WALESKA, Ga. -- Reinhardt College student-athlete Olivia Goodall has been selected to participate in the 2010-11 Red Cross/NAIA Collegiate Leadership Program, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics recently announced. Goodall was one of just 13 NAIA student-athletes from across the United States and Canada, and the only one from Appalachian Athletic Conference institutions, to be chosen to take part in the prestigious program.  

"This is a really great opportunity for me," Goodall said. "It will be fun to learn new leadership development things, as well as getting involved with a great organization like the Red Cross.

"I had to fill out an application with a whole lot of essay questions and then do a phone interview with a committee from the NAIA. I then got a phone call about three weeks later telling me that I had been accepted into the program. I'm really excited about it.

"I'll be going to Washington, D.C., this summer and they pay for my entire stay at George Washington University. When I get back, I'll get a $2000 scholarship for next semester and my obligation to them is to hold two blood drives here on campus for the Red Cross."

Goodall, a general business major with an art minor, is a member of both the Reinhardt women's cross country and cheer teams. The daughter of Steven and Amanda Goodall, she is a freshman from Marietta, Ga., who graduated from Walton High School.

As part of its support of the Red Cross diversity initiatives, State Farm Insurance is sponsoring this partnership. The leadership program kicks off with two weeks of energetic training at the Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, D.C., from June 7-18. The incoming class will participate in a rare and unique opportunity to acquire first-hand coaching, mentoring and professional leadership training presented by one of the nation's largest non-profit organizations' senior leaders. In addition, Dr. Rob Haworth, NAIA Vice President for Champions of Character, will hold character workshops during the two-week leadership academy.

"Athletics plays such an important role in creating a sense of community on college campuses.The partnership with the NAIA has createda richopportunityto connect campus communitieswith the life-savingmission of the Red Cross through the energy of NAIA student- athletes," said Brian Hamil, Red Cross National Chair Biomedical Services. "As we enter our fourth year of the program, we remain grateful for the continuing financial support of State Farm Insurance."

"Student-athletes selected for the Red Cross/NAIA Collegiate Leadership Program will gain valuable skill sets tailored for students who wish to become more in tune with their leadership potential and cultivate a better understanding of the Red Cross and the NAIA," Haworth said. "We are extremely pleased with our partnership with the Red Cross and State Farm Insurance. Not only is this a wonderful opportunity to develop young leaders but it will also broaden student horizons."

This once-in-a-lifetime experience allows NAIA student-athletes to be a part of a team made up of young adults from campuses throughout the country. The program is part of a larger Red Cross diversity strategy for moving the organization from awareness to action, building Red Cross capacity to serve all Americans.

Student-athletes will learn from civic and business leaders how to uncover their leadership potential off the field. The participants will organize successful campus blood drives, actively participate on a leadership board, and take part in diversity and cultural competency training. For their efforts, students will receive scholarship support provided by the Red Cross and State Farm Insurance.

The other 12 participants will come from the following schools: Baker University and Central Christian College in Kansas, Eastern Oregon University, Madonna University in Michigan, Menlo College and Holy Names University in California, Oklahoma City University, Peru State University in Nebraska, Purdue University Calumet and Bethel College in Indiana, William Carey University in Mississippi, and Fisher College in Massachusetts.