Those with the best essays become Wingspread fellows. She then sends notices of upcoming conferences to the fellows, who can apply to those that suit their interests. Conference participation is by invitation only, so the process is competitive. Jesmok's motivation is the unique opportunity the conferences provide. Besides getting a chance to examine important social issues, the students can network with other students, as well as with potential mentors among the leaders in education, government, and business who attend.
Students get to meet the people who've written the textbooks they use.
It's a wonderful experience. The students' response to the conferences justifies Jesmok's efforts. Participants report having a powerful experience - one that sometimes affects the course of their lives. A good example is UWM grad Paul Schmitz, who founded Public Allies Milwaukee at a Wingspread conference in 1993. The benefits aren't exclusively intellectual, Jesmok points out.