Commencement ceremonies for Pennsylvania's Rural-Urban Leadership (RULE) Program were held in State College on Dec. 10, 2021. The ceremonies were the culmination of a two-year, blended curriculum of in-person, hybrid, and webinar programs.
Among the honorees was Stephanie Shirk, a client relations manager with Penn State Extension and co-owner of Silver Valley Farm in East Earl. Shirk received a certificate signed by Gov. Tom Wolf, Penn State dean of agricultural science Rick Roush, and Extension director Brent Hales. The certificates were presented by Jim Ladlee, assistant director of programs for the Energy, Business, & Community Vitality Unit of Penn State Extension.
The keynote speaker was Rick Vilello, deputy secretary for community affairs and development with the Department of Community & Economic Development. During his presentation on the topic "Building Blocks," Vilello placed individual blocks on every chair at the ceremony. He used an analogy of building blocks to encourage guests to connect to others and build bridges, not walls, to bring about effective change.
Shirk is one of 30 Pennsylvania residents to complete the two-year RULE Program. Through a series of in-person study institutes - 38 webinars as well as hybrid study institutes - RULE scholars had an inaugural experience of learning models during their two-year leadership challenge immersion. Their curriculum explored the topics "Critical Thinking, Conflict, Communication, and Group Process"; "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion"; "National and Global Leadership"; and "Agriculture, Sustainability, Public Speaking, and Community Development." RULE promotes engagement in public issues, networking, strategic design, lasting relationships, and civic engagement.
RULE is currently recruiting for its 19th class, which will launch later this year. For more information, contact Tara Homan at tls32@psu.edu or visit http://www.rule.psu.edu.
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