George Washington’s Mount Vernon Selects Baylor Student for Prestigious Leadership Program

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Media contact: Terry Goodrich, (254) 710-3321
WACO, Texas (May 4, 2016) – Janessa Blythe, a sophomore University Scholar at Baylor University, was recently selected to join the class of 2016 Mount Vernon Leadership Fellows, a five-week-long summer leadership program that welcomes a select group of rising college juniors who desire to learn from George Washington’s leadership lessons and make a difference in the world.
Blythe’s University Scholars concentrations include great texts, political science and classics. She is a community leader in South Russell Residence Hall, a member of the undergraduate mock trial team and is involved with Baylor Civitas.
“I wanted to participate in the Mount Vernon Leadership Fellows program because it provides students with an opportunity to take action concerning something they are passionate about while teaching leadership inspired by both George Washington and modern leaders,” Blythe said. “When I realized that I would be able to work on a cause of my choice through the program, I became very interested in being a part of it.”
Blythe, along with 15 other students from diverse academic disciplines, will engage in dynamic leadership education and interact with nationally recognized corporate, government and military leaders in the nation’s capital. This year’s fellows beat out more than 200 applicants from 40 states and the District of Columbia.
“This program is designed for college students who are leaders and influencers on their campuses,” said Curt Viebranz, Mount Vernon president. “They will take their experience at Mount Vernon back to their universities and put it into practice when they enter the working world.”
While residing at Mount Vernon and in Washington, D.C., students will take part in behind-the-scenes tours and cultural opportunities that surpass the average D.C. summer program or internship. The daily academic curriculum will focus on Washington’s character, inspirational leadership, vision and masterly execution, all essential to Washington’s success as a statesman, entrepreneur and military leader.
The small cohort, through organized programs, will discover how to impact the world through self-reflection, experiential activities and a community service-focused capstone project. Blythe’s capstone will focus on child literacy.
“I am honored to have been selected as a Mount Vernon Leadership Fellow,” Blythe said. “This opportunity will facilitate my own growth as I work to create change for children who currently lack access to books.”
by Bethany Harper, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
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Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.