This year’s ISLE or Intensified Summer Learning Experience brings 125 doctoral students to campus. The event, begun on Friday, June 23, will last nine days, allowing opportunity for students to participate in daily classes and in recreational activities in the evenings.

The event began with orientation at 1:00 on Friday, June 23. Drs. Ruth Cox, George Kersey, Gary Streit, and Jon Burch are teaching Leadership courses for the event. Dr. Kersey is assisted by Corporate Consultant Judy King. Drs. Ed Anthony, Mindy Burch, & Robbie Melton are teaching technology courses. Classes meet from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. with breaks built-in.

“It is a busy week, full of lots of learning and other types of activities,” said Ester Swink, an organizer of the event. “It is going well and everyone seems to be enjoying being together.” 

Outside of the classroom events include a barbeque rib dinner, a Sunday morning worship service led by Dr. Henry Spaulding, a memorial service for former student Jimmy Williams, a reunion of all graduates of the Ed.D. program, and a field trip to downtown Nashville.

Cohort 6 will have completed all course requirements at the close of this ISLE session after three summers of ISLE and the fulfillment of the three levels of courses in leadership and organizational behavior and in technology. The cohort 6 group of 24 students completed their dissertation symposium presentations Monday, June 26 and will graduate on Saturday, July 1 at a service at 10:30 A.M.

“The graduating cohort is exuberant that they have successfully presented at the dissertation symposium,” said Swink.

Doctoral students stay on campus during the event. ISLE participants will return to campus August 19 to conclude the summer leadership course.