Videos

The College Leaders Program Class of 2009!

From our Video Vault comes this brief piece about the history and impact of the Sorensen Institute. It premiered at the March 2006 Gala in Richmond. The video includes Senator John Warner, former Governor Mark Warner, Governor Tim Kaine, a host of alumni and supporters, as well as rare on-camera interviews with Sorensen Institute co-founders Leigh Middleditch and Michael Bills. Enjoy!

WVPT Public Television recently broadcast this program about the Sorensen Institute's Youth Programs. Guests included Sorensen's Marc Johnson (CLP 2003) and alumni Maribel Castaneda (HSLP 2008) and Martin Mash (CLP 2005). Enjoy! 

In just a few days, the Sorensen Institute will celebrate its 2009 Gala in Arlington. From the Newsroom Archive comes this historic video from our 2007 Gala in Richmond, at which we were very proud to honor Governor Linwood Holton.

As part of the evening's program, we shared Governor Holton's 1969 campaign commercials. These commercials had been preserved on 16mm film and were brought to our attention shortly before the Gala (many thanks to Michael Belefski). We had just enough time to get them digitized and edited together for the special event. These now historic commercials were shown publicly at Sorensen's 2007 Gala for the first time in almost 40 years.

Holton won the election that year, beating Democratic candidate William C. Battle. Governor Holton served from 1970 to 74, the first Republican in Virginia in the 20th century to hold that high office. You can also click here to watch a video of Holton's remarks from that memorable evening.

This has been an unforgettable year for the Sorensen Institute—the 15th anniversary of our founding. We hope you enjoy this collection of photos from throughout this special year. (Press the arrow to play the slideshow and click here to see a larger version of the photos)

On Friday November 7 WCVE in Richmond and WHTJ in Charlottesville will broadcast this episode of Perspective with Barbara Berlin. The program focuses on the Sorensen Instiute and includes interviews with Executive Director Bob Gibson and Sorensen graduates Delegate Chris Peace (PLP 2004, Chair of Richmond Regional Board) and Delegate Jennifer McClellan (PLP 2001, CTP 2001, and Vice Chairman, State Advisory Board). You have the opportunity to see it here first, weeks before the television broadcast. Enjoy! (this program lasts about 25 minutes)

Sorensen State Board member and former member of the Virginia House of Delegates Paul Harris was the keynote speaker at the High School Leaders Program Class of 2008 graduation ceremony this summer in Charlottesville. This is an incredibly inspiring and moving talk. Enjoy!

Martina Hairston of Roanoke was selected by her class to speak at the graduation ceremony for the High School Leaders Program Class of 2008 this summer in Charlottesville.

The Sorensen Institute is proud to present its High School Leaders Program Class of 2008.

The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership's College Leaders Program Class of 2008.