Dr. Jay Strack Night of Celebration
Join the SLU Staff and Board of Directors for a special evening as we celebrate the remarkable legacy and lifelong ministry of Dr. Jay Strack.
For more than 50 years, Dr. Strack has faithfully invested in the next generation of leaders. Thirty of those years were devoted to building SLU from a dream into a movement that has impacted students, pastors, and educators across the nation.
On this special evening, we will gather together to honor his faithfulness, celebrate the vision God placed on his heart for young people, and reflect on the generations of leaders who have been shaped through his life and ministry.
Come celebrate the dream, the journey, and the legacy that continues to influence generations to come.
This celebration will be held in Orlando, Florida at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge
Celebration Details:
- When: Friday, May 1, 2026 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM
- Where: Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge 9000 Bay Hill Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819-4880
- Suggested Dress: Business Casual (for example: slacks, collared shirts, and optional sport coats for men and comparable for ladies)
- Kind Reminder: The dining room at Bay Hill Club & Lodge does not allow jeans.
- Travel Information: Closet Major airport is MCO (which is 25 min away)
- Deadline: Registration Deadline is April 17, 2026 (space is limited so early registration is highly encouraged)
Dinner Tickets
- Celebration tickets are $250 per attendee/ Special SLU Young Alumni (22 and younger) tickets are $100 per attendee
- Ticket price includes dinner and a partial scholarship for the SLU 101 Possibility Fund
- SLU 101 Possibility Fund: As part of honoring the legacy of Dr. Jay, the 2026 Possibility Fund is focused on helping 1,400 students begin their SLU leadership journey this Year!
Lodging Options:
- Universal Aventura Hotel - Deadline to book is April 6, 2026
- Rooms
- Queen/Queen Room: $179 plus tax per night
- How To Reserve: Dr. Jay Celebration 2026 Reservation link
- Rooms
- Lowes Sapphire Falls Resort - Deadline to book is April 6, 2026
- Rooms
- Queen/Queen Room: $260 plus tax per night
- How To Reserve: Dr. Jay Celebration 2026 Reservation link
- Rooms
- Bay Hill Club & Lodge: There is a limited number of Lodge Rooms being held at Bay Hill
- Rooms
- Garden View Lodge Standard Room: $330 plus tax per night (Sold Out)
- Golf View Lodge Standard View: $390 plus tax per night (Sold Out)
- Rooms
The Legacy of Dr. Jay Strack on Student Leadership University
A Dream Inspired
Over 30 years ago, on a late-night flight 30,000 feet above the ground and somewhere over points unknown, Dr. Jay Strack began scribbling down an idea.
In the fog of a busy travel season and the weariness that comes from preaching the gospel across the country, a thought began to take shape in his imagination.
What if there was a holistic leadership journey for high school students?
What if a generation could be equipped to Think, Dream, and Lead at the feet of Jesus?
Somewhere between destinations, with a Diet Coke in hand and a notebook open, the vision for Student Leadership University was born.
A Dream Fulfilled
Since that night, the idea of SLU has grown into a thriving organization serving students and leaders across the nation through Student Leadership University and Youth Pastor Summit. These ministries work together toward one shared mission: helping a generation tell a story with their lives where redemption is the theme and the Redeemer is the central character.
A Dream and Legacy Worth Celebrating
Since that moment in the sky, Student Leadership University has spent more than 30 years equipping over 327,000 students and leaders to think critically, dream boldly, and lead with purpose.
The dream that began on a late-night flight has grown into a movement impacting generations.
And that dream — and the leadership legacy of Dr. Jay Strack — is truly worth celebrating.
We would be honored for you to join us.