Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership
The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia was founded in 1993 to identify, educate, and train emerging leaders from throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. The institute is a non-partisan organization dedicated to improving the quality of governance and the strength of civic engagement in Virginia.
PROGRAMS
Through a variety of programs—for high school and college leaders to first-time political candidates and influential business and community leaders—the Sorensen Institute has established itself as a powerful and effective force for restoring public confidence in our political system. Former Virginia Governor Mark Warner has commented that, "This organization is incredibly important. Sorensen has become the model of successful bipartisan leadership training for the nation."
At the heart of every Sorensen program are three central themes: ethics in public service, the power of bipartisanship, and a concentrated study of public policy issues. Sorensen currently offers four programs: its flagship Political Leaders Program, a Candidate Training Program, a College Leaders Program and a High School Leaders Program.
ALUMNI
The Sorensen Institute has more than 1,000 graduates of its various programs. Eighteen alumni have been elected to the Virginia General Assembly, seventeen of whom currently serve— two in the Senate and fifteen in the House. Dozens more have been appointed to boards and commissions, while nearly 120 have been elected to local office. In the November 2007 elections alone, a record 48 Sorensen graduates won elections: 18 Republicans, 18 Democrats, and 12 Independents. Other alumni are serving in critical positions of leadership in nonprofits, local governments or in the private sector.
PRINCIPLES
The Sorensen Institute was founded on a core set of principles which inform its mission at all times. The Sorensen Institute:
- is nondiscriminatory and nonpartisan.
- does not participate in any manner in political campaigns and does not take positions for or against issues, causes or proposals.
- does not endorse, support or oppose any candidate for office.
- does not mediate disputes between or among candidates or political parties.
- does not review, express an opinion, or take a position with respect to the propriety of campaign literature or campaign material; and the use of the Sorensen name in campaign literature or material does not imply that the candidate, the literature, or the material has been endorsed, approved, or disapproved by the Institute.
WHO IS SORENSEN?
The Sorensen Institute was founded by Charlottesville businessmen Leigh Middleditch and Michael Bills as the Virginia Institute of Political Leadership in 1993. The first class of Political Leaders graduated in the spring of the following year and included future State Senator, the late Emily Couric. The organization took the name of generous benefactor Thomas C. Sorensen in 1997 shortly before he passed away. Tom Sorensen was a retired investment executive and a former Deputy Director of the U.S. Information Agency. Tom had a passionate belief in the mission of the organization. It was his wish that future generations of Virginians would always have the ability to take advantage of this unique opportunity. At the heart of Tom Sorensen's inspiring legacy is an enthusiastic commitment to principled leadership and public service. Tom Sorensen's younger brother Ted Sorensen served as special counsel and speechwriter to President John F. Kennedy.
The Sorensen Institute does not participate in campaigns on behalf of issues, causes, or candidates for office. Though it is housed at the University of Virginia, the institute relies entirely on donations and grants from individuals, corporations, and foundations to support its programs.