2nd annual honors conference inspires tomorrow's leaders
Rechelle Jackson
Copy Desk Staff
Issue date: 2/4/08 Section: Campus News
Welcoming more than 160 students and five other universities, TSU's University Honors Program hosted its second annual Student Leadership Conference on Feb 1-2.
The theme for this year was 21st Century Global Leadership: Vision, Strategy and Execution.
The idea for the conference stemmed from associate director of the Honors Program William Latham's visit to the Harvard Business School's African American Student Union Conference.
"I figured if it could happen at Harvard Business School, then it could happen here at TSU," Latham said.
Latham explained in an e-mail that he wanted to "join the movement to redefine the 21st century student as a catalyst of change locally, nationally and globally."
"The (conference) was very informative, it gave insight to what a leader should really be, I will definitely come back next year," said Xavier Brice, a communications major from Florida Memorial University. "It helped me become a better person and influence."
Charles McClendon of Gallup Organization presented the first session. The topic was Strength Assessment: Who are YOU to lead. He encouraged students to take time to enjoy their journey.
For Dericka Hudson, hearing McClendon's speech was just what she said she needed.
"He spoke on finding the strengths within ourselves; his energy was great and offered a great deal of insight,"said Hudson, a freshman cardio respiratory care science major from Antioch Tenn.
Day two of the conference offered more intellectual challenges, as it opened with a keynote address by Phyllis Adams on Servant Leadership.
Another highlight was the young alumni panel on Your Personal Credibility Must Always Exceed Your Opportunity. The panel consisted of eleven TSU alumni speaking on experiences they have encountered while being in the real world.
"I appreciated having people close to our age range speaking about what they have done," Brice said.
Chauncey Davis, a 2005 graduate and former SGA President, told students to, "run after your dreams as if someone is chasing you, trying to take them away from you."
Gender breakout sessions followed and Louis Upkins served as the male moderator while recording artist Debbie Winans-Lowe and actress Tasha Smith provided advice for the women.
Smith gave a real, in-your-face view of what life could really be like, but also how to turn it around.
"Your value is important, have purpose and destiny and look at yourself as property," Smith said. "The more you misuse yourself, the more your property value decreases."
Quinette Lark and Jacynta Harris, students from Fisk University, were near tears after the inspirational word both women provided.
"Everything was wonderful, inspirational, amazing and priceless," said the two. We will be back next year. We just wish that we were informed earlier so that we could have had more time to prepare.•
The theme for this year was 21st Century Global Leadership: Vision, Strategy and Execution.
The idea for the conference stemmed from associate director of the Honors Program William Latham's visit to the Harvard Business School's African American Student Union Conference.
"I figured if it could happen at Harvard Business School, then it could happen here at TSU," Latham said.
Latham explained in an e-mail that he wanted to "join the movement to redefine the 21st century student as a catalyst of change locally, nationally and globally."
"The (conference) was very informative, it gave insight to what a leader should really be, I will definitely come back next year," said Xavier Brice, a communications major from Florida Memorial University. "It helped me become a better person and influence."
Charles McClendon of Gallup Organization presented the first session. The topic was Strength Assessment: Who are YOU to lead. He encouraged students to take time to enjoy their journey.
For Dericka Hudson, hearing McClendon's speech was just what she said she needed.
"He spoke on finding the strengths within ourselves; his energy was great and offered a great deal of insight,"said Hudson, a freshman cardio respiratory care science major from Antioch Tenn.
Day two of the conference offered more intellectual challenges, as it opened with a keynote address by Phyllis Adams on Servant Leadership.
Another highlight was the young alumni panel on Your Personal Credibility Must Always Exceed Your Opportunity. The panel consisted of eleven TSU alumni speaking on experiences they have encountered while being in the real world.
"I appreciated having people close to our age range speaking about what they have done," Brice said.
Chauncey Davis, a 2005 graduate and former SGA President, told students to, "run after your dreams as if someone is chasing you, trying to take them away from you."
Gender breakout sessions followed and Louis Upkins served as the male moderator while recording artist Debbie Winans-Lowe and actress Tasha Smith provided advice for the women.
Smith gave a real, in-your-face view of what life could really be like, but also how to turn it around.
"Your value is important, have purpose and destiny and look at yourself as property," Smith said. "The more you misuse yourself, the more your property value decreases."
Quinette Lark and Jacynta Harris, students from Fisk University, were near tears after the inspirational word both women provided.
"Everything was wonderful, inspirational, amazing and priceless," said the two. We will be back next year. We just wish that we were informed earlier so that we could have had more time to prepare.•
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