<< Back 6/19/02 Leadership Jackson graduates honored SMN Graduates of Leadership Jackson, a community development program hosted by Western Carolina University, gathered on June 6 for a ceremony that concluded eight months of training and community service work. Cecil Groves, president of Southwestern Community College, and Oak Winters, dean of Western Carolina University’s Division of Continuing Education and Summer School, presented certificates. “I encourage each of you to get involved in some kind of organization that seeks to do public good. The purpose of Leadership Jackson is to cultivate leadership,” said Winters. After thanking WCU for its role in administering the program, Groves added “Now is the time for citizen engagement. When I was appointed by the governor to the Rural Planning Task Force, we looked at what was needed in rural North Carolina. One thing stood out — the need for leadership. You represent that pool of leaders in the area. It is important that you stay here and become involved in your community.” Leadership Jackson is a leadership development program designed to inform, train and motivate citizens who are interested in contributing to the future of Jackson County. History of the county, state and local government, education, economic development, health and human services, non-profits, and natural resources were some of the topics addressed by more than 35 speakers who met with the group this year. In addition to attending the opening retreat and seven half-day sessions, participants completed a community service project on Jackson County’s Greenway Project, which included constructing a walkway between the Tuckaseigee River Launch Park area under the U.S. 441 bridge, and the Dillsboro Town Park. Leadership Jackson was designed and implemented by Leadership Jackson alumni and several key sponsors, including WCU’s Local Government Training Program, Southwestern Community College and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. Program co-sponsors include the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce, the Jackson County Family Resource Center, Moonshadow Learning Services Inc. of Whittier, Patrick and Jeanne McGuire, Westcare Health System, the High Hampton Inn and Country Club, and the Nantahala Outdoor Center. The 2002 class of Leadership Jackson includes Roseanna Belt, director of WCU’s Cherokee Center; Bob Carpenter, owner of Carpenter Insurance and Financial Services; Melissa Dodgins, registrar of SCC; Gwen Edwards, certified public accountant with Crisp, Hughes and Evans; Andree Faulk, owner and innkeeper of the Applegate Inn Bed & Breakfast in Dillsboro; Leroy Jackson, retired from the North Carolina Department of Social Services; Debra M. Klavohn, dean of health sciences at SCC; Melody Lawrence, director of financial aid at SCC; Bill Lee, recruitment and retention specialist for basic skills at SCC; Patti Long, director of Collegiate Connections at SCC; Melissa Medlin, records coordinator for Continuing Education at SCC; Sheila Price, chief nurse executive for Westcare Health System; Vicki Sawyer, president of Mountain Party Tents and Events in Glenville; Joni Thornburg, marketing specialist in WCU Continuing Education; Linda Venturo, instructional technology consultant in WCU Continuing Education; and Phil Yurecka, director of Development for Mountain Youth Resources.