Sauk County Institute of Leadership Participants Celebrate Program Completion at Graduation
Baraboo, Wi, May 19, 2026 - The Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) celebrated the conclusion of its nine-month program on Tuesday, May 19 with a presentation to the Sauk County Board of Supervisors before heading over to Mike’s Italian Restaurant for further remarks.
The evening began with SCIL Facilitator and UW-Madison Extension Sauk County Community Development Educator Morgan McArthur introducing the SCIL program at the monthly Board of Supervisors meeting. SCIL was established in the late 90’s to fill the void of lack of leadership in the county to move community development projects forward. Today SCIL has graduated about 450 leaders. SCIL participants receive a backstage look at topics that are important in Sauk County, blended with personal and professional development work.
After Morgan’s introduction of the program to the Supervisors, class participant Brad Keenan, Senior Marketing Manager at Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells, spoke to the supervisors. He had been nominated by his peers to represent the group. Brad reflected on his own leadership journey, and how he’s grown these past nine months. He shared, “Leadership isn’t about knowing everything… it’s about building relationships based on the trust that you won’t let the person next to you fail.”
The participants then departed for Mike’s Italian Restaurant for dinner and further celebration. SCIL President, Julia Randles, welcomed the group and encouraged the participants to “stay curious, stay courageous, and stay connected - to each other, to this community, and to the leader within you.”
After Dinner the group celebrated the 2026 SCIL Leadership Award recipient, Lance Tallmadge from Wisconsin Dells. Lance has introduced SCIL classes to Ho-Chunk culture in an engaging, entertaining, and educational way for over 20 years. Lance, a tribally-enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, known by his Ho-Chunk name White Bear, was born and raised in Wisconsin Dells. His life and work reflect a deep and enduring commitment to preserving, sharing, and celebrating Ho-Chunk culture and history.
The evening concluded with reflections on the year by Morgan McArthur. McArthur reminded the group that “the comfort zone is a beautiful place but nothing ever grows there” and that there is power and growth to be found in the stretch zone. Discomfort is a signal that we’re learning something new.
