Oct. 13, 2004

BUTLER JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO HONE LEADERSHIP SKILLS 

AT SRU, THANKS TO CONTRIBUTION FROM LEADERSHIP BUTLER COUNTY

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – When a group of Butler County professionals experienced Slippery Rock University’s Leadership Reaction Course, they in turn contributed $1,500 so Butler Junior High School students could benefit.

Leadership Butler County gave $1,500 to Butler Junior High School’s Starfish Program, as well as $2,500 to sponsor the “Whale Watch” station at SRU’s leadership course.

The Starfish Program, run by the students, provides leadership and mentorship opportunities to promote leadership from within. Starfish students will train at SRU as a result of the contribution, said Bill Rooker, a board member of Leadership Butler County.

 “It felt right to support SRU’s program,” Rooker said. “Hopefully, our support will help others to realize the same potential.”

Leadership Butler County, a nonprofit organization, works to develop leaders within the area.  It sponsors classes in which participants study health care, the political process, human services, media, education, the legal system and quality of life in the area. 

Twenty-two members of Leadership Butler County came to campus recently to dedicate their Whale Watch station and train. SRU’s Ken Howard, interim director of the Executive Leadership Program, put them through four hours of leadership and team-building training.

SRU’s course, modeled after an Army leadership course at Ft. Benning, Ga., teaches teamwork, communication and problem-solving through 14 outdoor activities.

 At the Whale Watch station, teams step atop a large board that teeters, then must work together to avoid falling off.

 Project funds were raised through a Night at the Races and other projects.

 Cutline: Jim Kushner (left) dean of Lifelong Learning at SRU, SRU President Robert Smith, Ruth Purcell, director of university advancement, and Leadership Butler County’s Bill Rooker and Stan Kosciuszko, president of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, dedicated the “Whale Watch” station at SRU’s Leadership Reaction Course. Leadership Butler County raised $2,500 for the station.