The Clinton County Leadership Institute has begun its 2026–2027 year, with separate adult and youth cohorts meeting for opening sessions in Wilmington. According to the Wilmington News Journal, participants started with team-building and DiSC behavioral assessment work before a History and Government Day focused on local government, public safety and municipal history.
The adult class heard a civic overview from Commissioner Kerry Steed at the Clinton County Administrative Building and toured the county jail with Major Wahl. Later stops included the Clinton County History Center with Executive Director Shelby Boatman-McKay, the Murphy Theatre with board member Terry Thompson, the Wilmington City Building with Officer Grogan and the courthouse, where class member Nicholas Smith introduced Judge Carey.
Wilmington Savings Bank hosted lunch; Marketing Director Luke Ruther and Senior Loan Officer Bob Schaad discussed its 135-year local history. The day ended with the downtown tunnels and the Clinton County Veterans Commission, where Executive Director Jeff Rollins described the agency’s services and growth.
The youth collaborative has 28 high-school students from seven programs, with four each from Blanchester, Clinton-Massie, East Clinton, Great Oaks, Wilmington High School, Wilmington Christian Academy and a homeschool group. Their day included a scavenger hunt, a fire department tour, the history center’s America 250 material, the Murphy Theatre and a Peoples Bank lunch and building tour led by Branch Manager Summer Murlin.
Elizabeth Huber, the adult program coordinator, said the first two days showed strong energy from both classes. The institute, founded in 1986, says its mission is leadership development; classes meet monthly through April and end with a joint graduation.