One of the most interesting books that I read in graduate school was The Quickening of America: Rebuilding Our Nation, Rebuilding Our Lives by Paul Martin Du Bois. It’s a wonderful guide that helps individuals and communities evaluate and understand how leadership and personal involvement does make a difference. Individual leadership and investment in our…
Grand Rapids: Here We Come!
Last week, Lindsey Cline, O∆K’s new director of communications and programs, and I had the pleasure of visiting the greater Grand Rapids region. We were there in preparation for the 2016 Omicron Delta Kappa Biennial Convention and Leadership Conference. For those who endured the sweltering heat during our last three conventions, I think the milder…
Monday Musings: At Last, A Circle Comes Along
Last week, many members of Omicron Delta Kappa gathered in New Orleans while attending the 2015 annual meeting of NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education). It was a great opportunity to get caught up with numerous faculty officers from around the country and to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing the current…
Friday Fusion: The Best and Worst of Travel
Between Friday, Feb. 19 and Monday, March 2, I spent 11 days on the road. I’ve also been in out and of the Charlotte airport several times; however, there is no truth to the rumor that we are going to be setting up a satellite office in a concourse there. There was even one night when…
Monday Musings: The New Beginnings of 2015
When I walked into O∆K’s headquarters this morning, I was greeted by a butterfly. It may be a moth; regardless, it was beautiful. It was sitting on a table inside stretching its wings when I arrived. Although Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today to indicate six more weeks of winter, as I let the butterfly…
Friday Fusion: Blake’s on a Plane!
Today is a happy day in the life of Omicron Delta Kappa. Later this afternoon, the Guilford College Circle in Greensboro, N.C. will be installed. Guilford College will become our 291st active circle. Guilford is a unique institution in that it has a Quaker heritage. One of the things I especially appreciate about the school…
Monday Musings: Leading When You Aren’t Sure Others Will Follow
As my staff and our board members will tell you, I’ve spent the summer remodeling a house in the Virginia countryside. It’s been highly frustrating at times, but there have been several leadership opportunities during the whole process. The most recent one occurred yesterday. I was returning from my weekly trip to The Home Depot,…