Newsroom

Governor Tim Kaine spoke at the Sorensen Gala on March 22, 2006. Attached to this post is the complete audio file of his remarks.

Attached to this post are the remarks by Virginia's Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling at the Sorensen Institute's March 22, 2006 Gala.

Open the attachment to this post to hear the remarks at our March 22, 2006 Gala by Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell.

Attached to this post is the audio of remarks by Sorensen alumna Cathie France, Political Leaders Program Class of 2005, at our March 22, 2006 Gala.

Open the attachment to this post to hear the remarks by College Leaders Program Class of 2005 alumnus, Aaron Jennings, at our March 22, 2006 Gala.

Open the attachement to this post to hear Sorensen Executive Director Sean O'Brien's remarks at our Gala on March 22, 2006.

The Sorensen Institute was proud to sponsor an event during the recent Virginia Festival of the Book. Hendrik Hertzberg of The New Yorker magazine and Adrian Wooldridge of The Economist magazine traveled to Charlottesville and appeared for the first time together in an open discussion about current affairs moderated by Sean O'Brien. A standing-room-only crowd of well over 300 people turned out on Saturday afternoon, March 25, to hear the two speak. Among the topics discussed were religion in America, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Bush administration, and the future of the Democratic and Republicans parties. The Sorensen Institute will include both Rick and Adrian as speakers in our new Political Journalists Program, which we plan to launch next year. Belows are some photos from last Saturday.

Hendrik Hertzberg of The New Yorker magazine and Adrian Wooldridge of The Economist magazine on Charlottesville's Downtown Mall

C-SPAN's Book TV Bus was in town and grabbed interviews with both Rick and Adrian before their book festival appearance. The photo above was taken shortly after Rick's interview, which will be broadcast on C-SPAN's Book TV on Sunday April  2 at 11:30pm (and will include a quick mention of the Sorensen Institute!)

Rick, Adrian, and Sean during the Book Festival event

Rick Hertzberg's signs copies of his book, Politics, for a throng of fans at the festival

The Sorensen Institute was the subject of a special "Insight" program on WMRA, the Harrisonburg-based NPR affiliate. The show was broadcast yesterday afternoon, March 29.

Host Martha Woodroof interviewed Executive Director Sean O'Brien and Marsha Garst, a 1999 graduate of the Political Leaders Program. Marsha is now the Commonwealth's Attorney for Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

Click here to go the Insight webpage where you will find a link to listen to the program.

C. Douglas Smith, Executive Director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, and a graduate of the Political Leaders Program Class of 2005, was quoted in a recent edition of the Virginian-Pilot.

Regarding the issue of illegal immigration Smith said: "There's no way we're going to be asking for
passports and documentation in order to give someone a cup of soup and
a piece of bread. That's contrary to everything that the
sacred texts of Christianity, Judaism or Islam believe in."

This Just In from Virginia21:

Virginia21 Announces Leadership Transition
New hires will continue role as generational advocate for young people
 
RICHMOND – Virginia21 today announced the new staff of the Commonwealth’s and country’s first generational advocate for young voters.  Effective April 1, 2006, Kelly Porell will replace Jesse Ferguson [Political Leaders Program Class of 2004] as Executive Director and Laura Baker will replace David Solimini as Communications Director.
 
“We’re excited to continue Virginia21’s important work,” said Kelly Porell.  “Virginia21 has enjoyed significant support from young voters, community leaders and elected leaders over the past three years and we look forward to upholding that tradition of success.”
 
Kelly M. Porell, Executive Director. Porell served as Associate Director of Virginia21 starting in July 2005.  Her work as Associate Director has been instrumental in establishing Virginia21 chapters at the Commonwealth’s community colleges and expanding membership at existing chapters.  Porell graduated from the College of William & Mary in May 2005.
 
Laura A. Baker, Communications Director.  Baker served as Deputy Communications Director for Virginia21 beginning in January 2006. Before joining Virginia21 she worked in the Press Office of Governor Mark R. Warner. She will serve as the primary spokeswoman for Virginia21. Baker graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in May 2005 and is a Fredericksburg native.
 
Virginia21 is an action-tank involving young people from across the Commonwealth in the political process by providing information, directing advocacy and coordinating political action on a non-partisan issue agenda. Virginia21 is the Commonwealth’s and the country’s first true generational advocate for young people.