Greenville, SC -- The first seminar for the inaugural class of Liberty Fellowship, the statewide leadership initiative sponsored by Liberty Corporation, Wofford College and The Aspen Institute, was held at Wofford College October 6-10.
"The Challenge of Leadership" seminar included two days of seminars based on writings of philosophers and social theorists; leadership and team building exercises; brainstorming sessions and the development of personal leadership statements. The twenty Fellows -- led by Moderators Skip Battle, Executive Chairman of Ask Jeeves and Senior Fellow of The Aspen Institute; Bernie Dunlap, President of Wofford College; and Jennie Johnson, Executive Director of Liberty Fellowship -- discussed pre-assigned classical and contemporary texts in depth.
“The 20 Fellows of the Class of 2006 validate our belief that South Carolina lays claim to an immensely talented pool of emerging leaders,” said Hayne Hipp, Chair and CEO of Liberty
Corporation and Founder of Liberty Fellowship. “The breadth and depth of this talent confirm that Liberty Fellowship will be an unequivocal success for decades to come. “
"The Liberty Fellowship seminar at Wofford College was the most transforming and intellectually stimulating experience I’ve had in some time,” said Liberty Fellow Dalhi Myers of Columbia. “The diversity of thought among participants makes each exchange mentally challenging and just plain fun.”
According to Liberty Fellow Mark Kent of Greenville, “The Liberty Fellowship seminar exceeded all of my predetermined high expectations. It touched all the corners of my life in moving and challenging ways, which speaks volumes for this in-depth program and process. From participants to Moderators to Mentors, the Fellowship is of the highest caliber.”
"Considering the speed and skill with which the inaugural Fellows glided about the ice, I and my fellow moderators felt like mere Zamboni drivers,” said Bernie Dunlap, Liberty Fellowship Moderator and President of Wofford College. “But it was exhilarating to be on the same rink with them and reassuring to know they're our next generation of leaders."
At the October 9th Closing Dinner, many Fellows also met their Mentors, who will offer Fellows principle-centered guidance throughout their two-year fellowship. According to Bob Hughes, Chairman of Hughes Development Corporation and a Liberty Fellowship Mentor, “At the closing dinner for the first class, I was in the company of the most impressive group of South Carolinians I have ever been with. It does an old guy good to know that there are such great young people eager to step up and take a role in South Carolina.”
The second seminar for Liberty Fellowship’s Class of 2006, The Executive Seminar, takes place during the Spring/Summer 2005 season at The Aspen Institute.
