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News Release

Last modified: Thursday, April 25, 2013

Leadership Bloomington-Monroe County celebrates Class of 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2013

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Leadership Bloomington-Monroe County, a program in partnership between Indiana University Bloomington Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, celebrated its newest graduates on Wednesday, April 24, at the Indiana Memorial Union Federal Room.

LBMC is a seven-month program designed to develop leadership skills and promote community involvement through experiential learning. Participants attend sessions focusing on specific aspects of community leadership, taught by experts from Indiana University and the greater community. In addition, each participant works with a small group of classmates to complete a project that addresses a specific community need.

This year's graduates led five community projects during the 2012-13 academic year. Projects include a comprehensive mapping system of Monroe County trails called TrekMonroe; a marketing plan for the City of Bloomington's Volunteer Network's Give4Good, resulting in a new version of the Community Wish List connecting nonprofits with resources; an outdoor recreation festival called Open Streets; a strategic plan for Middle Way House; and STEM-ulate Bloomington, a speakers' bureau resource to promote science, technology, engineering and math to girls.

The Class of 2013 graduates include: Sami Alzakri; Jason Behling, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane; Teal Betz, Visit Bloomington; Jennifer Borland, Rockman et. al.; Jacquelyn Carnes, Mary Kay; Allison Chopra, Urban Fitness Studio; Nathan Delong, Community Kitchen of Monroe County; Kate DeWeese, Bunger and Robertson; Josh Dodds, IU Health Bloomington; Samantha Ezzo; Shannon Freeman-Correll, St. Charles Borromeo Church and School; Kelsie Holt, Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce; Joi Kamper; Bertie Lehman; Shaylan Owen, the Herald-Times; Amanda Roach, IU Health Bloomington; Shine Rominger, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane; Mindy Sanders, IU Credit Union; Matthew Schulz, Monroe County government; Doug Ummel, Hurlow Wealth Management; April Wason, Bloomington Monroe County Convention Center; and Wylene Watts, IU Health Bloomington.

"Each participant brought their own strengths to the program, and together they addressed community needs with innovative and thoughtful planning. The Class of 2013 represents diverse backgrounds yet a unified desire to make Bloomington and Monroe County a better place," LBMC director Kyla Cox said. "I am honored to call them Leadership Bloomington-Monroe County graduates."

The next LBMC class will begin Oct. 18 with an orientation and alumni reception. For more information about the application process, email Cox at knblanke@indiana.edu, call 855-1182 or visit lbmc.indiana.edu.

The Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at Indiana University Bloomington supports a broad range of activities that promote innovation and enrichment in the curriculum and leads campus-wide programs and initiatives in support of outstanding academic experiences.

The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit membership organization serving as our community's leading advocate for business. It offers unique leadership opportunities, meaningful volunteer activities and exclusive business-building programs focused on critical economic, civic and social priorities.

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