Newsroom

Congratulations to the members of the Candidate Training Program Class of Winter 2010, which graduated this past weekend! Look for photos in the Newsroom in the next few days.

In its Sunday editorial today, the Roanoke Times presented a thoughtful look at the work and mission of the Sorensen Instiute.

If a new generation of politicians does not get caught up in today's zero-sum politics, the General Assembly might dare to set aside rigid ideology and deal pragmatically with the challenges ahead.

Click here to read the full story.

Sorensen's central Virginia regional alumni hosted a reception this past Friday evening. The event was part of our re-invented alumni association, which is seeing all-new events for learning and networking among Sorensen Institute alumni. Thanks to Charlottesville Regional Alumni Chair Chris Fairchild (PLP 08) for helping to pull this great event together!

The Sorensen Institute is proud to announce the Program Coordinators for our 2010 youth programs season: Lauren Gilbert (CLP 09), Lacy Grey Howard (CLP 08), and Scott Van Der Hyde (CLP 09). The Program Coordinators help to direct our College and High School Leaders Programs, which are held each summer on grounds at the University of Virginia. They are critical to the success of the programs, providing on-site mentoring, instruction and leadership to our students. We are currently accepting applications to the 2010 College and High School Leaders Programs. Click here for more information.

Lauren Gilbert, of Alexandria, Virginia, will graduate this spring from James Madison University with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Political Communications.  While at JMU Lauren served as the President of a political club on campus, as well represented chapters of political clubs at colleges on the Executive Board of a statewide organization for young people in politics. Lauren has interned on Capitol Hill for a Congresswoman and helped work on multiple campaigns.  Lauren is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute's College Leaders Program Class of 2009.

Lacey Grey Howard, of Newport News, Virginia, is currently the Graduate Assistant for the Carolina Alumni Association at the University of South Carolina. In 2011, Lacey Grey will graduate from South Carolina with a Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration. Before attending USC, Lacey Grey worked in Advancement at her alma matter, Christopher Newport University. She also served as a legislative assistant for Senator John Miller. While a student at CNU, Lacey Grey served as the Vice President of the Student Government association. In 2008 she graduated from CNU with a degree in French and a minor in Leadership Studies. She is also a graduate of the Sorensen Institute's College Leaders Program Class of 2008.
 

Scott Van Der Hyde of Chatham, Virginia will graduate this spring from Radford University with a major in Political Science and a minor in Media Studies.  While at Radford University he served as a Resident Assistant and as president of the Resident Assistant Advisory Board.  Scott is a graduate of the Sorensen Institue's College Leaders Program Class of 2009.

In an email to members of the Sorensen Institute's State and Regional Boards this afternoon, Executive Director Bob Gibson announced that Marc Johnson would be leaving the Sorensen staff.

Marc will be joining the Tayloe Murphy Center—Virginia at the Darden Graduate School of Business at UVA, where he will serve as the Associate Director.  The Tayloe Murphy Center aims to help reshape disadvantaged communities within the Commonwealth into economically competitive communities. Marc will join other Center staff in reaching out to select communities within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Targeted communities will be defined by sluggish growth and overall economic distress. They will be communities marked by disadvantage, but which, with Tayloe Murphy Center support — education, leadership, alliances and resources — will be encouraged to reach towards reinvention.

"Marc's enthusiasm and commitment to Sorensen will be greatly missed by all of us," Gibson said. "Since he came to Sorensen in 2004 as an alumnus (CLP 2003) and the new manager of the College Leaders Program, he has helped teach and inspire literally hundreds of Sorensen graduates in pursuit of the institute's mission of improving political leadership and strengthening the quality of governance at all levels. As Assistant Director and Director of Programs the past several years, he has been a great help in building and strengthening all of Sorensen's programs."

"We all wish Marc the best as he pursues new opportunities helping direct the Tayloe Murphy Center's mission of helping distressed Virginia communities. I am delighted that he stays close by at the University in his new career endeavor and expect great things from him as he works to help stressed communities reinvent themselves."

Johnson said he has been "deeply honored to work at the Sorensen Institute for the past six years. It is an institution whose ideals and mission are compelling and easily inspire passion.  To have been part of pursuing that mission alongside Sorensen's staff, program participants, fellow alumni, and board members has been a true delight and inspiration.  As I move on to new challenges, I know that what I have learned from the people associated with Sorensen will be the foundation for my future work.  As an alumnus, I will certainly never be a stranger to the Sorensen Institute, and I look forward to supporting the organization in new ways as I leave the staff."

The Sorensen Institute will host its Fourth Annual General Assembly Reception in Richmond, the evening of February 10 from 5-7:30pm. This event, which has become a must-attend gathering in the Richmond political social calendar, will be held at the Suntrust Building. Please mark your calendars now. 

The annual Sorensen GA Reception honors our alumni serving in the Virginia General Assembly. There will be a total of eighteen Sorensen graduates serving in the Assembly this year.

This event is free and open to all Sorensen alumni, supporters, and members of the Virginia General Assembly. At this reception we will also be recognizing the 2009 graduates of any program who are in attendance as well as welcoming any of the members of the Political Leaders Program Class of 2010 who attend.

See you on February 10th!

**PLEASE RSVP to Rachel Casebolt at (434) 982-5234, rachel.casebolt@virginia.edu **

Members of the Candidate Training Program Class of 2009 (Winter and Spring) gathered for a reunion this past weekend in Charlottesville. The event was organized by Alicia Hughes (CTP Winter 2009, PLP 2009) and Frank Fannon (CTP Winter 2009). Both Hughes and Fannon won seats on the Alexandria City Council after graduating from Sorensen's Candidate Training Program early last year.

In fact, a total of seven graduates of the CTP 09 classes were elected to office last year— including four to the Virginia General Assembly (two Democrats and two Republicans).

The CTP 09 Reunion brought together Republicans, Democrats, and Independents in a spirited sense of friendship and celebration— a testament to the strong bonds that are created as a result of the Sorensen experience.

The Sorensen Institute's Candidate Training Program Class of Winter 2010 will meet at historic Carter Hall in northern Virginia on January 28. A Spring class is currently being planned for later this year at James Madison's Montpelier near Orange.

photo courtesy Kala Quintana (PLP 08, CTP Winter 09)

Nearly forty Sorensen alumni from the Hampton Roads region gathered this past weekend in Norfolk. This event, organized by Alumni Regional Chair Ann Flandermeyer (PLP 07) and an Executive Committee of volunteers, is just the first of many such events planned for the Tidewater area this year. photo courtesy Brenda Haegley (PLP 07)

The Winter 2009-2010 edition of Virginia Leadership is now available. Click here or the image at left to download a pdf of the Sorensen Institute's latest newsletter. This 20-page issue includes:

* Meet the PLP Class of 2010: We announce the names publicly for the first time!

* Celebrate graduation with the PLP Class of 2009, including class testimonials.

* Important information about the Sorensen 2010 Gala— ticket prices dropped!

*Sorensen Restructures Alumni Association— new events, new opportunities for learning and networking.

*New board member Adam Sorensen remembers his father, Tom Sorensen, for whom our organization is named.

* Sorensen will host Hendrik Hertzberg of the New Yorker and Richard Brookhiser of National Review in Charlottesville in March— get all the details.

*Plus much more in this new issue of Virginia Leadership!

The Sorensen Institute's Bob Gibson and Coy Barefoot participated in a panel discussion recently in Charlottesville exploring civility in public debate and discourse. The event was sponsored by the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression and titled "Free Speech or Disruption: Balancing the Rights to Speak and Hear."

Panelists included Bob Gibson, Executive Director of the Sorensen Institute; Elaine Jones, retired Director-Counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the first African-American woman to graduate from the UVa School of Law; Robert O'Neil, Director of the Thomas Jefferson Center and former President of the University of Virginia; Dahlia Lithwick, Senior Editor for Slate.com and a Contributing Editor to Newsweek; and John Whitehead, CEO and Founder of the Rutherford Institute. Coy Barefoot served as the moderator.

This was a fascinating conversation that explored from many angles the role of civility in public discourse today. Click here to watch a complete video of the event.