Annual leadership conference commits students to action

Photo by Nina Schwinghammer
Students form a circle to make a “Dream Catcher” with red yarn, during the conclusion of the 2008 Leadership Conference. Over the weekend, students learned how to become better leaders in various workshops. The theme for the conferance was “Commit to Action”.

Every year, in order to promote and strengthen leadership on campus, the UAF Leadership office hosts a Leadership Conference. This year’s conference theme was “Commit to Action,” and the keynote speakers reflected the theme.

Chris Sarette, a member of the organization “Invisible Children,” presented the films “Invisible Children” and “GO,” both about the displacement of child refugees in Northern Uganda and their struggles with rebel abduction.

The first film, “Invisible Children,” gripped the audience with the horrors of child soldiers, torn from their homes and forced to kill. The second film, “GO,” showcased students from around the United States visiting students in Uganda.

Many of the students had been affected by the 17-year war, both emotionally and physically scarred by the rebels. “GO” pushed students to take a stand for what was happening, showing how certain students in the film did, even meeting with members of Congress.

Through personal stories and revelations from survivors, these films provoke students to act. Keynote speaker Matthew Segal, executive director of the Student Association for Voter Empowerment informed students of the importance of voting. Segal also discussed problems with the voting process, such as chads, electronic machines, and poor technology.

Students also had the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops on different topics such as management, volunteer work, how to lead, and leaders in history.

Terrance Cole, a professor of History at UAF, held a workshop on the failures and successes of leadership with reference to the Greely and Shackelton expeditions.

Cole stated, “The three most important aspects of being a leader are humor, humility, and flexibility.” A few of the workshops were student-led. One of these was an ASUAF-led forum for students to discuss what could be improved at UAF. Vice President Adrian Triebel helped organize the workshop and was impressed with the conference.

“I thought that the students contributed significant ideas through ASUAF and I was very excited about their enthusiasm. The students wanted to be involved and overall it was a phenomenal and great success,” Triebal said.

Students who attended the conference qualify for the Emerging Leadership Scholarship and also earn a chance to graduate with honors as well as gain valuable leadership skills.