Sorensen Staff
Apr 26 2008 - 8:28am
The following letter was mailed this past week from Bob Gibson, our new Executive Director, to all of Sorensen's board members and 1,000-plus alumni.
Dear Sorensen family,
I am honored and privileged to find myself following Bill Wood and Sean O'Brien as the third executive director of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia and feel a strong commitment to the soul of Sorensen. A political junkie who grew up in Arlington, I have had the good fortune the past 31 years to observe and report on Virginia's political life as a journalist.
I love the spirit so apparent at Sorensen of service to community and to Commonwealth. This bipartisan passion -- both noble and infectious -- has spread across Virginia for 15 years thanks to the staff and more than 1,000 graduates of this thriving institution.
I firmly believe that Virginia's politics can be strengthened and improved through the increased participation and understanding of folks who share Sorensen's spirit.
Please allow me to join you in coming years in sharing that energy with the people in every corner of the Commonwealth.
Sincerely,
(signed) Bob Gibson
Apr 6 2008 - 7:21am
Click here to read Bob Gibson's latest "Political Notebook" column in the Charlottesville Daily Progress in which he reflects on his years as a political reporter and his transition to the Sorensen Institute as the new Executive Director.
Apr 2 2008 - 1:36pm
The Sorensen Institute's Youth Programs were the subject of a recent episode of HearSay with Cathy Lewis on WHRO in Hampton Roads.
Guests included Amy Richardson of Virginia21, a graduate of the College Leaders Program Class of 2007, and Marc Johnson, Director of Sorensen's Youth Programs and a graduate of the College Leaders Program Class of 2003.
This is a fantastic conversation that explores the mission and impact of the Sorensen Institute. Enjoy!
Mar 28 2008 - 9:33am
Bob Gibson was a guest yesterday afternoon on "Charlottesville—Right Now! with Coy Barefoot." State Advisory Board member Paul Harris, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, also joined the conversation by phone. They discussed the recent news that Bob has been named the new Executive Director at the Sorensen Institute.
Bob breaks the news that he will continue as a columnist with the Daily Progress and as host of Evening Edition on WVTF. Paul also shares his thoughts about reports that he is being encouraged to consider a run for Attorney General in Virginia in 2009.
Please note: this conversation also includes discussion about the passing of Charlottesville radio legend Dick Mountjoy, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 61.
Mar 25 2008 - 8:30pm
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
March 25, 2008
The following is a message from Barbara Fried, Chairman of the Sorensen Institute's State Advisory Board.
This announcement was shared today with the members of Sorensen's State and Regional Boards as well as with our 1,000-plus alumni.
***
Dear Board members and Alumni,
It is my pleasure to inform you that the Search Committee has selected Bob Gibson of Charlottesville as the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership's new Executive Director. We are thrilled about this decision and are looking forward to Bob joining our team in late April.
Bob is familiar to many Virginians as the veteran political writer at the Charlottesville Daily Progress and as the long-time host of WVTF Public Radio's Evening Edition. Bob grew up in Arlington County and graduated from the University of Virginia in 1972 where he studied government and foreign affairs.
Bob is well-known at the University, in Richmond, and in political circles across Virginia. He has been a frequent guest speaker to Sorensen classes over the years, bringing with him a deep appreciation for the issues on which our programs focus. Throughout his professional career Bob has always stood for those principles which are at the heart of the Sorensen mission. As a reporter and political analyst, he has earned a strong reputation for fairness and thoughtful commentary. The members of the Search Committee unanimously agreed that the Sorensen Institute will be tremendously well served with Bob Gibson as its Director. I look forward to introducing you to Bob at our 2008 Gala on April 25.
The members of the Search Committee were impressed with and inspired by the diverse pool of candidates we had to consider for this position. Our highest expectations were surpassed. The quality of the applicants says a great deal about the work of the Sorensen Institute and about the positive influence our alumni continue to have in the Commonwealth. Each of you, in your own way, manifests that Sorensen spirit as you serve your community and Virginia. I speak for the entire board when I say, we are very proud of you.
I want to express my thanks to the members of the Search Committee who graciously volunteered their time. I sincerely appreciate their efforts, their valuable input, and their continued commitment to Sorensen.
I also want to extend my thanks to John Thomas, Director of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at UVA, for his leadership and contributions during this transition. John has indeed been a loyal friend to the Sorensen Institute, and we are in his debt.
This year we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Sorensen Institute. The vision shared by co-founders Leigh Middleditch and Michael Bills continues to be a vibrant and influential legacy. We can all be proud that Sorensen has become the national model of successful bipartisan leadership training.
Please join me in congratulating Bob Gibson and welcoming him to the Sorensen family.
With thanks and best wishes,
Barbara Fried
Chairman,
State Advisory Board
The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership
Mar 25 2008 - 8:24pm
Veteran political reporter and radio host Bob Gibson has been named the new Executive Director of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.
In a statement released today from Barbara Fried, Chairman of Sorensen's State Advisory Board, to board members and alumni, Fried said in part:
"We are thrilled about this decision and are looking forward to Bob joining our team in late April. Bob is familiar to many Virginians as the veteran political writer at the Charlottesville Daily Progress and as the long-time host of WVTF Public Radio's Evening Edition. Bob grew up in Arlington County and graduated from the University of Virginia in 1972 where he studied government and foreign affairs. Bob is well-known at the University, in Richmond, and in political circles across Virginia. He has been a frequent guest speaker to Sorensen classes over the years, bringing with him a deep appreciation for the issues on which our programs focus. Throughout his professional career Bob has always stood for those principles which are at the heart of the Sorensen mission. As a reporter and political analyst, he has earned a strong reputation for fairness and thoughtful commentary. The members of the Search Committee unanimously agreed that the Sorensen Institute will be tremendously well served with Bob Gibson as its Director. I look forward to introducing you to Bob at our 2008 Gala on April 25."
News coverage:
Appropriately enough, the Daily Progress broke the news in the Virginia media late this afternoon.
Click here for a story in the Daily Press.
Click here for the story at UVA Today.
Click here for a story in UVA's Cavalier Daily.
Click here for a story in Charlottesville's C-Ville Weekly.
Feb 22 2008 - 1:13pm
Coy Barefoot, the Director of Communications and Alumni Relations at the Sorensen Institute, has published the first comprehensive history of the Honor System at the University of Virginia.
Barefoot, the author of The Corner: A History of Student Life at the University of Virginia, published the Honor System study in the current edition of Virginia Magazine.
The article includes a complete timeline of honor at Virginia in addition to an online video hosted by Barefoot. The article points out that, contrary to a widely held belief, the UVa Honor System was not created as the result of the murder of a professor by a student in 1840—but was rather simply the result of an effort on the part of the faculty to curb cheating on exams.
Click here to access Barefoot's history of the UVA Honor System.
Jan 14 2008 - 7:50pm
We are proud to announce that Chris Wrobel, a graduate of the College Leaders Program Class of 2005 and a Youth Programs Manager for the HSLP 2005 and full 2006 season, has recently joined the staff at the Sorensen Institute.
Chris will be working through the spring as an Assistant to Marc Johnson, Director of Youth Programs, providing support in the planning and recruitment for the College and High School Leaders Programs.
Chris graduated with Distinction from the University of Virginia in 2007 where he studied History and Economics. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, and the Raven Society. Chris was also the recipient of the Katherine Underwood Murray Scholarship in 2006, which is awarded on the basis of merit to a student with a future in public service.
The Sorensen Institute is currently accepting applications for the College Leaders Program Class of 2008 and the High School Leaders Program Class of 2008—both of which will be held this summer on grounds at the University of Virginia. Click here to access the online applications or contact Chris Wrobel for more information at (434) 243-2470 or christopher.wrobel@virginia.edu
Jan 14 2008 - 7:02am
Marc Johnson, Director of Youth Programs at the Sorensen Institute and himself a graduate of the College Leaders Program Class of 2003, recently earned his Master's Degree in Education from the Curry School at UVA.
Marc earned his degree in the Curry School's department of Leadership, Foundations and Policy. The degree is in Social Foundations of Education, a field that is concerned with placing education in its historical, social and cultural context in order to better understand educational goals and practices.
Marc focused his studies on education policy and civic education. He wrote his master's thesis on teacher training reform, surveying best practices in how different countries prepare and certify their teachers with the goal of determining ways to improve U.S. policy in this area.
Way to go Marc!
Dec 21 2007 - 7:51am
Sean O'Brien's announcement is covered by the Charlottesville Daily Progress today.
Sean O’Brien, executive director of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia, announced Thursday that he will leave that post in about a month to become executive director of the Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier.
Click here to read the full article.
