Tabor College Names Incoming Freshmen to Fellows Program

PLP Group Photo 2017HILLSBORO, Kan. – Tabor College’s Presidential Leadership Program has invited eight incoming freshmen to participate as Fellows when they arrive on campus in the fall.

The students are Olivia Brubacher, from Hesston, Kan.; Madison Gallagher, from Wichita, Kan.; Taytum Lankford, from Inman, Kan.; Allison Maxfield, from Hillsboro, Kan.; Katherine Reimer, from Wichita, Kan.; Kara Schotthauer, from Fairview, Okla.; Allison Topham, from Valley Center, Kan.; and Chole Willems, from Wichita, Kan.

The group was invited to the program following a selection weekend in February. Applicants to the program must submit a resume, write an essay and participate in in-person interviews, team-building exercises and other activities as part of the competition process.

“Each of these students showed us they had the leadership skills necessary to be part of the program,” Kelly Dugger, interim director of admissions, said. “Tabor and our PLP program will benefit from what this new class of Fellows offers.”

Students who are invited to participate in the selection process are highly involved in their schools and communities and have demonstrated leadership skills through their academic, work and volunteer activities. The goal of the PLP program is to create a cohort of leaders involved on campus while continuing their personal leadership development.

Faculty and staff at Tabor mentor the Fellows in small groups. Each group has students from a variety of backgrounds and a range of majors. Freshmen and upper classmen are placed together in groups for peer mentorship.

“This incoming class is one of the best I’ve seen come through the selection process,” said Erin Baraccio, director of the Fellow program. “We are excited to add them to our program and look forward to what they will add to our larger group.”

President Jules Glanzer sees the Presidential Leadership Program as a direct link to Tabor’s mission to prepare people for a life of learning, work and service for Christ and his kingdom.

“I am impressed with the quality of these young people,” Glanzer said. “They have a heart for service and so much to offer. That is exactly what we’re looking for when we interview candidates for the program.”

Not only does the program build leadership skills, but acceptance also comes with a large scholarship to support academic pursuits.

“Leadership is an important part of learning at Tabor,” Rusty Allen, vice president for enrollment and athletics, said. “We invest in our students academically and financially to encourage leadership throughout their time here and beyond.”