The Loop
School of Leadership Studies Kansas State University Issue 9, Spring 2009
A Golden Future finding opportunities in unprecedented times Mary Hale Tolar Interim Director
We have much to learn from history, always. In these times of unprecedented challenges, leaders of government, education, and industry turn to history for models, inspiration, or for clues to discover the best way forward. And yet much of what we face is, well, unprecedented. Moving forward requires new learning. The School of Leadership Studies regularly employs a process – a mantra, of sorts –
called the “yes, and…” It is a way of addressing a situation that affirms multiple contributions and perspectives. To ideas offered for consideration, we say “yes, and…” Responding with “no,” or “yes, but” ties us to the way things are, or have always been, and prevents us from reaching the way things could be. The process has served us well as we have created new ways of teaching and learning leadership. We now offer the largest academic program on
campus, and are preparing to move into a new building in Spring 2010. These are exciting times! As for looking to history, I say yes!, and…. The School looks to its history for the development of our mission, and the both intentional and unanticipated growth of our programs. From a recent evaluation of the first 10 years of the program, we can see what is essential, what is at our core, and to it we say yes!, and…. And we take stock of the circumstances
of our current environment, and see, embedded in the challenges, opportunities for exercising leadership and for creating new learning. As you look through The Loop, you will see the many and varied ways in which our faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and most of all our students, are exercising leadership and creating new learning. These are unprecedented times, with unprecedented opportunity. Thank you for joining us as we move forward together!
the loop contents Director Letter Building Progress Michael C. Holen Award Amy Button Renz International Service Teams Deb Richard Lecture
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6 Leaders in Residence Guest Lecture Series 7 SLS Teamwork Advancement Council News 7 8-9 Building the Future: Student Internships Feature
Look Across the Country: 10-11 Leadership Conferences 12 Their Stories Students Leading Everyday 13 SLS Retreat 13 SLS Ambassadors
Intro to Leadership Studies Class Leaders Story Sharing Stories: AHMI 2009 New Faculty and Staff K-State Volunteer Center Faculty and Staff Listing
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