Leadership Knoxville: not all about the knowledge

Federal Judge Tom Varlan, a member of the Leadership Knoxville Class of '93, brings in his wife, Danni's, homemade cheesecake to our class party earlier this month.

Federal Judge Tom Varlan, a member of the Leadership Knoxville Class of '93, brings in his wife, Danni's, homemade cheesecake to our class party earlier this month.

As a former newspaper reporter, I am something of a skeptic. That’s probably why I became a reporter in the first place. So it’s perhaps understandable that, 18 years ago, when I was selected to be in that year’s Leadership Knoxville class, I had low expectations. I mostly had covered business and government and politics in my journalism career, so I already knew pretty well how those segments of our community worked. I also had covered law enforcement and education, although only briefly, thank goodness. So, really, what could I learn from Leadership Knoxville?

Well, what I learned is that it’s not really important what you learn. The important thing is bonding with your fellow class members. When you are in Leadership Knoxville, you will be thrown together with folks with whom you might not normally associate. There will be people from other social circles and people with vastly different interests and perspectives from you. There will be Democrats and Republicans and members of diverse religious faiths and racial backgrounds. There will be people you might find irritating and people you might find inspirational. And you will learn from all of them. Not only will you learn about them, you will learn about yourself.

Leadership Knoxville was founded in 1985. Every year, about 45 people go through the intense 10-month course. Right now, there are about 1,000 alumni.

Class member Carolyn Pearre poses with my husband, Alan Carmichael. Carolyn came from Nashville to attend the party.

Class member Carolyn Pearre poses with my husband, Alan Carmichael. Carolyn came from Nashville to attend the party.

Every year the staff of Leadership Knoxville tells the current class that they are the best class ever. I’m sure some classes are better than others, though. I can’t say for sure that my class, the Class of ’93, is the best class ever, but I will tell you one thing that we are pretty darn good at: bonding and sticking together as a group throughout the years. We take turns being the official class representative — I’m in my second year as that at the moment — but no matter who is doing it, it seems as if all the class members pitch in to help hold our class together.

Our class has a party every fall. It’s a potluck to which everyone contributes a soup, salad or dessert. We held our latest autumn gathering a couple of weeks ago and I’m posting photos of it here.

Cile Mathews is a member of our class. She was the director of the Florence Crittenton Agency when she was in the class, but she now is retired. “I think that getting together the first year and having a good time got us off to a good start,” she said. “Or maybe we just like each other more than members of the other classes do!” Cile said the consistency of having the party at the same time each year and having it in class members’ homes also makes it something we tend to look forward to and plan. It’s also great that everyone pitches in. That makes you really feel a part of it.

For whatever reason, our class members have become real friends.

If you or someone in your organization would like to be a member of Leadership Knoxville, it is a unique and valuable experience. Nominations for next year’s class are open now. Click here to go to the website for more information. Leadership Knoxville is a big commitment. Not only do you have to meet all day one day a month, but you have two overnight trips — and you don’t get to pick your own roommate! But it’s a commitment I’m glad I made. The relationships we formed 18 years ago are still valuable to us today. And I bet they will be for a long time to come.

Class member Jane Creed and her husband, Kenneth, hosted the party at their beautiful west Knoxville home.

Class member Jane Creed and her husband, Kenneth, hosted the party at their beautiful west Knoxville home.

Class member Bruce Anderson unloads a big pot of soup.

Class member Bruce Anderson unloads a big pot of soup.

Class member Lynne Fain arrives with the components of a salad.

Class member Lynne Fain arrives with the components of a salad.

Class member Annette Winston brings a contribution to the dessert bar. Actually, she brought two pies!

Class member Annette Winston brings a contribution to the dessert bar. Actually, she brought two pies!

Pretty soon we had a crowd of 27!

Pretty soon we had a crowd of 27!

Over the years, our spouses have become such an integral part of our group, that I sometimes have to stop and ponder to recall which member of the couple was the actual class member!

From left, Dr. Barry Winston, Rob Lundgren and Kenneth Creed. Rob was actually in the class.

From left, Dr. Barry Winston, Rob Lundgren and Kenneth Creed. Rob was actually in the class.

From left, Ron and Gwen Brown and Dr. Dwight  Wade. Gwen and Dwight were class members.

From left, Ron and Gwen Brown and Dr. Dwight Wade. Gwen and Dwight were class members.

Class member Thurman Kinnebrew and his wife, Becky.

Class member Thurman Kinnebrew and his wife, Becky.

Jane serves wine to Monique Anderson, center, and Jan Wade.

Jane serves wine to Monique Anderson, center, and Jan Wade.

Carolyn Pearre, left, with Rob and Beth Lundgren

Carolyn Pearre, left, with Rob and Beth Lundgren

Jan Wade gets her salad ready.

Jan Wade gets her salad ready.

Danni Varlan gets her soup on to warm.

Danni Varlan gets her soup on to warm.

Stuart Worden, a non-cook, brought enough bread for everyone.

Stuart Worden, a non-cook, brought enough bread for everyone.

And then it was time to open the buffet. From left, Dwight Wade, Larry Mauldin and Danni Varlan

And then it was time to open the buffet. From left, Dwight Wade, Larry Mauldin and Danni Varlan

Chicken rice soup

Chicken rice soup

Light chicken chili

Light chicken chili

Bonnie Mauldin at the salad bar

Bonnie Mauldin at the salad bar

The dessert line-up

The dessert line-up

Danni made the pumpkin pecan cheesecake that once graced the cover of Southern Living.

Danni made the pumpkin pecan cheesecake that once graced the cover of Southern Living.

Anyone who reads this blog knows what Alan's favorite part of the meal is!

Anyone who reads this blog knows what Alan's favorite part of the meal is!

Class members Gwen Brown and Annette Winston

Class members Gwen Brown and Annette Winston

Jan and Dwight Wade

Jan and Dwight Wade

Dwight Wade thinks he has the reason for our class’ success figured out. “Chemistry,” he wrote me in an e-mail. “There is a core of members who continue to feel an attachment that is worth preserving, so our chemistry probably plays a role.” And, he added, having had a positive experience in the class itself. “All of us who still remain in contact feel we benefited from the Leadership program and our year together and shared an experience that was worth resurrecting at least once or twice a year.”

Filed under: Business, Knoxville. Bookmark the permalink.

14 Responses to Leadership Knoxville: not all about the knowledge

  1. Lorie, on November 30th, 2011 at 11:03 am said:

    Looks like you really are the BEST Class EVER! 🙂 Thank you to the Class of ’93 for continuing to give to each other and to our community!!

  2. Tami Hartmann, on November 30th, 2011 at 11:11 am said:

    Looks like you had a great class! But it seems Leadership Knoxville has great classes every year. This is a great way to stay in touch–an inspiration to this year’s class and those before and after.

  3. Cynthia Moxley, on November 30th, 2011 at 11:20 am said:

    I TOLD you so, Lorie! Ha!

    Thanks for your comment, too, Tami. One of our own inspirations is the desire to have fun!

  4. Danni Varlan, on November 30th, 2011 at 12:14 pm said:

    Very nice article about the value of Leadership Knoxville and why the good things in our lives are the people who are in them.

  5. Cynthia Moxley, on November 30th, 2011 at 12:16 pm said:

    Awesome point, Danni. I totally agree.

  6. Annette Winston, on November 30th, 2011 at 12:24 pm said:

    What a great piece about our class. I think we are the best class ever because we all consider ourselves friends. We also had an early setback, when we lost Becky Ramsey shortly after we “graduated”. I think that made us appreciate one another more.

  7. Tammy, on November 30th, 2011 at 12:25 pm said:

    Great article – loved reading about your own perspective and appreciate you promoting LK and nominations for the next LK Class!!!

    Also enjoyed seeing the fun you guys had – wonderful pictures and updates about the Best Class Ever! Thanks so much for all that you and the other wonderful ’93 Alums do for LK and our community!

  8. Cynthia Moxley, on November 30th, 2011 at 12:30 pm said:

    Annette: Interesting thought. We have lost several members over the years and it really makes me appreciate the time we have to share.

    Tammy: Thanks for everything the staff does to support all the best classes ever!

  9. Rusha Sams, on November 30th, 2011 at 1:35 pm said:

    Really hated to miss this year’s annual event, but building a Habitat house in Nepal was truly a good thing! We have a cohesive, intersting group of people, and one of the things that keeps us together is just being interested in the lives and activities of the class members and spouses. Fortunately, we are still busy with interesting projects! (And we LOVE good food!)

  10. Carolyn Pearre, on November 30th, 2011 at 2:13 pm said:

    Cynthia,
    Excellent piece on LK Class of ’93 and I agree with all comments. It may also be that– “The class that plays together stays together”! Miss being there for all the other events.

  11. monique anderson, on December 1st, 2011 at 9:41 am said:

    This cl;ass is awsome. I have been fortunate to get to attend every time because of Bruce being a member of the class. My leadership knoxville class of 2000 copied this class’s event because I have had such good times with this class. You guys rock!!!

  12. Julie Morris, on December 1st, 2011 at 10:38 am said:

    Love this… Although the class of 2012 is pretty awesome too! I see us doing this kind of thing in years to come. Thanks for sharing.

  13. Glo, on December 1st, 2011 at 12:08 pm said:

    Cynthia, I was a member of the founding Junior League Committee of Leadership Knoxville. The four of us met and wondered how we were going to develop a curriculum that would teach the first class anything!!! Look at that class list and you will see what I mean!!! I stayed with the committee for two more years – what a great experience! I’m glad that your class enjoys reunions so much!

    Glo

  14. Cynthia Moxley, on December 1st, 2011 at 10:59 pm said:

    Glo: Thanks for the great job you all did in the beginning. We wouldn’t be here with the great classes today if not for your hard work. Julie: Good luck to the current class. Hope you all benefit as much as we have. Monique: You all also have a very cool class. My hubby is in it. I like the way our 2 classes have had joint gathetings over the years. Carolyn: You were so sweet to come from Nashville to be with us! Thanks! Rusha: You had one of best reasons I’ve ever heard for missing a party! Proud of work you are doing.

Leave a Reply