Tori Remondelli
  • mechanical engineering
  • Class of 2016
  • Point Pleasant

Tori Remondelli of Point Pleasant Part of Second Place Team at Collegiate Leadership Competition

2016 Apr 19

Tori Remondelli of Point Pleasant, N.J., a mechanical engineering major at Widener University, was part of a seven-member team that had a strong showing recently in the second annual Collegiate Leadership Competition. The team finished second among six teams at the competition held April 8-9 at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Collegiate Leadership Competition gives students the opportunity to put their leadership knowledge, skills and behaviors to the test against students from other colleges and universities. In addition to Widener, this year's competition included teams from John Carroll University, the University of Southern Maine, the University of Akron, and Walsh University.

"There were 12 events, and we were in first place after the 10th event," said Dr. Arthur Schwartz, executive director of the Oskin Leadership Institute at Widener and coach of the team. "The first place team topped us by one point. It was a thrilling, exhausting and unforgettable experience."

Students in the competition are judged on their leadership knowledge, including their understanding of 13 core leadership concepts, which comprises 30 percent of their score. The bulk of the score - 70 percent - depends on their performance in leadership scenarios which test their ability to lead under the stress of a deadline or other challenge.

"This is a high-impact educational experience that helps students hone and enhance their behavioral skills and cognitive competencies," Schwartz said. "It's an exciting and challenging competition for students who want to develop their leadership muscles."

Included among the competition's events was a communication exercise leading a blindfolded teammate through a maze, and the challenge to construct and navigate a boat made from household items such as cardboard and tape.

The mission of the Oskin Leadership Institute is to perpetuate the university's long and noble tradition of inspiring students to be strategic leaders and responsible citizens who possess the character, courage and competencies to affect positive change throughout the world.

Widener University is a metropolitan university that connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, leadership development and experiential learning are key components of the Widener experience. A comprehensive doctorate-granting university, Widener is comprised of eight schools and colleges that offer liberal arts and sciences, professional and pre-professional curricula leading to associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university's campuses in Chester, Exton and Harrisburg, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., are proud to be tobacco-free. Visit the university's website, www.widener.edu.