The Fall 2026 Welcome Back Dinner was a great opportunity to reconnect with the other scholars in the junior class and meet more members of the senior class after everyone returned from their unique summer experiences. The junior scholar class has just completed the cross-sector internship experience in cities across the country, while seniors returned from experiences across the private and public sectors, including work in finance, consulting, and nonprofit organizations.
The evening began with a classic game of “Two Truths and a Lie,” which was a fun way to get to know some of the new faces at my table. I learned that Senior Scholar Charlie Cochran had the opportunity to experience a NASCAR race up close from the pit this summer in Charlotte. Hearing highlights from other tables also helped us learn more about our guests and partners in the program. One of the most memorable facts came from Luther Hodges Scholar partner David Kiel, who shared that his aunt survived the Titanic!
Beyond reconnecting, the evening also provided an exciting look at the future direction of the Luther Hodges Scholars program. We heard more about the program’s new strategic planning and the opportunities that are already beginning to emerge for scholars this semester thanks to the work of several advocates, including Dr. Allen and Scholar Representative Molly Malek. These plans include new research and mentorship opportunities with Kenan-Flagler professors, as well as opportunities to further expand experiential learning within the program.
Lindsay Horowitz, representing the Leadership Council team, also spoke about plans for the upcoming semester. It was especially encouraging to hear that building community will remain a priority in leadership council events to encourage scholars to continue learning from and supporting one another.
One of the experiences from the evening that stood out to me the most was a “Four Corners” activity. The activity brought scholars together based on shared experiences before reflecting on what we learned this summer and where we hope to grow in the future in small group pairs. When we were asked which competency we most wanted to develop over the next year, I joined several other scholars in the leadership corner. Our conversation focused on a challenge many of us will encounter as we enter future internships and full-time roles: how to build trust and credibility as leaders even when we may initially have limited responsibility within an organization. It was meaningful to hear other scholars thinking through the same question and to learn from the different perspectives around the group going into different non-profit and private sector roles.
The Welcome Back Dinner was a great way to begin the semester and a reminder of what makes the Luther Hodges Scholars community so valuable. As we move into another year of new experiences, challenges, and opportunities, I am excited to continue learning alongside the other scholars and strengthening the relationships that make this program such a meaningful community.
