Oelschlager Summer Leadership Institute Held at The University of Akron

Akron, Ohio, June 11, 2002 Forty-eight Ohio and Pennsylvania high school students will explore the dynamics of leadership at the second annual Oelschlager Summer Leadership Institute (OSLI) at The University of Akron.

Twenty-four high school juniors will attend this challenging, fun, two-week residential institute on the Akron campus from June 16 to 28. A group of 24 high school seniors will participate in a second institute from July 14 to 26.

In addition to attending the institute at no cost, junior participants will receive an Oelschlager Silver Acorn Leadership Award of $600 and seniors will receive a Golden Acorn Leadership Award of $750.

The Oelschlager Summer Leadership Institute is a component of the $10 million Oelschlager Leadership Awards endowment to the University established in 2000 by Jim and Vanita Oelschlager. The institute is designed to provide students with the unique opportunity to spend time on a university campus to better understand its environment, benefits and resources. Students were nominated by their high school guidance counselors. The institute staff then selected nominees demonstrating a strong potential for leadership and service.

According to Ron McDonald, UA assistant dean of student affairs and director of the Oelschlager Summer Leadership Institute, written evaluations from last year's OSLI students reflect that the program is well targeted.

"A high percentage of our participants indicated a better understanding of university resources and opportunities and were more highly motivated to pursue higher education," McDonald says. "One high school guidance counselor wrote that her school's participant feels the experience not only helped her throughout her senior year, but was a life-changing experience that will propel her through college and beyond.'" That student recently was selected as an Oelschlager college scholarship recipient.

OSLI activities allow students to assess and improve their academic skills and to further explore the dynamics of leadership. This year's program includes a one-day leadership training workshop at Camp Y-Noah, service projects with Habitat for Humanity and Access, a Blue and Gold Scavenger Hunt designed to introduce students to campus resources, interaction with University Speech and Debate team members and a "Subarctic Survival" challenge.

Students also will have the opportunity to tour Oak Associates ltd., and meet their benefactors, Jim and Vanita Oelschlager.

Oelschlager Summer Leadership Institutes are designed by the Office of Student Development at The University of Akron. Program participants who remain in good standing are eligible to apply for college Oelschlager Leadership Awards.

HIGH SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE 2002 OELSCHLAGER SUMMER LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Archbishop Hoban one student in June session, one student in July session
Barberton one student in June session
Bedford two students in June session, one student in July session
Berea two students in July session
Brush one student in July session
Central-Hower two students in June session, one student in July session
Copley one student in June session
Field one student in June session
Garfield (Akron) one student in July session
Glenville (Cleveland) two students in June session, one student in July session
Green one student in June session
Hoover two students in June session, two students in July session
Hudson two students in July session
John Marshall one student in July session
Kenmore one student in July session
Lakewood one student in June session
Ligonier Valley, Pa. one student in June session, two students in July session
Marlington (Alliance) one student in July session
Mogadore one student in June session
Northwest (Canal Fulton) two students in June session, one student in July session
Norton two students in June session, two students in July session
Perry one student in June session
Ravenna one student in July session
Rootstown one student in June session
South (Cleveland) one student in July session
St. Edward one student in June session
St. Vincent-St. Mary one student in June session
Walsh Jesuit one student in July session
Waterloo one student in June session