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Milliken/Wofford Summer Leadership Institute Makes Impact; Roger Milliken’s vision celebrated, realized

Submitted by: John Warner on Jun 22, 2011 at 7:34 am Tagged with: Leadership Source: Milliken

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2011 Richard Dillard
Director, Public Affairs
Richard.Dillard@milliken.com
864.503.2546

SPARTANBURG – Roger Milliken’s vision is being lived out through thirty-three leading high school rising seniors as they participate in the Milliken/Wofford Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) in Spartanburg, S.C., June 12-18. Fourteen years ago, he challenged Milliken leadership to develop an institute that would serve young students and teach them skills they would not receive in traditional educational settings. To honor Mr. Milliken, this year’s class is being dedicated to him. The students are from a three-state area and are getting an introduction to the dynamics of leadership and principles of team building. They will also get a strong dose of hands-on experience in community involvement and volunteerism – something Roger Milliken believed in strongly. Through the application of learned leadership skills, students are better prepared to make informed choices when selecting a college, and ultimately a career, and to give back to their community.

The Institute, held on the campus of Milliken & Company and Wofford College, exposes the students to a combination of corporate and academic experiences which should prove valuable to their future education and careers. Now its fourteenth year, the Institute is modeled after leadership training courses offered to Milliken associates. Over 550 students have now attended SLI and more than 50 have gone on to attend Wofford College.

Milliken and Wofford provide the students with leadership and team development skills that they would not normally receive through traditional classroom education. It provides them with insight into leadership careers in business at an early age, and in the process helps attract top students to both Wofford and Milliken. Activities included team building, problem solving, presentation skills, creativity, entrepreneurship, diversity appreciation, dining etiquette, and volunteerism.

On Wednesday, June 15, the students participated in a community service project and learned how leadership applies to this need in each of our communities. Milliken partnered with the United Way of the Piedmont to completely renovate the United Way Gifts-in-Kind-Center. Five projects were chosen from a list provided by the United Way ranging from construction and landscaping to designing and creating a brochure for marketing and publicity. The students also interviewed and shopped with representatives from local agencies that the Gifts-in-Kind Center serves. They sorted, stocked performed routine maintenance projects throughout the facility. This year, Milliken Corporate Human Resource associates also participated in the projects with the SLI students as part of Milliken’s community service.

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One key to the success of the week is the use of Wofford students as counselors to the high schoolers. The Wofford students establish a bond with the young people that would be very difficult for adults. Institute participants are housed in Wofford dormitories, and evenings include a continuation of project work as well as free time for relaxation and recreation.

On Friday, June 17th, the students will present their project results to leadership teams of Milliken and Wofford College. This will also allow them to put into practice the presentation skills they learned while attending the Summer Leadership Institute.

2011 Class Profile

• 33 total Students
• (3) States represented (SC, GA & NC)
• Several Class Presidents
• Student Body Presidents
• 100% are in top 10% of class