One more reason to stay: The first Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders. (Last Word).

One special event to look forward to in 2003 is the Indiana Leadership Summit on the Circle, presented by the Indiana Humanities Council and the Stanley K. Lacy Leadership Association May 13-15 in Indianapolis.

The event will feature a gathering of leaders in education, government and the business and non-profit sectors who will focus on critical issues for Indiana's future. Notable speakers will inspire and instruct, and discussion between panelists will provoke new thoughts. Bonds will be forged that will take Indiana into new and exciting areas of growth.

The summit will also do its part to address Indiana's "brain drain." The state faces a challenge in maintaining a talented pool of young people. Many of our brightest students pursue education elsewhere and do not return. The majority of out-of-state students who attend our colleges and universities because of their excellence in education leave after graduation. Hoosiers who do study in Indiana often leave after receiving their degree. In the future, the communities that will be most successful will be where bright people congregate and exciting things happen. Indiana must focus on bringing our native sons and daughters back from out-of-state schools, and keeping the new talent we educate.

In an attempt to improve retention of our graduates, one of the goals of the Indiana Leadership Summit, Gov. Frank O'Bannon will present the first Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders, a prestigious statewide initiative to recognize and honor a diverse group of outstanding young leaders from across Indiana who serve as models and inspirations to their peers and citizens throughout the state. The awards will be presented at a luncheon on Thursday, May 15, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. In addition to the announcement of the award recipients, Dr. Mae C. Jemison--chemical engineer, scientist, physician and teacher who in 1992 became the first woman of color to orbit into space--will provide the keynote address.

The Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders recipients will be chosen from among a pool of nominated candidates based on their demonstrated leadership and achievement in educational, cultural and community endeavors and entrepreneurial arenas. The target recipients will be Indiana residents, ages 19-29. Nominations will be sought across the state in an effort to effectively reflect the diversity of our young people. A panel of well-known civic leaders will select six to 12 winners from among the finalists. The recipients will receive a cash award of $1,000 in the form of a scholarship or a contribution to a charity of choice. The deadline for nominations is March 1.

Selection criteria will emphasize a balance of achievement in leadership, education and culture, and fall into four categories:

Educational Achievement--Classroom achievement and extracurricular activity and service combined.

Cultural Achievement-- Both participative and supportive of the arts and humanities.

Community Achievement--Encompassing a broad range of volunteer activities benefiting the public good of their community, city, campus or beyond.

Entrepreneurial Achievement--Including but not limited to formal employment. Achievements may include the starting of one's own business, holding an elected leadership office or starting a non-profit enterprise.

In addition to recognizing the achievements of young leaders in Indiana, the Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders demonstrates Indiana's commitment to identify and cultivate new, young leaders. This award encourages recipients to utilize their leadership skills to develop as emerging entrepreneurs, political and social leaders who benefit the public sector and business communities in Indiana. In our present environment, young people are looking to other states for opportunities. By submitting your nomination, we can offer them one more reason to stay.

John M. Mutz is former president of PSI Energy, former president of Lilly Endowment and former lieutenant governor of Indiana.