University Park, Pa. -- Popular media frequently distill the complex issues facing the world today into sound bites, talking points and occasional shouting matches among opposing sides. A new Penn State initiative spearheaded by University President Graham Spanier, however, is seeking to ensure that the next generation of leaders develops the critical thinking skills necessary to make decisions based on all angles of a complicated issue.
The Presidential Leadership Academy at Penn State will welcome an inaugural class of 30 sophomores this fall for a three-year experience that will enable them to become leaders in their respective fields in a changing and challenging world.
"The truth of the matter is that in this world few things are black and white," Spanier said. "It is in the gray areas where people must come to terms with the decisions in the workplace, in their family lives, in their communities and across borders."
The first University Park campus students admitted to the academy come from nearly all of the University's academic colleges. More than 150 students applied to commit to the program for three years, and 40 were interviewed. Each spring a new group of 30 rising sophomores will be admitted to the academy.
Students will take a first-semester seminar taught by Spanier, participate in several field experiences, take additional courses that integrate the goals of the academy and complete a senior year capstone project.
Academy Director Melissa Doberstein said the academy is working with associate deans in the academic colleges to identify existing courses throughout the University that students can take that will integrate the endeavors of the Presidential Leadership Academy with a student's major or general education requirements. Students also will be assigned a faculty adviser and be required to participate in various lectures, events and other activities. Doberstein noted that the students also will be expected to write about their experiences throughout their three years in the program.
The academy was made possible by a $5 million gift to the University from alumni Edward and Helen Hintz, a couple that are among the University's most involved and generous benefactors.
"It is fitting that the Hintzes' most recent landmark gift to Penn State is creating a program to cultivate in some of our top students the same qualities that have characterized Ed's and Helen's involvement with their alma mater," Spanier said. "The Hintzes have been and continue to be extraordinary leaders for Penn State. I am very grateful for their support because I believe this initiative is at the core of the most important work we do."
Doberstein said the Hintzes have been very interested in the development of the academy. She said they have been particularly excited for the field experiences that have been planned so far for the inaugural class, which include a trip to New York City to meet with financial leaders, and a trip to Washington, D.C. to speak to national intelligence leaders.
"I think it's something they strongly believe in," Doberstein said. "They are very excited about the program and they feel it is very important to develop this kind of critical thinking right now."
Doberstein said nine of the first 30 are enrolled in Penn State's Schreyer Honors College, stressing that it is not just an honors program, but an opportunity for any qualifying University Park student.
The academy will develop as new classes enter and new issues become prevalent nationally and internationally. But the first group of 30 students has already expressed eagerness and excitement to begin learning the core lessons of the academy — to use critical thinking skills to become leaders in their careers, communities and nation.
"They've been so thankful for this opportunity," Doberstein said of the first enrollees. "When they graduate from Penn State and go out into the world, they will need these skills to rise and be leaders and serve our community. It's about examining the issues in the world and teaching students how to go about solving them without looking at just one side."
For more information on the Presidential Leadership Academy, visit http://academy.psu.edu/.
Following are the 30 students selected for the inaugural class, hometowns and major colleges of study. For biographical information on each student, visit http://academy.psu.edu/program/members2009.cfm.
Rachel Ackerman (Hazleton, Pa.) - School of Music/College of Arts and Architecture
Harry Anderson (Geneva, Switzerland) - Smeal College of Business
Meghan Barnett (Alexandria, Va.)- Smeal College of Business
ToriLynn Bell (Boiling Springs, Pa.) - College of the Liberal Arts
Justin Bish (Strattanville, Pa.) - College of the Liberal Arts
Kelsey Bradbury (East Amherst, N.Y.) - College of Communications and College of the Liberal Arts
Ilana Bucholtz (Doylestown, Pa.) - College of Communications
Daniel Conner (Peninsula, Ohio) - College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
August Dombrow (Franklin, Pa.) - College of the Liberal Arts
Lindsay Eisenhut (Lansing, N.Y.) - Eberly College of Science
Eli Glazier (Allentown, Pa.) - College of the Liberal Arts
Eboni Hatchell (Philadelphia) - Smeal College of Business
Katrina Kaumpf (Wexford, Pa.) - College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Celia Ligorski (Toms Rivers, N.J.) - College of Health and Human Development
Sisi Liu (Tianjin, China) - Smeal College of Business
Natasha Lundgren (Hampton, N.H.) - College of Engineering
Ariel Manning (Englewood, N.J.) - College of the Liberal Arts
Lauren McCullough (Saxonburg, Pa.) - College of Engineering
Kristen McKnight (Pittsburgh, Pa.) - College of Education and College of the Liberal Arts
Gary McMillen (McMurray, Pa.) - Smeal College of Business and College of the Liberal Arts
Stefan Orzech (Lancaster, Pa.) - College of the Liberal Arts
Christopher Randby (Richboro, Pa.) - College of Communications
Kaitlyn Randol (Denver) - College of the Liberal Arts
Thomas Rauch (Pittsburgh, Pa.) - College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Michelle Skalrud (Lake Ariel, Pa.) - College of the Liberal Arts
Matthew Stankiewitch (Schuylkill Haven, Pa.) - Smeal College of Business
Alexander Thomson (Mars, Pa.) - College of Engineering
Melanie Torres (Easton, Conn.) - School of Forest Resources/College of Agricultural Sciences
Sara West (Tampa, Fla.) - Smeal College of Business