Here at the Surge Institute, we embrace the energy of our name. We routinely discuss ways in which we surge or are surging, particularly in the impact we make in the communities we serve. 

And we “feel the surge” every time we graduate a new cohort from our fellowship or one of our academy cities, as we’re doing this week in Detroit, when 20 brilliant education leaders complete their six-month journey of leadership, transformation, and community impact (plus, applications will open for Detroit’s 2027 cohort soon). 

So, as we approach boasting nearly 550 alums within our ranks–representing cities, schools, school districts, and education systems throughout the country–it’s becoming increasingly common that members of the Surge family encounter each other at unplanned times or in unexpected places. Let’s call this “random acts of Surgeness.”  

Here’s an example. 

In early January, the Surge Marketing team gathered in Atlanta for its inaugural marketing retreat. On the second day of the two-day gathering, our marketing minds huddled inside a conference room at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) near downtown. A few hours into this working session, there was a knock at the door. A woman enters and asks, “Is Will Collins here?”

As Surge’s chief external affairs officer, Will was, in fact, here. After a brief exchange, the lady explained that her husband was a Surge fellow and that she happened to be walking into the building when she saw signs for the Surge Institute (directing our guests where to go). 

She’d texted her husband that Surge was here, and he enthusiastically told her to pop in. That prompting led to the chance encounter, and Will was excited to meet Stacey, the wife of Surge alum A.J. Watson. 

“A.J. is one of our legends in the Surge community,” Will said, as the moment unfolded.

Stacey then connected A.J. and Will on FaceTime, while she laughed that “This is so random!” The entire room took pleasure in witnessing the joyous connection in real time. 

If you’re a part of the Surge family–an alumnus, partner, donor, former staffer, etc.–we’d like to hear your story about a random act of Surgeness you’ve experienced. Drop us a line at marketing@surgeinstitute.org.