BlogsStudent LifeAdvancementAlumniUpper School
Leadership Darlington: Inspiring Engagement & Building on Success
Mar 13, 2014 10:29 AM
By Vicki (Slauson) Vincent - FF/S
As director of alumni relations I have the privilege of working with some really amazing alumni volunteers. One of these great volunteers is Alumni Council President Michael Van Cise (’97). Michael served at emcee for this year’s two-day Leadership Darlington retreat and here he reports on the program.
Alumni Council hosts successful Leadership Darlington program
On March 9 and 10, Darlington hosted 22 alumni and incoming Head of School Brent Bell for its annual Leadership Darlington program. Leadership Darlington is sponsored by the Alumni Council and serves the purpose of engaging high-performing alumni in discussing the school’s strengths and challenges to elicit unique perspectives, foster engagement, and engender support for Darlington. Participants learn about the internal and external forces affecting Darlington so they can develop a comprehensive view of Darlington and serve as advocates for Darlington in their communities.
This year’s class included alumni who traveled from California, Washington, D.C., Alabama, Tennessee, and New Hampshire, and who ranged from the Thornwood Class of 1963 to the Class of 2007. The 2014 participants included professionals in the fields of accounting, dentistry, medicine, nursing, human resources, education, law, real estate, lobbying and politics; business owners; as well as alumni in the fields of management, marketing and sales.
The honorary chairperson of Leadership Darlington 2014 was Distinguished Alumnus George Johnson ’54. Having served over 25 years on the Darlington Board of Trustees and most recently as co-chairman of the school’s successful $90 million Second Century Campaign, George was worthy of asking the question of this year’s Leadership Darlington participants, “What can you do for Darlington?”
In addition to sharing some life stories and anecdotes about his mentors and role models, George shared some of Darlington’s history with the Leadership Darlington class. George reminded the class that Darlington started with 24 students and only one teacher, using the second floor of a fire station for the lessons. Notwithstanding humble beginnings, George pointed out that Darlington rests on the shoulders of giants: John Paul Cooper, Alice Allgood Cooper, James Ross McCain, and J.J. Darlington. George also lauded the current leadership provided by Headmaster Tom Whitworth and Chief Advancement Officer Joe Montgomery, describing them both as inspiring leaders.
The class heard from Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, Linda Owens ('79); Headmaster Tom Whitworth and Academic Dean David Powell, among other administrators and directors at the school. As with the two classes that preceded it, the Leadership Darlington Class of 2014 provided new insight into ways to improve the school, offering “Big Hairy Audacious Goals” to which Darlington can aspire as well as other insights into programming, admissions and alumni relations.
Please email alumni@darlingtonschool.org to nominate someone for consideration for Leadership Darlington 2015 or to request an application.
Alumni Council hosts successful Leadership Darlington program
On March 9 and 10, Darlington hosted 22 alumni and incoming Head of School Brent Bell for its annual Leadership Darlington program. Leadership Darlington is sponsored by the Alumni Council and serves the purpose of engaging high-performing alumni in discussing the school’s strengths and challenges to elicit unique perspectives, foster engagement, and engender support for Darlington. Participants learn about the internal and external forces affecting Darlington so they can develop a comprehensive view of Darlington and serve as advocates for Darlington in their communities.
This year’s class included alumni who traveled from California, Washington, D.C., Alabama, Tennessee, and New Hampshire, and who ranged from the Thornwood Class of 1963 to the Class of 2007. The 2014 participants included professionals in the fields of accounting, dentistry, medicine, nursing, human resources, education, law, real estate, lobbying and politics; business owners; as well as alumni in the fields of management, marketing and sales.
The honorary chairperson of Leadership Darlington 2014 was Distinguished Alumnus George Johnson ’54. Having served over 25 years on the Darlington Board of Trustees and most recently as co-chairman of the school’s successful $90 million Second Century Campaign, George was worthy of asking the question of this year’s Leadership Darlington participants, “What can you do for Darlington?”
In addition to sharing some life stories and anecdotes about his mentors and role models, George shared some of Darlington’s history with the Leadership Darlington class. George reminded the class that Darlington started with 24 students and only one teacher, using the second floor of a fire station for the lessons. Notwithstanding humble beginnings, George pointed out that Darlington rests on the shoulders of giants: John Paul Cooper, Alice Allgood Cooper, James Ross McCain, and J.J. Darlington. George also lauded the current leadership provided by Headmaster Tom Whitworth and Chief Advancement Officer Joe Montgomery, describing them both as inspiring leaders.
The class heard from Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, Linda Owens ('79); Headmaster Tom Whitworth and Academic Dean David Powell, among other administrators and directors at the school. As with the two classes that preceded it, the Leadership Darlington Class of 2014 provided new insight into ways to improve the school, offering “Big Hairy Audacious Goals” to which Darlington can aspire as well as other insights into programming, admissions and alumni relations.
Please email alumni@darlingtonschool.org to nominate someone for consideration for Leadership Darlington 2015 or to request an application.
