Alumni Newsletter The purpose of this newsletter is to keep

Leader Advancement Scholars of all ages connected. Within this newsletter you will find profiles of alumni and recent events

involving current LAS students. Please enjoy the Alumni Newsletter.

Issue 3- Spring 2013

Eric Johnson, LAS Class of 2006

Currently: I am the director of Environmental Entrepreneurship at West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science. It’s a ridiculous title and name but basically I run an Entrepreneurial Program that allows high school students to start a sustainable venture business by the end of their senior year. For example, example, one of my students takes old shipping pallets and creates coat racks and small tables. As a culmination of the program, my students pitch their business to the school board for a chance to win a $1,000 award to be used for college or to invest in their business. I am also the Service Learning Trip advisor and cross country coach. How LAS helped: When I was interviewing for my job, I was able to reference a wide variety of activities that I participated in as an LAS student. Having the LAS activities and experiences as an example eased my nerves during the interview process because I had a scenario to reference for every question asked. My supervisor said experience made them choose me over the other applicants. I tap into my LAS experiences daily whether I am leading a staff meeting, running a cheesy icebreaker during class or in a staff mock rock.

Advice: Be present. Looking back I now realize numerous times I spent my energy focusing on the next best thing to come along. Even though that allowed me to achieve many of my goals, I sometimes missed the greatness happening in that moment. Take time to slow down once and a while and appreciate the relationships you have now because once you graduate most of your friends will be spread across the country.

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The Annual Leadership Advancement Scholars Grad Ball banquet was the place to be this April. Graduating LAS juniors and seniors were honored for their accomplishments and contributions to Central Michigan and the

Leadership Institute. Almost all LAS students were in attendance, along with their guests and many parents of graduating

students. This year’s banquet

had more events than most. Dan Gaken and Erin Smith are recently engaged. To celebrate, all LAS students were invited by the LI office staff to contribute their best marriage advice. Jesi Parker explained it best by saying, “Asking marriage advice from a bunch of unmarried college students.” Advice ranged from never taking Erin to a museum to always keeping family first and LAS family close behind.

That’s not where the excitement ended though, seniors Jacob White and Chelsey Colston were engaged just a few hours before grad ball at the seal on campus. Congratulations from LAS and a glass-tinging induced kiss were part of the celebration. All of the graduating LAS are promising future alum and the night was a wonderful way to wish them the best.

The Annual LAS

Grad Ball Professor Gary Fuller has been teaching

philosophy to LAS students for over ten years and has enjoyed every minute of working with the leadership cohort. Professor Fuller enjoys the vivacious energy that the leadership cohort brings to his philosophy class.

Professor Fuller is a big fan of the cohort system. “I believe it holds students more accountable for their work because they know that they will continue to work with their cohort for the rest of their academic career. It has a unique capability of getting the best work out of the leadership students.”

“I’ve noticed that honors students are so focused on their grades, that they are afraid to take risks. That’s one thing I enjoy about the leadership cohort, they aren’t afraid to ask the big questions and take risks.” Professor Fuller found that LAS students ask the most daring questions because their grades aren’t their primary focus.

“Leadership students tend to work harder than any other students I teach.” Professor Fuller explained, “I enjoy teaching the leadership students because of the small classroom sizes.” They create a more intimate environment that is more cohesive for learning.

Professor Fuller advised LAS students, “If you’re going to think of yourself as a leader, you have to know something about something. You can’t be a leader of mathematics without knowing arithmetic. You can’t be a government leader without knowing about politics.

Today’s society seems to encourage students to get involved in as many things as possible.” Professor Fuller advised LAS alums, as well as current LAS scholars, not to spread themselves too thin.

Gary Fuller: Teaching LAS for Over 10

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Leader for Life Award The Leaderships Institute presents the Leader for Life Award annually to an individual who,

over their career, has demonstrated the values promoted by the Leadership Institute. The Leader for Life Award began as a function of the Leadership Council. Nominations were solicited from Deans and Associate Deans and then vetted by the chair before balloting was open to the Council. This was the process used to select the first two award winners, Marcie Weston and Roger Coles. Three years ago, the selection process for the award changed. It was then decided that it would be more meaningful for Leadership Institute students, the Leadership Advancement Scholar seniors in particular, to play the critical role in the selection of recipients. In the first year of student selection, Leadership Institute Director Emeritus Dyke Heinze was selected. The seniors had three nominees to choose from this year: Stan Shingles: Mr. Shingles is currently the assistant vice president of recreation, camps and conferences at Central Michigan University. Stan has been instrumental in creating one the nation's leading recreation facilities and intramural programs while developing leadership amongst his staff. Recently, Stan was elected the national president of the National Intramural and Recreation Sports Association. Blaine Stevenson: Dr. Stevenson is an emeritus professor of sociology at Central Michigan University. Blaine was well known for encouraging students to participate in social activism, in particular, in the field of environmental issues. Dr. Stevenson, for many years, taught the LAS cohort SOC 221L class and was remembered by many LAS as a favorite faculty member. Betty Wagner: Betty Wagner served as the director of admissions at Central Michigan University for nearly 20 years. During her tenure, she helped create the Leader Advancement

Scholarship and was a true champion for promoting the LI with prospective students. Her service to the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers was unsurpassed, and in 1992 she served as the organization's president. The 2013 Leader for Life Award was presented to Dr. Blaine Stevenson at the annual Graduation Ball.

2013 Leader

For Life:

Blaine Stevenson