The conference complements WLU’s School of Professional Studies’ adult degree completion program offering the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Organizational Leadership and Administration degree.

Thomas Michaud, Dean of the School of Professional Studies, explained that leadership development encompasses many different areas, issues and topics. Ultimately, he said, leadership begins with the character of the person who makes the sincere choice to actualize his or her potential in the best possible way.

To that end, Michaud has assembled a distinguished group of presenters from around the world to discuss the relationship of liberal arts studies and leadership.  Panelists will be speaking on topics as wide-ranging as socialism, entrepreneurship and the classical model of education.  Three representatives of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland, will share their unique perspectives, along with educators and business leaders from the Wheeling area and throughout the United States.

“This is an outstanding opportunity to explore the role of the liberal arts education in developing those individuals who will become the effective leaders of tomorrow in their professions and in their communities,” WLU President Robin C. Capehart said. He credits the liberal arts education he gained as an undergraduate for helping him develop the critical thinking skills needed for later endeavors.

Presenters and panelists include: Capehart; Stephen Bertucci, director of Great Books Online Programs for the Angelicum Academy, Tacoma, Wash.; Patrick S. J. Carmack, president and founder of the Angelicum Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Keeley Camden, dean of the College of Education at WLU; Imelda Chlodna, professor at John Paul II Catholic University, Poland; Kay Clawson, director of graduate studies at WLU; John Deely, professor of philosophy at University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas; Camille Donnelly, chief executive officer at Donnelly Leadership in Grand Rapids, Mich.; Dick Farley, Jr., journalist and consultant, Wheeling; Curtis Hancock, professor of philosophy at Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Mo.; A. Joseph Indelicato, president and founder of Caritas Consulting, Rochester, N.Y.; Piotr Jaroszynski, John Paul II Catholic University, Poland; Nikki Kacmarik, principal of Madison Elementary School, Wheeling; Anthony Koyzis, provost, WLU; Melinda Kreisberg, vice-provost and biology professor, WLU; Susan McGowan-Koyzis, dean, WLU Honors College; Kim Michaud, doctoral student and graduate researcher, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA; Thomas Michaud, WLU; John Minahan, owner of Working Media Group, Smyrna, Ga.; Peter Redpath, chairman of the board of the International Etienne Gilson Society, Tempe, Ariz.; Richard Riesbeck, president, Riesbeck’s Food Markets, Wheeling; Paul Tarasiewicz, John Paul II Catholic University, Poland; and Carrie White, Gary E. West College of Business at WLU.

WLU offers courses and degree programs in the School of Professional Studies at the Highlands Center specifically designed to serve adult students who need a flexible schedule, want evening or Saturday classes, need to use their previous college coursework even if it is several years old or can benefit from credit for work and life experience. For more information, call (304) 217-2800 or visit the website at www.westliberty.edu/highlands/.

• Monday, September 19th, 2011 at 4:00 PM
• Monday, October 10th, 2011 at 1:00 PM
• Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 at 1:00 PM

For more information about the MAT, please check out the Center for Student Success.