First Jordan Scholars Program a Success!

The first session of the 2015-2016 James Jordan Scholars Leadership Institute was held Wednesday, August 26 at West Des Moines City Hall.

From l to r:
Jordan Jenkins, Linda Melara, John Liepa, Noah Phillips, Haley Ness, Colton Zimmerman, Ryan Hummel, Rachel Greene, Cheyann Neades, Abigail Dowd, Calla Lloyd, Vivian Broderick, Nick Toulouse, Libbie Skeffington, Elliot Anderson, Cesar Marfal, Allison Tow,Lal Zual, Rob Barron

Presented by the West Des Moines Historical Society, this ten month program brings together 17 high school juniors and seniors from area schools, including East, Roosevelt, North, Lincoln, Johnston, Hoover, Dowling, Walnut Creek, WDM Valley and Johnston. The Scholars, chosen by teachers and staff, will participate in interactive meetings with community leaders in business, government, agriculture, insurance, education, transportation and social justice, all areas in which James C. Jordan, an extraordinary leader and 19th Century visionary and abolitionist, excelled.

At the first session, John Liepa, Instructor of Iowa History at DMACC (ret) walked students though Central Iowa’s history from 1840-1880. Rob Barron, Political Director for Next Gen Climate, spoke on the qualities of leadership and community service.

The James Jordan Scholars Leadership Institute is sponsored by the City of West Des Moines, West Bank, Kemin Industries, Polk County and Patricia & Ed Berkley.