$50,000 Gift Supports Student Leadership Development
A group of 54 Delaware Valley University students had the opportunity to participate in a leadership development program over winter break. LeaderShape and DelVal partnered to host a session of the Institute from Jan. 15 through Jan. 20 in Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania.
LeaderShape Institute is recognized nationally as one of the premier leadership development programs for college students. The University received a $50,000 gift from William and Laurie Schutt that made it possible for the students to participate in the program.
“Thanks to the generosity of the Schutts Delaware Valley University students have the tremendous opportunity to participate in LeaderShape,” said Dr. April Vari, DelVal vice president for student affairs. “We are extremely grateful for this gift, which will give our students skills they can take with them for the rest of their lives.”
LeaderShape partners with institutions and organizations large and small, across the United States and throughout the world in order to create a just, caring, and thriving world where everyone leads with integrity and a healthy disregard for the impossible. Students create their personal visions based on their values and “explore not only what they want to do, but who they want to be.” The immersive program is designed to help participants positively impact the communities and organizations they will go on to lead and serve in the future.
Through LeaderShape DelVal students meet new people and forge new friendships; learn about themselves, other people, and leadership; evaluate their personal strengths and areas for development; create a personal plan of action for a cause they care about; and become part of a national network of more than 30,000 LeaderShape alumni.
“LeaderShape was a very valuable learning experience,” said Nicholas Gaetano ’20, a DelVal biology major. “I learned things about myself that I never knew I was capable of.”
The Schutts believe LeaderShape Institute will have a positive impact on both the students and the University.
“We are pleased that Delaware Valley University is able to offer this important program to its students,” said William R. Schutt. “Our hope is that not only will the LeaderShape program develop leadership skills for the current students of DelVal, but that it will be helpful in attracting new students to this treasure of an institution in Doylestown. We think it can be a game-changing experience for both students and the University.”
For more information, please visit leadershape.org/Institute.
Donate to Support LeaderShape:
To support future LeaderShape experiences for DelVal students, please visit delval.edu/giving and note “LeaderShape” in the other box and/or comments field or mail a check payable to Delaware Valley University and with “LeaderShape” noted in the memo. Checks should be mailed to Development and Alumni Affairs, Delaware Valley University, 700 East Butler Avenue, Doylestown, PA 18901.