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WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Winston-Salem State University Department of Athletics held its first Rams Leadership Academy this year with 51 student-athletes graduating from the program this evening. The Rams Leadership Academy is a comprehensive program designed to develop, challenge and support WSSU student-athletes and coaches in their quest to be world-class leaders in academics, athletics, and life.

The 2007-08 graduates of the program represent the inaugural class for Winston-Salem State University. The 2007-08 class included 27 emerging leaders, consisting of freshman and sophomore, and 24 Veteran Leaders, consisting of juniors and seniors.

The program consisted of several individual leadership training sessions throughout the 2007-08 academic year. Student-athletes from all 14 of WSSU's NCAA Division I sports as well as members of WSSU's competitive cheerleading squads completed the program.

The Rams Leadership Academy was made possible by John Taylor of Taylor Companies, who donated $50,000 to help launch the program.  Through the generous contribution of Mr. Taylor, the WSSU Department of Athletics was able to hold the first of many annual WSSU Athletic Leadership Academies.  

Graduates were honored with a graduation ceremony tonight on the campus of Winston-Salem State University.  Also honored were student-athletes who earned the coveted "Three-Dimensional Leader (3DL) Award", an award given to individuals for earning the respect of their teammates, coaches, and themselves.

EMERGING LEADERS