Salem College’s annual Pat Rather Leadership Retreat was held on Friday, August 15, 2014. Pairing alumnae board members with current college students, the retreat is an opportunity to learn about leadership through mentoring sessions, key speakers, and teambuilding activities, while coming together in fellowship around a mutual love of Salem. Hosted in the new Salem College Student center, the retreat is a culminating event for a select group of students who serve in student government or on leadership councils.

“One of the beauties of Salem is her unwavering ability to call forth leaders and shape them, build them, and strengthen them,” said 2012 graduate Desiree Knight during the retreat luncheon, adding “leadership happens at Salem College, as we are pushed to excel in the classroom, pushed to lead in our community, and pushed to champion ourselves and accomplish what we know we are capable of.” 

Salem Academy and College President Dr. Lorraine Sterritt reminded retreat attendees that leadership comes in many forms, “from the smallest initiative taken to reach out to a stranger with a kind word, to the highest levels of scholarship and government.” Her parting words offered a challenge to all to be a better leader every day: “Find an individual or a group who would benefit from your conversation, your advice, your wisdom, or simply your kindness.”

The retreat is named for Pat Greene Rather, Salem College class of 1957. Her husband, Dan Rather, established the Pat Greene Rather Fund in her honor – to promote leadership growth among students at Salem. Before her death in 1992, she served Salem in a variety of ways; including three terms with the Board of Trustees, as President of the Alumnae Association from 1971-1973, Past President of the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter, and as a leader in the renovation of Salem’s Rondthaler-Gramley House kitchen in honor of Doris McMillan Eller, class of 1954.

Published on August 29, 2014