Kosciusko Leadership Academy

08/25/2026

A new Kosciusko Leadership Academy journey begins! 🎉

We welcomed the KLA Class of 2027 during Kickoff Day at The Owl's Nest in North Webster. The class connected, learned more about KLA and boarded a bus provided by Grace College to explore northern Kosciusko County.

The day included a ride aboard the Dixie sternwheeler on Webster Lake and a visit to POLYWOOD, where the class learned about entrepreneurship and sustainable manufacturing. Cori Humes with Visit Kosciusko County also shared insights into the county’s communities, attractions and resources.

Thank you to Owl’s Nest, Grace College, POLYWOOD, Cori Humes and everyone who helped make Kickoff Day possible!

07/30/2026

Ready to grow as a leader?

Applications are still being accepted for the 2026-2027 Kosciusko Leadership Academy class, beginning this August!

Join a network of leaders committed to strengthening Kosciusko County through collaboration, service, and community impact.

✔ Build lasting relationships
✔ Expand your leadership skills
✔ Help shape the future of our community

Apply today: https://www.kosciuskoleadership.org/apply/

Questions? Contact Ben Rice at [email protected].

07/28/2026

Great ideas don’t end at graduation.

WE LEAD Kosciusko is a perfect example of how a KLA White Paper project can grow into something that creates lasting impact for our community. What began as a KLA white paper has become an opportunity to connect residents with local nonprofits, leadership organizations, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved across Kosciusko County.

Join us on Wednesday, August 5, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion for the WE LEAD Kosciusko Volunteer & Community Engagement Event.

Whether you’re looking to volunteer, expand your network, develop your leadership skills, or simply learn more about organizations making a difference in our community, this event is for you.

We can’t wait to see you there and celebrate the power of community leadership.

06/23/2026

👀 KLA Alumni... where are you now?

Whether you graduated from KLA years ago or recently completed the program, we'd love to see you at the KLA Alumni & Community Mixer!

📅 Wednesday, June 24
⏰ 4:30–6:00 PM
📍 Port Winona

Come reconnect with classmates, meet future leaders, and learn what's ahead for KLA. No registration, no presentations, no pressure!
Come for great conversations and community connections.

Tag a fellow KLA alum and invite them to join you!

06/15/2026

📣 KLA Alumni, future leaders, and community champions — you're invited!

Join us for the KLA Alumni & Community Mixer on Wednesday, June 24, from 4:30–6:00 p.m. at Port Winona.

Reconnect with fellow alumni, meet future cadets, learn about the upcoming KLA year, and discover ways to support the next generation of leaders in Kosciusko County.

✨ Casual networking
✨ Great conversations
✨ No registration required

Just come, connect, and be part of KLA's future.

05/05/2026

Big things start with bold ideas and committed leaders. 💡✨

The Community Fieldhouse in Winona Lake is more than a new facility. It’s the result of vision, collaboration, and the kind of leadership that turns ideas into action. 🏗️🤝

This project began as a Kosciusko Leadership Academy white paper and is now becoming a reality through the dedication of community partners, including Grace College , and leaders who saw what was possible. 🎉

Pictured are the individuals behind the Fieldhouse of Dreams white paper project:
Left to right: Allyn Decker (KLA moderator), Angie Summers, Denny Harlan, Chad Hummel, and Carol McGregor.

This is exactly what KLA is about—developing leaders who make a lasting impact in Kosciusko County.

Ready to be in the room where ideas turn into action?
Applications for the 2026–2027 KLA class are OPEN, with the program kicking off in August.
👉 Learn more on our website at www.kosciuskoleadership.org or connect with Ben Rice at [email protected]

04/24/2026

From white paper to reality.

Excited to see this KLA project come to life as Grace College breaks ground on the Community Fieldhouse—marking the first Catalyst Corridor project.

Proud moment for collaboration and community impact!

WINONA LAKE - An idea that started as a Kosciusko Leadership Academy White Paper Project broke ground Thursday at the Miller Athletic Complex on the Grace College campus.

04/22/2026

Another incredible class of leaders 👏

The KLA Class of 2026 is already making an impact, and this year’s Northerner Award highlights a project focused on housing, workforce, and second chances in our community.

Help us celebrate them below ⬇️

NORTH WEBSTER - While the Kosciusko Leadership Academy (KLA) Class of 2026 celebrated its graduation Tuesday night, time also was taken to remember two pillars of the organization who died in the past year - Jean Northenor and Dr. Jeffrey Fawcett.

04/22/2026

Big ideas. Real impact.

One of the most powerful moments from last night’s KLA graduation was the presentation of the Northener Award—recognizing the top white paper project from the Class of 2026.

This year’s award went to the Second Chance Housing Program 👏

Congrats to:
Don Halvorsen, Sam Stewart, Tony Peterson, and Jessica Mikesell

Their project stood out for one big reason:
it addresses a real and urgent need in our community.

The team proposed a tiny home recovery community—creating a path that includes housing, job training, financial literacy, and long-term independence.

Judges highlighted:
• County-wide impact
• Strong partnerships
• Long-term sustainability
• A truly compelling need

The Northener Award will help move this project forward while also bringing visibility to a solution that could impact lives across Kosciusko County.

This is what KLA is all about—turning ideas into action.

04/22/2026

Last night was a special one for KLA

We gathered at The Owl's Nest to celebrate the Kosciusko Leadership Academy Class of 2026—a group of individuals who have spent the past year learning, growing, and leaning into what it means to lead in our community.

But the evening was about more than graduation.

It was about legacy.

This year, we honored Jean Northerner, one of the founding leaders of KLA, whose vision helped shape what this program is today. Her impact continues to live on through every class, every connection, and every leader who steps forward.

We also recognized the lasting influence of Jeff Fawcett, whose passion for this community continues through the foundation established in his honor—supporting leadership and growth for years to come.

KLA has always been about people. People who care. People who step up. People who believe Kosciusko County can be even better.

And last night was a reminder that the future is in really good hands.

More to come as we celebrate this incredible class 👏