Students in the region will now have a new opportunity to develop key leadership skills in the area of diversity, equity, inclusion, civic engagement and social justice at Emory & Henry College due to a generous gift of $50,000 from the Holston Foundation.
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Greg McMillan ’90, VP for Advancement, E&H; Rev. Sharon Bowers, Director of the Inclusion & Dialogue Center, E&H; Allison Mays ’95, Major Gifts Officer, E&H; College President John W. Wells; John Holloway, VP for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, E&H; E&H music major Emily Blevins ’23, Chilhowie, VA; LeRae Collins ’08, Director of Communications with the Holston Foundation; President of the Holston Foundation Paul Bowman; and Rev. Sharon Wiley Wright ’94, E&H Chaplain. Contributed photo
The new initiative named “Leadership Emory & Henry” invites senior high school students, current Emory & Henry students, and Emory & Henry faculty and staff/administration from historically underrepresented backgrounds, including first generation college students, to enhance their key leadership skills. The program will be offered by the President’s Office and Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
“We designed this new program to help motivate participants to develop and enhance quality leadership knowledge, skills, and ability while increasing awareness in diversity, equity and inclusion at school, work, home, play and in the community,” said Reverend Sharon Bowers, Director of the Inclusion & Dialog Center at Emory & Henry. “The integration of these skills are important for students to eventually take out into the workplace and the communities in which they will serve and grow.”
The $50,000 gift from the Holston Foundation was presented to Emory & Henry College leadership by Holston Foundation leaders President Paul Bowman and Director of Communications LeRae Collins, a 2008 graduate of Emory & Henry College, during a luncheon ceremony at the President’s home on February 1, 2022.
“The Holston Foundation desires to engage with the mission and vision of institutions such as Emory & Henry College,” said Bowman. “We wish to join with those that encourage individuals to live into their calling. This program is an exemplary example of our passion to equip and empower diverse leadership for tomorrow.”
The program will get underway this summer and be operational starting Fall 2022. Interested students, teachers and faculty can learn more by contacting [email protected] or by visiting www.ehc.edu/diversity-equity-.
