It’s time to play follow the leader, at least for the 22 newly selected

orientation leaders (OL). Eleven men and eleven women were recently chosen

to guide and enlighten incoming freshmen students with their knowledge,

talents, and an array of personalities.

The OL candidates had to meet two main requirements — be an undergraduate

and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA. The selection process for candidates

involved three steps: a group interview, group activities and a final

interview with director J. J. Brown and his assistants.

Using Pat Summitt’s Reach For the Summit as a textbook, the carefully

selected individuals must sacrifice 3 hours twice a week to learn morals

and values beneficial to their leadership roles.

“I am in the process of reading the book for the fourth time. I feel it is

appropriate because it discusses loyalty, effort, team work — individuals

coming together as a whole — a unit,” said Brown.

The ’99 OLs must also be available throughout the spring semester and

during the summer, sacrificing plenty of time that Brown said is worthwhile

in the long run.

“These students represent the university,” he said. “It’s a challenge, a

responsibility and it’s fun. The chance to make a difference in parents’

and students’ lives is a reward.”

The decision to become an orientation leader was a personal one for both

Shonda Wilson, a former and recently chosen OL and Casey Buttrey, a newly

elected leader.

“Orientation made the difference for me in coming into The University of

Tennessee. I was skeptical at first but then I made the choice to become a

Volunteer,” Wilson said.

“I love the atmosphere here and (OLs) are representative of school,”

Buttrey said.

Besides learning the concept of teamwork and life’s values, expectations

for the class of ’99 include one main goal.

“To be the best OL team ever — that is the goal every year,” said

Brown.