Upcoming Events

May 5, 2006 - Maximum Impact-360º The Measure of a Leader conference at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA

May 17-19, 2006 - Teaching Leadership Workshop, Terry College of Business, UGA Campus

ILA, SIFE, & Career Center co-host Entrepreneurship Panel

On February 20 the Institute for Leadership Advancement welcomed Genevieve Bos, Founding Publisher of PINK Magazine, Debbie Shapiro, founder of Henderson Shapiro and Achim Reus, Founder and Owner of Achim's K-Bob. The panel was moderated by Scholar David Carswell (Management) and co-sponsored by Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and the UGA Career Center. Faculty, staff and students listened intently as the three panelists answered questions about the benefits and challenges of entrepreneurship. Much of the time was devoted to questions for this experienced panel and students were able to take away real advice for starting their own business.

A reception followed the event where all in attendance enjoyed delicious chicken, beef and veggie sandwiches from Achim's K-bob. The reception also provided the opportunity for the panelists to answer specific questions one-on-one in a relaxed atmosphere. We were fortunate to have the time and expertise shared by these three accomplished entrepreneurs.

Blue Key Initiates

Blue Key Honor Society is a premier honor society that recognizes college students at senior institutions of higher education for balanced and all-around excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service.

Among the proud initiates are the following ILA students:

• Nick Addison, Economics
• J. Joseph Antonio IV, Accounting
• Alexander R. Bunn, Marketing
• Hunter B. Fleetwood, Finance
• Amanda Jarrad, Psychology
• Matt W. Kreis, Risk Management and Insurance
• Joseph E. Lariscy, IV, Finance
• Jamie M. Peper, Finance
• Raj Shah, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
• Chloe R. Thompson, International Business

Community Connection: Athens Food Bank

During the month of February, the L.E.A.D. and Scholars program each took a large group to volunteer at the Athens Food Bank for a community service project. They assisted with sorting and boxing food and toiletries to donate the items to homeless shelters and to other low income families.

While receiving credit for a community service project the students also achieved that good feeling that comes from helping those that need it. Jen Novell, marketing major and 2007 Scholar, thought that the project was a wonderful experience. She commented that the efforts of the students at the food bank "are a perfect illustration of the power of teamwork and its ability to bring about positive, meaningful change in the community."

Annual Report Available

The newest annual report is now available on the web. Please click here to see ILA's many activities and accomplishments for 2004-2005. To request a hard copy, email your name and mailing address to The Institute for Leadership Advancement with "Annual Report" in the subject line.

ILA Photo Gallery

Check out photos from various ILA events including the recent corporate site visits, tailgates and speakers. New photos are added frequently, so be sure to check back often!

Upcoming Scholar Events

March 27, 2006 - Youth Leadership Athens, SLC, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

April 8, 2006 - Community Service Project, Sandy Creek Park, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

April 22, 2006 - Orientation for New Scholars and Parents, SLC, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

May 6, 2006 - Graduation Banquet, Athens Country Club, 6:00 p.m.

Scholars Attend Goizueta Leadership Conference

On February 2-4, scholars Eric Astrin (Real Estate, Marketing), Brooks Andrews (International Business, Economics), Christy Harris (Business Management) and Drew Fulton (Banking and Finance) attended Emory University's Undergraduate Business School Leadership Conference on behalf of the Terry College of Business' Dean's Council.

The Scholars were able to network with students from universities across the United States and from abroad. They also were exposed to keynote speakers such as Carla Harris, Managing Director of Morgan Stanley and Bob Nardelli the Chairman, President, and CEO of The Home Depot based out of Atlanta. The theme of this year's conference was values-based leadership. The Goizueta conference stressed the principle that leadership is the empowering and motivating force behind cohesive and coherent change.

Straight Talk From a Top Dawg

Scholars gathered on February 8 to hear advice from a former dawg, who is now a top dawg in the banking industry. As the Managing and Regional Director for Lehman Brothers, Robert Durham knows the investment banking industry inside and out. During his visit, Mr. Durham spoke openly and realistically about what it takes to get competitive jobs in banking. He also talked about what it takes to be successful and move up once you've entered the industry. As a recent hire at Lehman, current scholar Drew Fulton introduced Mr. Durham to the audience and testified to the networking and preparation essential for entry in a competitive industry.

Mr. Durham advised the scholars to build a network of people throughout one's career and always keep it growing. In addition, he sets an excellent example of giving back to those that have propelled him in his life. He has been integral in several initiatives at the University of Georgia, including serving on the team that is steering the endowment of the Leonard Leadership Scholars Program.

Turn 2 into 4 - Wells Real Estate Funds Site Visit

On February 10, both the 06' and 07' Leonard Leadership Scholars packed up the cars and headed for a corporate site visit at Wells Real Estate Funds, in Norcross, GA. Joe Colavito, VP of Education for Wells University, opened the morning with a pop quiz and candy yet stressed the importance of moral responsibility and the ideals of servitude.

Randy Fretz, Chief of Staff and Bobby Bowers, CFO, also discussed their responsibilities within the company and dissected the business to give a better picture of areas where they are most profitable and how they continue to adapt depending on where the real estate market is moving.

After a tour of the building and a break for lunch, scholars gathered back into the meeting room where they listened to the final speaker, Doug Buce, VP of Wells University. Mr. Buce kept the scholars engaged with his colorful and charismatic personality. He focused his discussion on leadership and what leadership embodies and challenged each of the scholars "to leverage our differences to inspire distinction in our companies."

Scotty Voigt noted that Mr. Colavito closed the afternoon with a very short, but valuable piece of advice for the scholars, "Turn 2 into 4." By doing this, don't ask why something happened 2 you, but instead, ask what that something might be doing 4 you.

All in all it was another great site visit to Wells and Scholar Tracey VanVoorhis summed it up this way, "I felt like the visit was a great chance to see a working example of a company that believes in and executes values. For me, an important aspect of business culture is "walking the walk"; all of the executives who spoke about business ethics and an honorable work environment truly believed their creed, and their actions and behaviors were reflective of that. It was great to see a very profitable, successful company co-existing with a morally-sound foundation."

Great Leaders are Insatiable Learners

Mr. Earl Leonard brought guest speaker Dr. Stan Beecham, Director and founding member of the Leadership Resource Center in Atlanta to campus February 22 to speak to scholars. As a Georgia alum, former Hairy Dawg, and UGA Sports Psychologist, Stan shared with students his unique insights in regards to the learning process and leadership. Scholar and Volleyball player, Liz Pace offered that he left me with a new outlook on how to input a leadership strategy in the workplace. His light-hearted look helped me to realize that a person's leadership style should shine from actions and words. In studying leadership for years, I had gotten nervous about always saying and doing and portraying the right images like the posters one sees in many offices, but Beecham implied that leaders don't have to take themselves seriously all the time and that was refreshing.

Ultimately, Dr. Beecham conveyed a simple truth: "Great leaders are insatiable learners." Scholar, Blake Edwards observed that he encouraged us to become obsessed with the process rather than results; to be truly curious when attempting to understand our relationships and the environment in which we operate. He also reminded us that business revolves around relationships and that successful leaders are open to others' input and advice. Finally, Stan stressed the importance of creating a culture of accountability and constantly striving to obtain one's very best.

Upcoming L.E.A.D. Events

March 23, 2006 - Community Service Project, Odyssey Healthcare of Athens, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

March 28, 2006 - Winning Water Festival, Athens Technical College, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

April 2, 2006 - Car Wash, Epps Bridge Parkway Wal-mart, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

April 26, 2006 - Hail & Farewell, UGA Chapel, North Campus, 7:00 p.m.

~ Special Thanks to our Corporate Partners ~