Norse Leadership Society Retreat

This project is now closed.  If you would like to continue to support the Norse Leadership Society, please make a gift at: give.nku.edu or call Jodi Zerbe at 859-572-5489.

What is it about: The Norse Leadership Society Retreat was created in 1992 to help students develop leadership, teamwork, communication and critical thinking skills. Over the years it has created a community of leaders, and allowed students to build deep relationships with their peers, faculty, staff, alumni, and community.

Where will money be used: For just $5, you can pay for a student's meal during the four-day leadership experience. And just $65 pays for an entire retreat for a student. It provides a family of new friends who are empowered through experiential learning. These students are transformed, and when they come back to the NKU community they are ready to do great things.

Who benefits: Since its inception, this event has been changing the lives of our Norse Family. With your support, we hope to continue this tradition and create more lifelong loyal Norse!

Testimonials: Hear from alumni how the NLS Retreat changed their lives! 

Andrea & Lee Whitley  

Andrea- 2001 Graduate, Director, Consultant-Business Networking International

Lee- 2001 & 2004 Graduate, HR Manager for Amazon

"Not only did the retreat teach each of us so much about ourselves and our abilities as leaders, but it also was the start of a lifelong friendship. Lee, a new transfer student, and I, a very social and outgoing person, met while we were on the retreat in Gatlinburg and an instant friendship formed. We had so much to discuss, from things we were learning about at the retreat to challenges in life. That friendship became the foundation for our relationship and marriage. We will be married 10 years in July of 2015 and have a beautiful 8 year old daughter."

David Stetter                    

2008 Graduate, Coordinator for Student Involvement and Leadership Fraternity/Sorority Life, Washington University in St Louis

"The NLS Retreat was the spark that ignited my passion for leadership and student affairs. It is the reason I am proud to be a Norse. It is the reason I have the courage to take risks, be vulnerable, and lead with integrity. It defined my NKU Experience and is the reason I a proud Norse!"

Shauna Prentice       

2011 Graduate, Assistant Director for Student Organizations in the Office of Student Involvement, University of Kentucky

"The NLS Retreat did so much to prepare me for my current position, not the least of which being encouraging me to enter this career field. My experience on four NLS retreats taught me the power of working with college aged students and finding ways to maximize their potential, growth, and impact. My specific role includes leadership training and programming for student organizations at the University of Kentucky. My experiences attending and planning the NLS retreat have given me significant insight into the best ways to train student leaders, the importance of community building to ensure successful growth, and the value in really exposing students to new topics and challenging them emotionally and intellectually.  Every retreat or leadership experience I have planned since graduating from NKU has been in some way modeled after the NLS retreat. I strive to include enthusiasm, direction, purpose, challenge, support, and community in every service I provide my students - each of which I experienced and learned from the NLS Fall Leadership Retreat. "

Dustin Robinson          

2012 Graduate, Deputy Communication Director, Conway-Overly for Kentucky

"The Norse Leadership Society Fall Retreat provides a one-of-a-kind leadership development experience. The friendships that are made transcend  the University into a professional network that has enabled success in careers, and more importantly, provide life-long friendships. Because of the NLS retreat's personal development component, I am confident in myself, and am able to encourage others to harness their skills to success."