November 19, 2005 - ILA Tailgate, Brooks Hall lawn on North Campus, Beginning 3 hours prior to kickoff: UGA vs. Kentucky. Parents, alumni, students, donors and friends are all welcome!

Michael Capellas (President & CEO of MCI) talks about staying focused

On September 7, the ILA partnered with the Terry College MBA Program to bring Michael Capellas, President and CEO of MCI, to UGA as the Fall ILA Executive Speaker. With an audience of over 300 UGA students, faculty, staff and MCI employees, Capellas spoke on "Staying Focused in Today's Evolving Business Environment". Credited with steering MCI (formerly Worldcom) out of the largest corporate bankruptcy in U.S. history, he told the audience that the key to his success was simply hard work. "Frankly, I think I worked harder than anybody else," he said. "I've always believed in hard work. You work hard, you get ahead." He also discussed retiring the WorldCom Brand to MCI, the challenge to rebuild company moral around the brand name and it's employees, and the pending acquisition with Verizon. Capellas feels mastering and keeping pace with technology will be critical for future business leaders, no matter what business they're in. "Learn something new every day," Capellas advised. "I'm still as good technically as I was 20 years ago, and I'm damn proud of it." The best turn out to date for our Executive Speaker Series, the event was clearly worthwhile for the audience as they gained first-hand knowledge about the challenges of leading in an ever-changing business environment.

Earl Leonard honored at annual Terry Donor Recognition Gala

Benefactor to the Leonard Leadership Scholars Program and Terry College of Business, Earl Leonard, was honored at the Terry Donor Recognition Gala the evening of September 9 on the Brooks Hall Lawn. Filet mignon and lobster was served to 140 guests dining under the Terry tents and 10 scholars attended as ambassadors for the evening, with scholar alumni Will Harkins speaking on behalf of the program. All scholars had a chance to share thank yous in a scrapbook presented to Mr. Leonard along with the Donor Award. These are currently on display in Brooks 301D.

New! ILA Photo Gallery
Check out photos from various ILA events including the recent Corporate site visit to Synovus, and several speakers.

100 Burritos slammed at annual welcome back!
Junior and senior Leonard scholars, and even a few alumni still on campus working on Law or MAcc degrees, came out to Memorial Park Zoo the second week of classes to reconnect and share their summers. ILA held the annual mentor orientation on the same afternoon and 10 out of 17 of this year's mentors were able to join us for the Barberitos burrito slam. ILA program staff, scholars, and faculty packed the park pavilion on a rare breezy august night with stories and laughter.

Slain Scholar Honored at UGA

1st Lieutenant Noah Harris, UGA graduate, Leonard Scholar, Cheer Squad captain, Terry College of Business graduate, Sig Ep brother and friend was honored at a memorial in the UGA Chapel on September 9 by members of his family, friends, university friends and faculty, ROTC officers, and fraternity. Major John Porambo hosted the words of loving memory shared by fellow ROTC cadets Cave and Harrison, SigEp President Bryan Covert, Leonard Scholar former Director Melenie Lankau, and fellow scholar Joe Young. Lucy and Rick Harris shared their words and joined ROTC officers at the Military building on campus for a dedication of the weight room in Noah's honor which was marked by a bronze plaque (click photo to enlarge). Video of the memorial service will be broadcast on the UGA local cable channel 15 this weekend on Charter Cable at 4pm on both Sat/Sun Oct. 15-16. Lucy and Rick Harris' letter of thanks to the UGA community is on the ILA website homepage.

Upcoming Scholar Events

Corporate Site Visit to Synovus - November 4, 2005, Columbus, GA

Epworth by the Sea Junior Class Retreat - January 20-22, 2006, St. Simons Island, GA

L.E.A.D. visits Athens Animal Shelter

On September 20th and 27th, a group of L.E.A.D. students visited the Athens-Clarke County Animal Shelter. The students had the opportunity to walk, play, and even bathe dogs that have been put up for adoption and need a good home. This is just the beginning of the commmunity service projects they have planned for the year, soon they will visit the Athens Foodbank and spend a day with Habitat for Humanity.

Barbara Musengo's passion for her role as the Certificate Program Coordinator for the L.E.A.D. program is evident. "I get to watch as students grow to be future leaders in society, as they learn integrity, honesty and how to be a well-balanced member of society," Musengo says. "I always wanted to be in a career in which I could help people, and these students are incredible."

In her position, Musengo works on the academic side of the program, dealing with curriculum, advising and certifying students for graduation. She does all this in conjunction with her work as an academic advisor in the Terry College. Being an advisor has helped Musengo with the L.E.A.D. program, but being impassioned for a job in which she can make an impact on the future leaders of society makes the difference.

"I try to give one hundred percent all the time," Musengo says. "But I could never do this without the help of the wonderful, hardworking officers and the rest of the ILA staff. This is a joint effort." As a student in New York, Musengo majored in psychology and began an occupation in social work. Along with her husband and son, who is now a student at the University of Georgia, Musengo moved to Athens in 1994 and began working at the University.

She took the position as Certificate Program Coordinator at L.E.A.D. because she loved working with the students and knew she would have an opportunity to expand her knowledge and enhance her role as an academic advisor. "I just love the students with whom I work," Musengo says. "This is such a unique position that allows me to work with incredible people and encourage students as they work toward becoming future leaders."

Upcoming L.E.A.D. Events

Fall Hail and Farewell - Friday, December 2, 3:30pm