Schanker selected as 2009 Henry Toll Fellow

David R. Schanker

Wisconsin Supreme Court Clerk David Schanker is one of 40 emerging state leaders from across the nation selected for the prestigious Toll Fellowship Program to be held in Lexington, Ky. Sept. 12-17.

The annual week-long seminar, sponsored by the Council of State Governments (CSG), is named in honor of Henry Toll, a Colorado senator who founded the Council in 1933. The program seeks to develop the next generation of leaders from each branch of state government. 

"This is great news for Wisconsin. David has demonstrated his leadership abilities in working with the Supreme Court, and it's great to see his efforts recognized at the national level," said Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson. 

As clerk, Schanker has taken on the added responsibility of assisting the Court in evaluating petitions for changes to Supreme Court Rules by conducting legal research, communicating with interested parties, and making recommendations to the Court, Abrahamson wrote in her nomination letter. The nomination was endorsed by Justice David T. Prosser and Director of State Courts A. John Voelker.

Applicants for this year's program included leaders from each branch of government in 40 states and two U.S. territories. Past Toll Fellowship graduates include governors, U.S. senators and members of Congress, as well as leaders in state government.  Among past winners from Wisconsin: Director of State Courts A. John Voelker, Rep. Marlin Schneider, D-Wisconsin Rapids; Sen. Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center; Rep. Pat Strachota, R-West Bend; former Rep. Sue Jeskewitz; former Sen. Brian Rude; and former State Treasurer Cate Zeuske.

The focus of this year's program is on trends analysis, policy development, media and constituent relations, and leadership and institutional changes. The program gives leaders perspectives they would not ordinarily obtain during the course of their regular governmental service.

CSG is a multi-branch organization, forecasting policy trends for the community of states, commonwealths and territories on a national and regional basis.

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