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Accomplished alumni shared their experiences and perspectives with close to 100 junior and senior student leaders at the 2010 Lafayette Leadership Institute, themed “Keeping the Torch Lit: Lifelong Leadership.”
The annual conference focuses on developing skills and exchanging information relevant for student leaders on campus and after graduation.
“I learned how important it is to take risks and try new things–even as a senior in college,” says English major Adriane Marcellus ’10 (Earlville, N.Y.). “I will take risks, especially when it comes to searching for a job. Now I intend to apply to some jobs that I wouldn’t normally have considered.”
Made possible by the Class of ’68 Leadership Fund, the institute is presented on campus by the Lafayette Leadership Education Committee and the Office of Student Life Programs. It consists of a keynote address with three blocks of educational sessions, an alumni panel presentation, alumni round table discussions, leadership resources, and a leadership recognition ceremony. The 2010 workshop sessions covered topics including money management, entrepreneurship, volunteerism, the graduate school admission process, and using the Internet as a job searching tool.
“The program’s mission is to educate and motivate our student leaders for excellence in and out of the classroom, with a focus on lifelong learning and initiative, creative and critical thought, civic involvement and community stewardship, exploration and value of difference, and responsibility, accountability, and integrity,” says student coordinator of the institute, Amanda Pisetzner ’10 (Puyallup, Wash.), a double major in English and a self-created major called equality and social justice.
This year’s keynote address was presented by President Daniel Weiss who welcomed the student leaders and introduced the conference by highlighting the leadership qualities exemplified by alumnus and Olympic gold medalist Alfred LeConey ’24.
Alumni panelists were Kara Boodakian ’07, production manager for CNBC Strategic Programming and Development; Berrisford Boothe ’83, associate professor of art at Lehigh University; Abigail Lewis Cooper ’98, senior program officer with the National Democratic Institute; Lafayette Trustee Barbara Levy ’77, former executive vice president of merchandising for Ross Stores, Inc.; Cynthia Paige ’83, physician and member of the faculty of New Jersey Medical School, and panel moderator Beth Nelson ’96, Lafayette director of major gifts. David Walton ’97, lead researcher for Lockheed Martin, and Alan Hoffman’88, special guest panelist and deputy chief of staff for Vice President Bidden, were unable to attend due to snow.
A number of faculty members also served as presenters for workshop sessions including Susan Averett, Charles A. Dana Professor of Economics; Elaine Reynolds, associate professor of biology; Roger Ruggles, associate professor and head of civil and environmental engineering; and Julie Smith, assistant professor of economics.
The 2009-10 Lafayette Leadership Education Committee consists of Pam Brewer, associate dean of students and director of student life programs; Darlene Cerullo ’11 (Drexel Hill, Pa.); Alan Childs, professor of psychology; Bob Dustin, assistant director of student life programs; James Gold, associate director of estate planned giving; Michael Gruner ’10 (Bethesda, Md.), student leader intern; Rachel Hollander ’11 (Holmdel, N.J.); Lauren Howland ’11 (Vestal, N.Y.), student leader intern; Treyvon Jackson ’10 (Germantown, Md.); Ashley Juavinett ’11 (Blackwood, N.J.); Rachel Moeller, associate director of career services; Beth Nelson ’96; Amanda Pisetzner ’10; Clarence Scott, assistant director of residence life; Bradley Williams ’10 (Marriottsville, Md.); Jeff Zimmer ’10 (Brick, N.J.); and Amber Zuber, assistant director of the Landis Community Outreach Center.