High School Students to Attend Leadership Camp at Baylor
by Alan Hunt
Outstanding high school students from all over Central Texas will attend the annual Leadership in Free Enterprise (LIFE) Institute held at Baylor University June 2-5. The program is a joint venture of the Rotary Clubs of Central Texas and the Center for Private Enterprise at Baylor's Hankamer School of Business.
More than 50 students, who are nominated for the LIFE conference by high school counselors and administrators, receive leadership development training and participate in seminars that provide a deeper appreciation of America's private enterprise system and market economy. The program has been awarded Rotary International's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Citation.
In addition to classroom instruction, the students receive hands-on involvement in free enterprise by visiting area businesses which are headed by Rotarians. These field trips allow the students to discover how business actually works and give them an opportunity to relate to those who are managing the enterprises. The students attend sessions on international issues and multicultural awareness, and participate in discussions about goal setting and planning, and successful leadership styles. The four-day program also includes talks by visiting speakers, films, educational simulations and recreational activities.
The LIFE program began in the summer of 1978 when 15 outstanding high school students from the Waco Public Schools spent four days on the Baylor campus learning more about the American economic system and visiting area business leaders. Today, the program attracts students from 30 schools sponsored by 19 Rotary clubs throughout Central Texas.
Baylor economics professor Dr. James W. Henderson says the purpose of the LIFE program has not changed. "Its objective is to expand the economic literacy of student leaders by demonstrating how the American economy works and benefits them."
For more information about the leadership institute call Susan Armstrong, program coordinator, at 755-2263.