them to become the principal professional and community leaders of the future.
The college partnered with Today’s Leader, a management consulting company that specializes in business coaching and professional development, to design a program catered specifically to college students. The institute includes a variety of programs and initiatives to promote leadership, identify leadership talent, and develop effective and successful leadership qualities and skills in The University of Olivet students.
Successful institute graduates are designated as Fellows of the President’s Leadership Institute, and are invited to remain engaged in the activities of the PLI in support of future student leadership development, both while completing their studies at The University of Olivet and as successful alumni engaged in professional and community leadership roles.
The students were selected for the program based on academic excellence and exemplifying leadership on campus. This year’s graduates include: Benjamin Aldrich, a senior from DeWitt; Tyre Alexander, a sophomore from Austin, Texas; Philip Bielak, a junior from Brownstown; Theresa Damico, a senior from White Lake; Anna Davis, a junior from Charlotte; Jenna Edwards, a junior from North Branch; Milie Funk, a junior from Olivet; Chelsea Goodman, a junior from Reed City; Morgan Hall, a junior from Eagle; Brittany Hayes, a junior from Battle Creek; DaunTrell Hill, a junior from Grand Rapids; Travis Lankerd, a sophomore from Battle Creek; Helen MacQueen, a senior from Hastings; Jenna Mayle, a senior from Ionia; Raquel Mazur, a senior from Griffith, Ind.; Adrienne Plourde, a senior from Livonia; Tyler Russell, a senior from Bay City; Andrew Simms, a junior from Lyons; Mahalia Stelter, a junior from Coloma; Travon Tatum, a sophomore from Battle Creek; Megan Vermillion, a senior from Bath; Blayne White, a sophomore from Dimondale; Hailey Willett, a sophomore from Leslie; and Lindsey Winters, a senior from Plymouth.
For more information about the President’s Leadership Institute at The University of Olivet, contact Barb Spencer at 269.749.7642 or bspencer@uolivet.edu.