Photo Credit: Ben Smith, Centre College Bonner Scholar, Class of 2025
Approximately 100 Bonner Scholars and Leaders gathered in Black Mountain, North Carolina at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly from Oct 27-29 for an inspiring and engaging three days. The 2023 Bonner Congress theme was Making Mountains Move, a metaphorical concept that encapsulated the essence of overcoming challenges, the natural mountainous environment of the host site, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Just as moving a mountain is a seemingly impossible task, this theme encouraged participants to explore innovative strategies, determination, and collaboration to surmount obstacles, achieve ambitious goals, and effect positive change.
The conference opened Friday evening with a session that focused on approaches to social change and featured two speakers, President Tony Floyd of Mars Hill University and student keynote, Kelton Bloxham, Senior Bonner Scholar and SGA President at Maryville College. Emceed by Liz Brandt, Director of Community Engagement at the Bonner Foundation, and two Bonner Congress Student Planning Committee members, Andy Huerta, Bonner Leader at Rider University and Lauren Sermersheim, Bonner Scholar at Mars Hill University, participants walked away with deepened collaboration and connections among the Bonner Network and an understanding of how we work together to advance our common goals.
Saturday was filled with two strategic sessions. Led by Jeniffer Gonzalez Reyes, Program Manager, and Ari Hoy, Vice President, at the Bonner Foundation, “Issue Pathways” allowed students to work in campus teams and reflect on their experiences learning about and engaging on an issue, in connection with Bonner as well as their other college experiences. This session also exposed students to examples of formal pathways that their institutions might offer, such as certificates, minors, concentrations, majors, and career pathways. The second strategic session “Career Connections” led by Bobby Hackett, President, at the Bonner Foundation, aimed to promote learning and exchange of ideas on how we can help students all across campus pursue careers with purpose and meaning, especially ones that make the world a better place.
Saturday also featured fourteen workshops that showcased models and best practices led by student leaders across the network and national and graduate school partners. Workshops tackled issues such as “Seeds of Change: Raising Environmental Consciousness on Campus” to “Translating Your Service-Learning & Civic Engagement Experience in Your Graduate Admissions Application.”
Saturday also offered a Networking Fair with national nonprofit organizations and graduate schools that offer scholarships and special benefits for Bonner students and alumni. Students had the opportunity to connect with organizations such as School for International Training (SIT) that offer immersive, field-based study abroad programs for undergraduates and the Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership Program (NPL) at the University of Pennsylvania which prepares nonprofit leaders and social entrepreneurs to guide organizations tackling some of the world’s most complex social challenges and provides Bonner Scholars/Leaders, alumni, or staff who are successfully admitted into the program a guaranteed $10,000 one-time scholarship.
Additionally, participants had an opportunity to partake in a “Professional Pathways” session that provided space to connect with Bonner alumni, student leaders, receive career and graduate school advice from professionals, and have their resume reviewed by Bonner Foundation staff.
The conference wrapped up on Sunday with the final strategy track session “Taking Action as a Student Leader” led by Rachayita Shah, Community-Engaged Learning Director and Clifton Davis, Operations and Special Projects Coordinator at the Bonner Foundation. Participants discussed strengths and challenges managing key aspects of a Bonner Program, took stock of campus-wide service events, and brainstormed potential roles that BLT members could play in building coalitions across campus to plan service-based events and sustain a culture of civic engagement.
Led by two Student Planning Committee members, Rashel Bernal Reyes, Rutgers University New Brunswick Bonner alum, and Bryan Wood, TCNJ Bonner Scholar, the final closing session was designed to leave participants with lasting insights and memorable takeaways through reflection, discussion, and creativity. Bonner Congress would not be complete without community building and social activities. This year included s’mores and bonfire, Bonner trivia, karaoke, and arts and crafts. The Bonner Foundation wishes to express gratitude to everyone who helped make the 2023 Bonner Congress come to fruition.
