Fredericksburg, Va. – The University of Mary Washington launched a new student leadership development initiative that will support and develop student leaders within the collegiate environment, President Richard V. Hurley announced today.
A $25,000 contribution from the AT&T Foundation will support the new Student Leadership Colloquium, which will expose students to the many concepts of leadership and social responsibility that will enhance their intellectual and critical thinking skills, help shape their individual perspectives and help them understand and embrace the university’s Honor Code.
“I can assure you that honor is very much alive on the UMW campus,” said Hurley. “For generations, Mary Washington students have accepted the challenge to make their word of honor a pledge of absolute truthfulness in all matters.”
Hurley was joined by J. Michael Schweder, president of AT&T Mid Atlantic; Del. William Howell, speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates; and students and staff from UMW, during a presentation ceremony this morning at the university.
“At AT&T, we are driven to help students succeed — in school, in the workforce and in life,” said Schweder. “The Student Leadership Colloquium will help UMW prepare the next generation of community, business and civic leaders for success, and we’re thrilled to support their efforts.”
While the project is open to all students, those from under-represented populations, students at-risk of completing their degree and first-year students will be targeted as participants for the Colloquium.
“This program will forward leadership at Mary Washington,” said Doug Searcy, vice president for student affairs. “We are excited about the energy the grant will create.”
Mary Washington will aim to actively engage at least 50 percent of the under-represented student population in the 2011 entering class. A special focus of the program will be to form student understanding about how the Honor Code informs and impacts leadership and effectiveness. The Colloquium will assist in the development of the depth and breadth of the students’ world view, which in turn will contribute to their personal, social and academic success.