The Rogers State University President’s Leadership Class jump started their academic year with a trip to Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas, to study President John F. Kennedy.
The class participated in an examination of the leadership of America’s 35th president during a three-day trip to Texas.
Serving as hosts for the trip were Dr. Carolyn Taylor, coordinator of the leadership program, Sen. Stratton Taylor, Dr. Jim Ford, director of the university’s Honors Program, Dr. Laura Gray, RSU English professor, and RSU President Dr. Larry Rice. Stephany Foutch, RSU alumni director, also accompanied students on the trip.
“We want students to learn about leadership by studying the career of one of our great political leaders,” said Dr. Taylor, who also serves as a political science professor at RSU.
The President’s Leadership Class (PLC) is a four-year scholarship program designed to develop leadership skills and enhance the academic experience for participants. PLC members coordinate community service projects, spearhead various campus initiatives, attend alumni and other university events and participate in recruitment events at area high schools. They must live on campus and maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
The group rode the Amtrak Heartland Flyer to Ft. Worth after taking a bus to Oklahoma City. For many students it was their first experience on rail transit.
“Taking the train was one of the best parts of the trip – it was a great way to travel,” said PLC student Charlotte Robinson, a native of Morris, Okla.
Once in the Lone Star State students took line dancing lessons at Billy Bob’s Texas restaurant and toured the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Students learned about corporate citizenship and community participation from XTO Energy executives, Taylor said. XTO, one of the nation’s largest independent oil and gas producers, made significant contributions in recent years to revitalizing Fort Worth’s downtown.
In preparation for the trip, students read John A. Barnes book “John F. Kennedy on Leadership: The Lessons and Legacy of a President.”
Students toured the Kennedy assassination site and visited the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas.
In addition the group visited the Kimbell Art Museum and the Dallas Museum of Art during the trip.
RSU freshman Amy Paschal, a native of Tulsa, said that in addition to learning about President Kennedy and seeing the best of what Fort Worth and Dallas had to offer, she enjoyed the chance to get to know other PLC members.
“Not only was it an educational trip, but it was a great bonding experience,” Paschal said.
RSU President’s Leadership Class members include the following students:
- Megan Adams of Gray, Penn.
- Casey Allison of Wagoner
- Brandice Bartholomew of Nowata
- Bree Bedsworth of Skiatook
- Paula Blalock of Pryor
- David Brixey of Chandler
- Steven Brueckner of Colcord
- Brandi Burk of Oilton
- Cassandra Clay of Owasso
- Joshua Dexter of Inola
- Cameron Dicken of Nowata
- Riley Frost of Wagoner
- Ashley Garhart of Owasso
- Michelle Ghazal of Tulsa
- Keeley Gibson of Delaware
- Nicholas Green of Collinsville
- Laura Greenlee of Midwest City
- Matthew Gregston of Talala
- Richard Hart of Claremore
- Griffin Kane of Tulsa
- Cheyanne Keith of Oologah
- Jared Lyon of Owasso
- Adam McCreary of Talala
- Chad McMains of Oologah
- Jessica McQueen of Sapulpa
- Desiree Mitchell of Elk City
- Joshua Mulanax of Claremore
- Amy Paschal of Tulsa
- Denver Poteet of Tahlequah
- Aeriole Radcliff of Nowata
- Bryan “Austin” Riggs of Claremore
- Charlotte Robinson of Morris
- Kelsey Romig of Oklahoma City
- Jessica Sanderson of Bartlesville
- Alex Sarntee of Claremore
- Garrett Schilling of Broken Arrow
- Holly Shafer of Tulsa
- Christian Storey of Cheyenne
- Justin Tascier of Prague
- Valorie Vernon of Okmulgee
- Jason Wayne of Wann
- Charity Weigant of Bristow
- Jessica Windschitl of Collinsville
- Kaleb Woolever of Wann
- Krystina Wyatt of Nowata