Published: May 27, 2008 10:05 am      

Leadership Southern Indiana celebrates graduates, honors Eswine

Leadership Southern Indiana recently held its graduation ceremony for the 2008 class at The Grand in New Albany.

The graduates are: John Abbott, Monica Allison, Karen Basham, Bill Boso, Rich Boling, Kara Brown, Rhonda Burch, Carrie Burton, Roger Campbell, Richard Carter, Jay Conner, Melissa Cummings, Kevin Davis, Todd Frossard, Shelley Gast, Denise Gray Lackey, Susan Griffin, Melissa Harbeson, Kyle Hoehn, Tommy Hogan, Mary Beth Hughes, Terry Kehrer, Hal Kovert, Steve Kozarovich, Todd Logsdon, Pam Lumley, Luke McConnell, Ted Miller, Mark Porter, Tommy Randall, Eric Seto, Ramona Sharp, Jane Shine, Mary Denise Smith, Melissa Speck, Lisa Steele, Kirk Strack, Pam Thomas, and Liz Vissing.

“This class absolutely re-energized me with their enthusiasm to make a difference in our Southern Indiana community,” said Donna Riley, LSI’s executive director in a news release. “Throughout the class year, they have shown tremendous leadership attributes.”

The evening also acknowledged the graduation of the Young Leaders Today and Tomorrow students. They were Matthew Duncan — Providence High School, Hickory Ham — New Albany High School, Nick Hebert — Floyd Central High School, Krystina Jarboe — NAHS, Kameron Johnson — Providence, Alexis Lewis — Jeffersonville High School, Ashley Sizemore — NAHS, and Ryan Smith — Floyd Central.

The main goals of the youth program, which is a collaboration of LSI and Bridgepointe Services and Goodwill Industries Inc., are to develop leaders for the local community with the skills necessary to fulfill the role now and in the future, and also to develop youth with a sense of community in order to encourage them to stay in their community once they have completed their college education.

LSI’s George N. Lane Servant Leader award was given to Vern Eswine, president of The Marketing Company/MC Graphics. Many friends, along with Eswine’s wife, Donna, and daughter, Darian, joined in the celebration. Cindy Kanning, the 2004 recipient, presented the award and provided insight into Eswine’s contributions to the region.

“Vern is the epitome of trust, efficiency, creativity, sincerity, faithfulness, and caring,” Kanning said.

The celebration’s major underwriters were the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana — gold sponsor — and The Grand — silver sponsor.

Applications are now being taken for the Class of 2009, the 27th LSI class. For information or an application, call Riley at 812-246-6547 or stop by the LSI office at Ivy Tech, 8204 Ind. 311, Sellersburg.