Lafayette Leadership Institute Prepares Students for the Future

Accomplished alumni shared their experiences and perspectives with more than 150 junior and senior student leaders at the 2011 Lafayette Leadership Institute, themed “Pave the Way: Explore. Initiate. Lead.”

The annual conference focuses on developing skills and exchanging information relevant for student leaders on campus and after graduation.

“It was extremely inspiring to see how successful and happy these alumni are and how their leadership skills evolved during their time at Lafayette and throughout their careers,” says student leadership intern Caitlin Flood ’12 (Bellerose Terrace, N.Y.), a government & law and philosophy double major. “I think this event is a great way for students to network with alumni and other student leaders.”

Lauren Howland ’11 and keynote speaker Maureen Graham Raquet ’76

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 2011 workshop sessions covered topics including local and global sustainability, effective leadership, the complex role race and gender play in leadership, how to manage student organizations, event planning, public speaking, and applying leadership skills in the real world.

This year’s keynote address, “Forty Years of Co-education at Lafayette: A Pioneer’s Story of Leadership,” was presented by Maureen Graham Raquet ’76, former police officer, juvenile probation officer, and current executive director of the Montgomery County Juvenile Detention Center. She discussed how her career in male dominated fields has been influenced by her experiences as a member of one of the first co-ed classes at Lafayette.

Thomas Sumners Jr. ’80 (from left), Robin Wiessmann ’75, Liza Roos Prior Lucy ’74, Kelly Barrows ’06, Lauren Howland ’11, and Edward Bedrossian Jr. ’73

“For me personally, it has been extremely helpful to hear how alumni transferred their experiences here at Lafayette to the real world and how their involvement as student leaders prepared them for the challenges they faced entering graduate school or the workforce,” says student leadership intern Lauren Howland ’11 (Vestal, N.Y.), a neuroscience major. “After speaking with Maureen, I hope to not be afraid to take risks with my career and to choose a path that may not be the easiest but that will be the most rewarding for me in the end.”

Alumni panelists included Kelly Barrows ’06, graduate student in media studies and entrepreneur; Edward Bedrossian Jr. ’73, director of ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery at Temple University Hospital and attending surgeon at Wills Eye Institute; Liza Roos Prior Lucy ’74, quilt maker, author, and owner of GloriousColor.com fabric business; Thomas Sumners Jr. ’80, judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Mercer County Civil Division; and Robin Wiessmann ’75, investment banker and former Pennsylvania treasurer. The panel was moderated by James Hughes ’05, executive director of the Maroon Club.

A number of faculty members also served as presenters for workshop sessions including Michelle Geoffrion-Vinci, associate professor of foreign languages & literatures; Mary Jo Lodge, assistant professor of English; and Bonnie Winfield, director of the Landis Community Outreach Center.

The 2010-11 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;  Caitlin Flood ’12; James Gold, associate director of estate planned giving; Matthew Grandon ’12 (Lemoyne, Pa.); Rachel Hollander ’11 (Holmdel, N.J.); Lauren Howland ’11; Ashley Juavinett ’11 (Blackwood, N.J.); Jared Katz ’12 (Stoneham, Mass.); Nan Li ’12 (Shanghai, China); Rachel Moeller, associate director of career services; Andrew Moore ’12 (Austin, Texas); Clarence Scott, assistant director of residence life; Adam Stauffer, associate director of major gifts; and Bianca Vassare ’12 (Arlington, Va.).