Center for Leadership Studies receives $15,000 grant

Huntington, Ind.-The Huntington University Foundation has received a $15,000 grant from the Wells County Foundation to fund start-up costs for the proposed Center for Leadership Studies.

"The Center for Leadership Studies was initiated by the Huntington University Foundation board of directors in response to the common issue revolving around the lack of training and the perceived leadership crisis looming for the next generation in our communities, businesses and churches," said Travis Holdman, president of the Huntington University Foundation's board of directors.

The Center for Leadership Studies will develop and produce curriculum for leadership development. The curriculum will have two separate orientations: faith-based and values-based.

The center will maintain a list of approved trainers of the leadership curriculum. To receive approval, the trainers will need to complete the initial train-the-trainer sessions led by the author of the curriculum. The curriculum is being developed by Dr. Tim Elmore of Growing Leaders, Inc., based in Duluth, Ga.

There will be, at least semi-annually, a leadership event within the region sponsored by the center. One event will be faith-based and one event values-based.

In addition, a leadership resource library will be established and housed at Huntington University and other collaborative colleges and universities. The library will consist of leadership books, essays, periodicals and multi-media materials.

The grant from the Wells County Foundation will come from the Elizabeth Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund.

"It is especially rewarding to make this grant from this fund, as Elizabeth's sister, Edwina Patton, was a professor at Huntington College from 1962 to 1978," said Tammy Slater, chief executive officer of the Wells County Foundation. "We are confident that this grant award will give unique tribute to the memories of both Elizabeth and Edwina."

Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S.News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).