Leadership Marshall County, a joint program between the Marshall County Community Foundation and the United Way of Marshall County, held graduation for the fourteen participants of Class XXI on May 11, in the Legion Memorial Building at Culver Academies.
Leadership Marshall County is a nine month program that takes place September through May, dedicated to cultivating today’s leaders to serve tomorrow’s community. Valerie Weis, LMC Chair, notes, “This is all about bringing leaders together, that may otherwise have never interacted, to find new and exciting ways to better Marshall County.” Participants gain valuable exposure to programs and service initiatives, while engaging in interactive assignments which raise community awareness and action. Involvement in group projects encourages further investigation into long-term community goals, strategies and planning objectives.
“As organizations that have deep ties throughout Marshall County, it is an honor to see these leaders start the next step of their journeys tonight,” said Linda Yoder, Executive Director of the Marshall County Community Foundation and the United Way of Marshall County. “Empowering graduates to lead our county is exactly what Leadership Marshall County is all about.”
Projects presented this year included the development of an application for Access Marshall County, a campaign to raise awareness about bed bugs and continuing young professional activities.
Dr. Kenneth Zirkle, President of Ancilla College, was the guest speaker for the evening. The Young Professionals Group, a project undertaken by Steve Boyer, Denise Burnham and Angie Fulton, received top honors and a $500 cash award to support their ongoing efforts. The number of LMC participants since the program’s start in 1995 now totals 332 and their impact is felt throughout the entire Marshall County community.
Registration for the 2016-17 Leadership Marshall County program will be open soon. For more information, contact the Marshall County Community Foundation by phone 574.935.5159 or email LMCinfo@marshallcountycf.org.
Attached Picture: Graduates of Class XXI of Leadership Marshall County. (Front row, left to right) Doug Brenner, Marcia Combs, Denise Burnham, Elsy Mendoza. (Middle row) Dr. Jim White, Liska Shilling, Angela Fulton, Steven Boyer, Lisa Miller, Nate Terrone. (Back row) Deborah Horvath, Mary Ann LaPlante, Burke Richerson and Mark Owens.
