Exploring England, Finding Yourself
Every other year, our Leadership and Character Scholars spend a week in London and Oxford to explore leadership, culture, and character in a global context. Last month’s trip, supported by the Jenkins Charitable Foundation, opened with a walking and bus tour of post-colonial London led by Dr. Daniel Luther and Dr. Shantanu Singh. Instead of just focusing on the city’s most famous landmarks, the tour challenged students to think about what ethical leadership looks like in a world shaped by history and power.
As students passed by landmarks such as Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, they reflected on the history of the statues around Parliament Square including Millicent Fawcett, Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela. “I loved seeing the students encounter the story of these incredible exemplars of virtues like justice, hope, and compassion,” said Ann Phelps, Director of Programming. “They led with these virtues to reshape the global stage in the very place where a system of domination and power started.”
The tour allowed students to explore the ways that leadership can come from unexpected places to make a significant difference in the world. “I just thought those were really good examples of being consistent with your core beliefs, no matter what situation you find yourself in,” said Leadership and Character Scholar Zinn Amos (‘27). “Things are going to change, your positions are going to evolve, but at the most fundamental level, your core beliefs have to remain unchanged and you have to live by them.”
In addition to the tour, the students visited several other landmarks in London, including Borough Market, Worrell House, and Westminster Abbey, where they enjoyed a private tour and discussion with leaders of the Westminster Abbey Institute. Students participated in workshops on the ethics of AI with Wake Forest alumna Morgan Briggs (’19), and on leadership and jazz with musician Pete Churchill. After enjoying a Shakespeare play in The Globe, they spent the remainder of the week in Oxford, where they toured the University and discussed non-traditional leadership with students and leaders at Rhodes House. Students also participated in a workshop on acting and leadership with Wake Forest alumna Melissa Jones Briggs (’04), heard lectures on the ethics of altruism, and enjoyed group discussions about what this experience can mean for their own character formation and leadership development. “I think this was by far the most impactful experience that I’ve had as a part of Leadership and Character,” Amos said. “I was really grateful for this trip.”