Towson University recently celebrated its 10 Year Anniversary partnering with LeaderShape to offer the Institute at their institution. We are excited to highlight some history and personal experiences from administrators, participants, and facilitators in this blog series.
This post is from Elliot Glotfelty, a native of Garrett
County, Maryland, currently residing in Baltimore working as a
laboratory technician in a government neuroscience lab. Over the past several
years Elliot has been a vocal advocate for vulnerable populations in Honduras
and South East Asia while volunteering with organizations that promote
increased educational infrastructure, anti-human trafficking policy, and access
to social services. Elliot will be returning to Thailand in Fall of 2015
through June of 2016 to continue working with various non-profit groups, teach
yoga, and perform music professionally. Upon return to the States, Elliot will
continue working in neuroscience with plans to pursue a PhD in the field. Follow his travels and other experiences at www.worldelixir.com
This past fall I was asked to write a song reflecting on my
2009 LeaderShape Institute experience, and at first, I had no clue where to start. From meeting some of my best friends to
encouraging me to change my undergraduate trajectory, LeaderShape has indeed
played a role in the path I’ve followed over the past few years. The balance and confusion of figuring out my
“career calling” and following a path that would not disappoint my personal and
family’s perceived potential of me, drove my decisions early in undergrad. Before
I attended LeaderShape my sophomore year of college, I planned on leaving
Towson University after three years, move on to pharmacy school, and start a
career. The path was set, and I wasn’t deviating. It wasn’t until this transformative
weeklong experience gave me space to reflect on life more deeply and surrounded
me with so many unique perspectives that I knew there was way more to get out
of college than a degree. I got involved—SGA, service trips abroad to Honduras,
residence life--- so many opportunities to learn from and connect with people.
This is what college is about.
Two years following my LeaderShape 2009 experience, I earned degrees in Chemistry and Biology, and the path ever since has been an adventure to say the least. I worked for about two years working in various government medical labs and then made the move to Thailand for eight months to volunteer with the non-profit Urban Light, an organization whose mission is to end the exploitation of boys and young men in Chiang Mai and throughout the country.
I always dreamed about traveling the world and having a big adventure and the dream came true. My twin brother (also a LeaderShape graduate) and I had never experienced extended separation prior to me moving to Thailand and he to Tanzania with the Peace Corps. Twenty- four years and we would be on our own. Leaving our family was tough for us both and I know even tougher for them. My Uncle Scott served in the Peace Corps in Togo during the late eighties and died after suffering thousands of bee stings while on a hike with friends. The drums, tapestries, and carvings from his stay, though reminders of his tragic death, were adorned throughout mine and family members’ homes as symbols of the importance of service and the possibility to engage the world. I never met my Uncle Scott, but his love for life, the world, and his family is engrained into my cousins and me through all of the stories told by our parents and family friends. This incredible man left the world so early, and he continues to impact my family and my life. LeaderShape was the bellow to the embers of this idealism that yes, I could make a tangible impact on the world.
Everyday on my Facebook newsfeed I see so many LeaderShape graduates doing amazing things all over the world---- from Peace Corps to leading non-profits in Guatemala and Honduras to organizing and advocating for communities in Baltimore following the unrest in the city surrounding police brutality. People are standing up for what they believe and leading the way for a better local, national, and world community. The world needs these leaders, and from what I can see, I know it’s in good hands.
Two years following my LeaderShape 2009 experience, I earned degrees in Chemistry and Biology, and the path ever since has been an adventure to say the least. I worked for about two years working in various government medical labs and then made the move to Thailand for eight months to volunteer with the non-profit Urban Light, an organization whose mission is to end the exploitation of boys and young men in Chiang Mai and throughout the country.
I always dreamed about traveling the world and having a big adventure and the dream came true. My twin brother (also a LeaderShape graduate) and I had never experienced extended separation prior to me moving to Thailand and he to Tanzania with the Peace Corps. Twenty- four years and we would be on our own. Leaving our family was tough for us both and I know even tougher for them. My Uncle Scott served in the Peace Corps in Togo during the late eighties and died after suffering thousands of bee stings while on a hike with friends. The drums, tapestries, and carvings from his stay, though reminders of his tragic death, were adorned throughout mine and family members’ homes as symbols of the importance of service and the possibility to engage the world. I never met my Uncle Scott, but his love for life, the world, and his family is engrained into my cousins and me through all of the stories told by our parents and family friends. This incredible man left the world so early, and he continues to impact my family and my life. LeaderShape was the bellow to the embers of this idealism that yes, I could make a tangible impact on the world.
“New World” reflects my journey through college up until this
past year. In times of insecurity during self-discovery, keeping an open mind
and connecting with a diverse group of people led me to where I am today. I am
currently continuing as research technician at a government neuroscience lab
and teach yoga at Sid Yoga Center in Towson, MD, in my free time. This fall I
will be returning to Thailand to play music, teach yoga, and continue working
with Urban Light and other non-profits in Chiang Mai. Travel and living in a new country has opened
up my perspectives so much and I look forward to what another nine months in
South East Asia will do for my future outlook.
I cannot thank my parents and siblings enough for all of their
love and support over the past couple of years as I’ve navigated my place in
the world. My mother and father always inspired in me the importance of service
to the local community and world and cultivated in me a deep curiosity for that
world. Whether through my music, scientific aspirations, or travels, my family
has always been by my side, and for that I am forever grateful.
Everyday on my Facebook newsfeed I see so many LeaderShape graduates doing amazing things all over the world---- from Peace Corps to leading non-profits in Guatemala and Honduras to organizing and advocating for communities in Baltimore following the unrest in the city surrounding police brutality. People are standing up for what they believe and leading the way for a better local, national, and world community. The world needs these leaders, and from what I can see, I know it’s in good hands.
lyrics
“New World”
I’ve always known love and so have you
Feeling’s hard to hide got a front row view
Let your heart shine, let your love flow free
To yourself, to your fellow man, to society
I traded the mountains for the concrete
New beginnings living life full of expectations of me
Life informed through way too many “shoulds”Feeling’s hard to hide got a front row view
Let your heart shine, let your love flow free
To yourself, to your fellow man, to society
I traded the mountains for the concrete
New beginnings living life full of expectations of me
But what should be never is never will you may never know you could
You never know what you’re looking for
Until it’s standing right in front of you like an open door
And you walk right in make yourself at home
What you find is the knowing you’re not alone
Twenty years old I thought life was on track
But the meaning wasn’t there until I took a step back
Travel the world, take it all in
Let more to see, let more to do, be my only sin
Pennies and dimes may be all that fill your pockets
But the change you carry will take you further than you ever thought it
The ideas you hold can change the world
Could you ever dream of more?
Welcome to your new world
Held on to old ways for too long
Welcome to your new world
Age of fire in your heart
Welcome to your new world
Cherish all that you’ve got
Welcome to your new world
Twenty five now look how far we’ve all come
Passion inside burns for more, keeps me on the run
Maps the only place borders are drawn
The world is yours, your home let’s treat it that way before its beauty’s all gone
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