McConnell Center

This week in McConnell Center history, the Center looks back to the 2009 Retreat at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park. These photos capture another memory of retreats, allowing students from Kentucky to explore our beautiful commonwealth. 🪴

This week in McConnell Center history, we look back to the first full Retreat in 2002 at Kenlake State Resort Park. Each August, McConnell Scholars travel to a Kentucky state park to prepare for the year ahead, build community and explore a new corner of the Commonwealth. 🌱☀️

This week in McConnell Center history, we celebrate the U.S. Army War College Fellowship. In 2014, U.S. Army Col. Christopher Wynder became the first Army Fellow hosted by the McConnell Center. Since then, 14 Army leaders have spent a year on campus conducting research, attending UofL classes and connecting with students through a unique civilian-military collaboration.

Last week, we concluded our Young Leaders Academy (YLA), in which 22 students from across Kentucky came to the center for four days of programming revisiting the ideas of American Constitutionalism.

Throughout the week, students participated in seminar based discussions and lectures from McConnell Center fellows, attended a resume workshop, visited Louisville historical museums and heard from prominent Kentucky leaders.

Along the way, they strengthened their leadership and intellectual skills while building connections through downtime and excursions to Main Event and a screening of Young Washington.

Thank you to our speakers, staff, and counselors who helped make this year's YLA a success!

This week in McConnell Center history, the first Young Leaders Academy cohort arrived on campus in 2007. Since then, YLA has provided Kentucky high school students with a fully funded summer experience focused on civic education and leadership. Today, the tradition continues with current McConnell Scholars and faculty serving as counselors and mentors to the next generation of Kentucky leaders.📚💡

Discover the story behind one of America’s most iconic speeches! As part of our "America's Autobiography" series, Dr. Barbara Perry from the UVA Miller Center dives into the legacy and lasting impact of President John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation—tune in now on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform! https://youtu.be/_tsKNAA8ZTk?si=zdWEzFGPP0HtOM_Z

The McConnell Center is excited to announce a new opportunity for Kentucky high school students: the Civic Leadership Institute! In partnership with the WKU Center for Gifted Studies, this opportunity is for rising sophomores or rising juniors interested in leadership, law, government, history, economics, public policy, international relations, education, journalism, business, or public service.

The Civic Leadership Institute is a selective, yearlong experience for high school students who aspire to make a difference in their communities and beyond. Through immersive Saturday sessions and an exciting summer capstone experience, the Civic Leadership Institute is a premier leadership experience where students build lifelong friendships, develop a portfolio of meaningful work, and gain exposure to a wide variety of career pathways connected to the social sciences and public life. Apply by Friday, Aug. 28! MORE INFO: https://centers.louisville.edu/mcconnell-center/civic-education/kentucky-students/civic-leadership-institute

Next in our America's Autobiography series, Dr. Jonathan den Hartog offers an in-depth exploration of President Ronald Reagan's First Inaugural Address. Discover the historical context and enduring significance of Reagan’s words—now available to watch on YouTube or listen wherever you enjoy podcasts.

America's Autobiography: President Ronald Reagan's First Inaugural Address (1981) Literally speaking, nations don’t write their own autobiographies. ...