Leadership class has collective vision

Published: September 16, 2009

COLUMBIA – From lawyers and administrators to educators and retailers, the latest class of Leadership South Carolina gathered for the first time Sept. 9 with a shared vision.

Individually and collectively, the Class of 2010 will use the leadership program to better themselves and those around them.

The program, which is supported by Clemson University’s Institute for Economic and Community Development at the Sandhill Research and Education Center, was established in 1979 to provide gifted and highly motivated South Carolinians an opportunity to advance their leadership skills while broadening their understanding of issues facing the state.

Each year, individuals are selected for the nine-month program through a competitive process. Selection is based on an applicant’s demonstrated abilities as a leader and on their past records of service in a leadership capacity.

The 46-member Class of 2010 comes from the public and private sectors and nonprofits across the state. They include a Wal-Mart manager from Central, a YMCA executive from Greenville, a chamber of commerce executive from Beaufort and a deputy administrator from Dorchester County.

Class member Bryan Coburn, a teacher at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill and South Carolina Teacher of the Year, said he sees the program as an opportunity to connect and work together with people from across the state.

“We in education are producing citizens for our state and our workforce,” Coburn said. “If we can become better educators, we can produce better citizens.”

The program incorporates statewide experts in a variety of fields to explore quality of life, economic development, education and social issues. The class will meet business executives, community and government leaders and others who will encourage them to pursue positive change in South Carolina.

Leadership South Carolina executive director Helen Munnerlyn said the class represents the state’s diversity in terms of employment, demographics and business sectors. The program looks for emerging leaders to educate and train for leadership in the state, she said.

“We look for people who want to better the state so we can improve South Carolina,” Munnerlyn said.

The class will graduate in April.

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