Leadership Darlington: Growing Alumni Leaders

It's almost time to start recruiting and selecting candidates to participate in Leadership Darlington 2014. If you haven't heard of Leadership Darlington, it's an exciting program designed to develop the next generation of school leadership in our alumni community.

Modeled after leadership programs offered by local Chambers of Commerce and other organizations, Leadership Darlington seeks to educate alumni about the inner workings of the school and provide an avenue for them to become involved in volunteer roles that are most appropriate for them. Participants obtain an integrated view of Darlington, the internal and external forces that affect her direction, and the challenges she faces. They also experience an interchange with senior school administrators and participate in discussions about the future of the school.

Only in its third year, Leadership Darlington is already making a big impact on the 50+ alumni who were fortunate enough to participate in 2012 and 2013. Check out some of their testimonials below!

Leadership Darlington afforded me the opportunity to reconnect with the school and learn about the Darlington experience today so that I can be a more informed and supportive alumnus. - Will Thuston ’99

 

Leadership Darlington was a great experience for me. I feel like I bleed purple and white each day living in Rome, but it was a real eye-opener to see how Darlington is such a vital part of so many alums – and they don't get to experience it every single day, as I do. I am so very lucky to have been given the opportunity to go to school at Darlington and now to give back each day to a place that holds so many memories and has shaped my life immensely. - Beth (Bagby) Smith ’87

 

My retreat experience renewed my love for Darlington and the faith in the present and future Leadership guiding it into the next decade and beyond. - Tony Massing ’79

 

Leadership Darlington gives you the opportunity to contribute to the future of your school while continuing the proud traditions of its past. - Villa (Sulzbacher) Hizer ’66T

 

Since the merger with Thornwood occurred after my graduation, I never attended one day of “school” on the Darlington campus. While I would never be willing to give up one single day of my days on the Thornwood campus, I would so appreciate having time as a student on the Darlington campus. The facilities are phenomenal, the energy is amazing, and Darlington’s preparation of her students seems to be second to none. - Cindy (Hortman) Meeker ’71T

 

The Leadership Darlington retreat was one of the best weekends of my life. The values and drive to succeed that Darlington gave me is an inner strength for me every day. The sense of community, passion, and commitment to Darlington is still in each of us. I am amazed at how easily the walls come down being with other alumni from all generations and talking about the unforgettable memories that we all have. - Kim McConkey ’73

 

It was terrific to be back on campus and learn the business side of the school. I very much enjoyed getting to know other alumni that I would not have otherwise known. I came away from the weekend energized not only about Darlington but with the question, how can I better serve my community in other ways? Time is very valuable and giving my time felt amazing! I didn’t want the weekend to be over; I left wanting more! - Molly Kelly ’99

 

Darlington School is so much more than books and mortar. She’s a premier institution for developing young leaders. - David Muschamp’68

 

Leadership Darlington allowed me to reconnect with and meet alumni spanning generations and from across the country who are using the lessons learned at Darlington to form successful lives. I felt like I got the “inside track” on the challenges and opportunities confronting Darlington and how my alma mater is preparing her graduates and herself for a bright future. The retreat allowed me to tap in to a special network of administrators and alumni who are committed to excellence in all that they do, and I look forward to working with them to enhance Darlington as well as myself. - Marie (Hodge) Gordon’99

 

Darlington was a very important part of my life and shaped who I am today. This retreat reinforced the fact that we are still making a tremendous impact on students today. - Wright Bagby ’63

 

I have to admit that I was hesitant about attending the Leadership Darlington experience...even as I was driving to Rome. However, once I got there and attended all the sessions I was blown away! Not only was I overwhelmed with what all Darlington has to offer, but the camaraderie with my fellow participants was fantastic. I would definitely recommend Leadership Darlington to all alumni. - Langdon Cheves ’60

 

This past weekend I gathered with 22 other individuals with different skills, different talents, different passions, different personalities, and different backgrounds. Yet with all those differences, we met and worked together and discovered that part of what made us who we are was the confidence, the self-assurance, the love of life and learning we received while students at Darlington. We came to school here for different reasons and we came back for different reasons, but I have seen faculty and staff that still work to protect and improve that educational and social experience so important to our students. I have seen technology so far in advance of anything I could have dreamed of for my children as they were attending Darlington and plans for even greater advances. I am so privileged to be a part of Darlington’s past, present and future. – Karen (Candler) Tucker ’75

 

The entire experience of Leadership Darlington was a wonderful experience for me in terms of understanding the value of my own time there as well as the value of a Darlington education today. These are some of the words of the students we met, when asked about their Darlington experience: curiosity, leadership, encouragement, community, tradition, opportunity, diversity, and transforming. I don't think my words could improve upon theirs. - Susan (Adair) Blanton ’76

 

I learned more about what Darlington really is, and what it takes to keep Darlington viable and relevant, in a day and a half than I learned as a four-year boarding student plus 50 years of reading alumni publications since. I wish there were a way for every graduate to experience this about 10-15 years after graduation. - Bob Elkins ’63