Capstone Leadership Academy Will Bring Talented High School Students to UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A select group of high school sophomores invited from across the state will be attending the fifth annual Capstone Leadership Academy at The University of Alabama on March 8-9.

The group of more than 100 students will be addressed by guest speakers and participate in discussions that focus on the academy’s theme of values, vision and voice.

Ashley Getwan, who led the UA Greek Relief effort following Tuscaloosa’s devastating April 2011 tornado, will talk about the students’ leadership efforts following the storm in her keynote address at the kickoff dinner on Thursday, March 8, at 6:30 p.m. in Smith Hall.

Speakers on Friday, March 9, in the Ferguson Center Ballroom include Lew Burdette, president of The King’s Home, at 8:45 a.m., Dr. Lowell Davis, UA assistant dean of students at 10:15 a.m., and Anne Walker Irwin, UA student leader and University Steward, at 1 p.m.

The students are first nominated by administrators from each participating high school in the fall. The nominees were asked to submit a resume, transcript and an essay for evaluation by the Capstone Council, who then selected the student attendees.

Capstone Council is a volunteer organization that consists of former campus leaders from the 1970s. Former Capstone Men and Women, SGA officers, the Office of the President and the Honors College host the event, begun under the leadership of the late Jean O’Connor-Snyder, sponsor of Capstone Men and Women throughout the 1970s.

The council will award the Jean O’Connor Snyder Scholarship to an attending student.

The following students were invited to participate in this year’s Leadership Academy:

Name                                              High School                                             Home County