The Institute of Political Leadership, with the assistance of a grant from the John William Pope Foundation, completed its very first College Fellows Program with a graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 10, 2006 on the campus of Peace College. “We are excited to be reaching out to our future political leaders at this critical time in their development,” said Dr. Robin Dorff, Executive Director of IOPL. “These young men and women have already demonstrated their desire, motivation, and commitment, and we are trying to help them prepare today for the significant political leadership roles they will one day assume in this state.”

The Institute of Political Leadership is a multi-partisan, non-profit, research and educational institution formed to improve the overall quality of political and governmental leadership in North Carolina at the state and local levels. The purpose of the Institute is to train and develop North Carolina citizens who have the potential to be the state’s future political leaders.

The students engaged in a week-long seminar focusing on all aspects of running for office and running the office. Guest speakers included former Speaker of the NC House, Joe Mavretic; former Secretary of State and Attorney General, Rufus Edmisten; former Legislator, Art Pope, political analysts John Hood and Chris Fitzsimon; political consultants and strategists, Gary Pearce and Brad Crone; and President of the Civitas Institute, Jack Hawke.

Mack Pearsall, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institute, awarded the certificates along with Dr. Dorff. The students represented seven different UNC system campuses and Georgetown University.

Graduating Fellows of the Institute’s College Program are:

Jake Anderson, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
Jaha Avery, University of North Carolina – Charlotte
Stefany J. Cameron, Western Carolina University
Leah Cope, Western Carolina University
Lynwood Ebron, University of North Carolina – Greensboro
Dan Fischer, University of North Carolina – Greensboro
Meegan Glynn, Appalachian State University
Josh Henson, University of North Carolina – Greensboro
David Humphrey, Appalachian State University
James Kotecki, Georgetown University
Mike Madren, University of North Carolina – Greensboro
Cindy Plante, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
Leehe Shmueli, University of North Carolina – Greensboro
Daniel Spuller, East Carolina University
Glenwood Williams, Fayetteville State University
Jerry Wilson, Jr., Fayetteville State University