Over the last several weeks, 5 Wake Forest business students have represented the school at service academy leadership conferences across the country. Various leadership themes were explored and discussed in depth at these service academy conferences, as evidenced by the impact upon our attendees. Several of these leadership themes included: empowerment, overcoming adversity, learning from failure, leading during conflict, and leading with honor.
In January, Cameron Kane represented Wake Forest at the US Naval Academy’s Leadership Conference. “I thoroughly enjoyed attending the Naval Academy Leadership Conference as I was able to meet new people while simultaneously learn from some of the most respected peers in our country” Cameron said. “Through the panel discussions and guest speakers, I was able to listen to their opinion on leadership through their own past and present actions. Not only will I personally build from the experience, but I believe it was one of the most intriguing events I have been to.”
The US Naval Academy’s conference has been held since 1984 and this year’s theme was Referent Leadership: Cultivating Relationships, Emphasizing the Importance for Leaders to Build and Sustain Relationships in an Interconnected World.
In February, Duke Antonelli and Kevin Ballerini attended the National Character & Leadership Symposium at the US Air Force Academy. In it’s 21st year, the USAF’s National Character and Leadership Symposium presented the theme of “Character Overcoming Conflict: Individual Stories, Global Impact”. Referencing his takeaways from the conference, Duke offered three important observations:
- Trust is something that is often lacking in the business world, but when present it can produce tremendous efficiency among a team.
- Complacency kills. Only you can hold yourself accountable in life and provide the drive to continue to change and better yourself.
- People often don’t put trust in one another, yet it is the force that allows people to get things accomplished in the most efficient way.
March was the Citadel’s Principled Leadership Symposium, and Wake Forest was represented by Kellie Geisel. For its 9th annual symposium, the theme was “Character, Courage, Community.” Kellie joined approximately 70 other student leaders from academic institutions and federal service academies. Kellie participated in talks and panel discussions about leadership during crisis and exhibiting courageous leadership.
The last leadership conference of the year was held at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Celine Olcott represented Wake at the 4th annual conference whose theme was “From Failure to Inspiration and Change.” Of this experience, Celine said, “The McDonald Cadet Leadership Conference was a life changing and eye opening, learning experience. It taught me to embrace failure as it is the best thing that can happen to you. It also provided me with so many new international friendships that I see continuing throughout my life.”
