CLP 2010: Day 1, Saturday, May 29 & Day 2, Sunday, May 30

Jun 3 2010 - 10:26am

College Leaders Program Class of 2010
Day 1—Saturday, May 29, 2010
Day 2–Sunday, May 30, 2010
Reported by: Hassan Abdelhalim, Mary Washington College

"Have any of you guys ever been to a dairy farm or a prison?" exclaimed Bob Gibson, Sorensen Executive Director, during the first orientation session of the 2010 Sorensen Institute's College Leaders Program. It was at that moment that I realized this was going to be a unique experience. It took me 20 minutes to drive the 10 miles down 29 North to the Grounds at UVa. I was excited to be immersed in a program based on ideals I was striving to improve and discover within myself. The College Leaders Program was in the all too familiar setting of my hometown. I grew up in Charlottesville and went to high school right down the road at Albemarle High School. I'm proud of Bodo's, the Downtown Mall, The Daily Progress coverage of local sports, Monticello, and everything that in my opinion that makes Charlottesville the best place to live in Virginia. I arrived yesterday ready to explore UVa grounds and meet the 26 other college leaders assembled from across this state and ready to grow. I quickly realized that it only took the same 20-minute, 10-mile drive I've taken down 29 North to get leaps and bounds outside of my comfort zone.

We all trailed into Bice between noon and 2 p.m. I begin the familiar tradition of checking in and meeting my new suitemates and other program members who had previously only existed as names in the Newsroom website or popup chat windows in Facebook. We made our claims to sides of the rooms, unloaded our cars, and shuffled around Bice going through introductions and knowing that each of us possessed special qualities that made us members of this year's College Leaders Program. Then orientation began in the basement, and we were offered the first glimpse of what we could become as graduates of Sorensen. We met all of our program coordinators all of which were graduates of the College Leaders Program and the Sorensen staff. Everyone was amazingly friendly, confident, professional and excited. It was my first indication that it would be a good month. 

After lunch we welcomed our first speaker, Jay Kessler. The pace was set–the Sorensen College Leaders Program had begun, and we weren't going to waste any time. Mr. Kessler, a native of Charlottesville, shared with us his experiences as an active fundraiser and successful businessman in the community. Mr. Kessler's message was simple and appropriate, "In my life I've realized that the individuals I trust the most are those willing to admit they don't know it all. Even if they are 90% sure of whatever the area of expertise might be, that final 10% is where the potential for sustainable dialogue is realized." We spent that afternoon defining civic engagement and community service and how the two can foster a culture of civility, trust, and pillars of leadership taught through Sorensen.  That will help us to become thoughtful, informed, and active citizens in the Commonwealth. 

After a night of moving beyond introductions, the group began to bond. I met other college leaders from schools all over Virginia–from Liberty, to George Mason, to UVa at Wise. We had only just gotten to break the surface and develop relationships before we all turned in for the night. We had an 8 a.m. wakeup for a full day of teambuilding at the ropes course. I proposed a toast to the uncertainty of what lay ahead, hoping for one thing, "May our best todays be our worst tomorrows!" and we all went to bed. 

The next day was full of ups and downs, highs and lows, and everything in between. People pushed their boundaries by swinging from 40-foot heights and solving complicated team puzzles on both high and low ropes courses. For me the day culminated in a high ropes course with teammate Chelsea. We reached the top and Chelsea started to have second thoughts. I wouldn't let her quit, and we made it through. I learned about my level of patience and my ability to coach someone through an unfamiliar situation when I myself had never gone through such an experience. 

After the first two days of Sorensen, I find myself in a state of eager anticipation. I could not have envisioned the diversity of my fellow leaders, the dorm, or any of the experiences of the first two days here. Something special is beginning to build. Even though all 27 accomplished leaders, volunteers and citizens in my class are used to living above the status quo and do not know how this experience will play out, I can sense that we are all on course to discover something deep within ourselves about our passion for civic engagement. Frankly, the first two days have played out like a hyper-condensed version of the second half of the camp scene in Remember the Titans. Personalities have emerged, bonding occurred quickly, and a considerate approach to new viewpoints has flourished. The difference between our group and the Titan team however, is that we can already envision the possibilities at the finish line and beyond. We'll make it to the end accomplished and succeed together as we ride out this wildly fun journey. It's destined to be a legendary month.