The Eagle Program

Because of Eagle's goal-setting and monitoring activities, I learned the art of self-examination and evaluations and was able to use these skills to challenge myself. Because of their commitment to mentorship, I knew that I have a whole team behind me whose resources and experiences I was encouraged to call on to help me achieve the goals I'd set for myself. It also meant that I was accountalble, not just to a hand that made a donation, but to a family that had made an investment through me to our community's future.

Eagle scholars are require to achieve a rigorous list of goals and requirements each year in order to remain in the Eagle program. The goal-setting begins in August of freshman year and concludes in May of senior year. Failure to achieve a requirement may lead to probation and/or eventual expulsion from the program. Below are some of the requirements expected of each Eagle Student:

• Student Goals - Annually Eagle scholars compile a list of concrete and definable goals that they intend to accomplish by the end of the school year. The personal goals relate to how they intend to stretch themselves in their own personal lives. Academic goals are what they will accomplish in their major (secure an internship, start a study group, create a research opportunity, volunteer at a hospital). Students are held accountable to the accomplishment of these goals. The challenges will be to set these goals higher each year
• Monthly Letters - Each student is expected to submit a monthly progress report which allows the Eagle Board to evaluate how that student is progressing with his or her requirements. These requirements include academic achievement, monthly mentor correspondence, involvement and leadership in community and college activities and completion of student goals.
• Mentor Program - Because our scholars have so much to contribute, we pair each student with an upperclassmen either living on the same campus or having the same major. The role of the mentor is to offer not only academic support and guidance but also friendly and encouraging advice about the pit falls to avoid and career path suggestions. All students in the mentor program are required to touch base on a monthly basis.
• Leadership - Students are required to get involved in campus organizations (Student Council, Business or Premed club, Debate team, etc) with the goal of running that organization by senior year. Freshmen are encouraged to explore many organizations from the start so by the end of their first year they have chosen what the organizations that mean most to them. Sophomores are required to step up their involvement and hold a leadership position by the end of their second year. Juniors are already leaders and their goal is to be elected President/Captain by the end of their third year. Seniors run the organizations and finish their college experience knowing not only what "success" feels like but also they then take that enthusiasm and momentum into the "real world"!
• Volunteering - At the heart of The Eagle Foundation is belief that each of us has the responsibility to "give back" and to "make the world a better place". All Eagle scholars are required to volunteer at least one hour per week throughout their four-year college career. Many students seek volunteer opportunities in their chosen field - working at a hospital or with an EMT unit, working for a law or accounting firm, joining a political campaign, etc.

From Eagle I learned important lessons on leadership and giving back. Now in my career as a business professional and in my daily life, I continue to feel Eagle's influence on me. In the spirit of Eagle, I aspire to be a leader and a generous giver to the community.