Scott Anderson Leadership Forum to take place at St. Scholastica

The College is pleased to welcome 120 students for the annual Scott Anderson Leadership Forum (SALF), which will take place June 10-14. Celebrating the legacy of Scott Anderson, a cherished Duluth local, the forum provides unparalleled leadership training rooted in fundamental values to students from 14 Minnesota high schools. This is the seventh consecutive year the College will host the forum.

Scott Anderson, an esteemed alumnus of Duluth East High School and Stanford University, led a life marked by remarkable achievements as a fighter pilot, renowned canoe explorer, celebrated author, musician and devoted family man. His untimely passing during a test flight of the Cirrus SR20 in 1999 led to the inception of The Scott D. Anderson Leadership Foundation (SALF).

“Paul and Carol Anderson’s son, Scott Anderson, was an important part of our community,” shared Bill Zwak, director of SALF, in a Fox21 Online article. “And when he perished in that test pilot crash, they decided they wanted to have some sort of leadership legacy.” With support from the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, SALF embarked on a mission to encourage students to uncover their innate leadership potential. Eligibility for the program requires nominations from students’ school faculty or counselors.

Engaging and educative experiences

Throughout the forum, participants will engage in various activities, including service projects, team-building exercises and thought-provoking discussions centered around leadership. Shawn Olesewski, the College’s outdoor pursuit coordinator, partners with the forum’s organizers to ensure a week filled with engaging and educative experiences. “Choosing to join SALF signifies a student’s willingness to venture beyond their comfort zone during their summer break to refine their leadership skills,” Olesewski noted. “The forum’s achievements resonate deeply with St. Scholastica’s commitment to cultivating individuals ready to make a significant difference in the world. It didn’t take long after the forum’s debut at the College for the SALF team to consider this venue their perfect venue.”

Details for the 2024 event are available online. Members of the media are invited to attend; interviews can be coordinated on-site.