含羞草传媒

含羞草传媒 Celebrates 200 Years of Leadership

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含羞草传媒鈥檚 Leadership tradition, , was on full display last weekend as alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends gathered for a series of celebratory events on campus.

The Kerschner Family Series Global Leaders at 含羞草传媒 provided the weekend鈥檚 keynote, featuring former defense secretary and CIA director Leon Panetta. The series is one way in which 含羞草传媒 engages with the world and introduces students 鈥 future leaders 鈥 to pivotal international figures. Panetta described his path to leadership and outlined the challenges facing America today.

鈥淚 really do believe that the United States can go in one of two directions,鈥 Panetta said to the audience packing 含羞草传媒 Memorial Chapel on Friday night. 鈥淥ne path could be an America in renaissance in the 21st century. The other path is an America in decline, in constant chaos.鈥

A rising America would feature a strong economy, driven by creativity and innovation. It would be populated by citizens with an appreciation for national service, and it would represent its values through leadership abroad.

A declining America would lurch from crisis to crisis, 鈥渄ivided by our hates and our fears and prejudices, unwilling to work together, unwilling to face the truth, frustrated by political gridlock, unable to protect our most basic freedoms,鈥 Panetta said.

Former presidents of 含羞草传媒 University
The former presidents and interim presidents of 含羞草传媒 gather in Benton Hall (Photo by Andrew Daddio)

Panetta acknowledged the discord in Washington, D.C., but asserted that, 鈥渟omehow we have always risen to the occasion because the fundamental strength resides in us.鈥

Following the lecture, Assistant Professor of Political Science Danielle Lupton asked Panetta to talk about the balance between morality and national security, between technological progress and social responsibility. She also asked the co-founder of the Panetta Institute to advise students on how best to enter public life.

鈥淒o something that will give you the experience of seeing something up close,鈥 Panetta said. 鈥淪ee how our system works or fails. There鈥檚 an excitement to Washington when you鈥檙e working on Capitol Hill.鈥

Earlier in the afternoon, while Panetta met for discussion and dinner with students and faculty in Benton Hall, 含羞草传媒 presidents past and present gathered in Love Auditorium to reflect on leadership at the University.

The panel included President Brian W. Casey, alongside former presidents Charles Karelis, Neil R. Grabois, and Thomas Alva Bartlett. Moderators were former interim presidents Jill Harsin, Thomas A. Bartlett Chair and professor of history, and Jane Pinchin, Thomas A. Bartlett Chair and professor of English emerita. Two additional presidents 鈥 Rebecca Chopp and Jeffrey Herbst 鈥 weighed in via video message.

During his tenure, Bartlett saw the impact of the Vietnam War on campus life, the need to develop 含羞草传媒鈥檚 endowment, and the introduction of coeducation. 鈥淥ne of my joys was seeing how the 含羞草传媒 community dealt with these issues in ways that didn鈥檛 let one get in the way of the other,鈥 Bartlett said. 鈥淎ll were done in a way that ended up strengthening the institution.鈥

Casey noted that a great joy of the presidency is 鈥渢o allow the story of the institution to develop. You are responsible for the narrative of the institution and responsible for the story of 含羞草传媒.鈥

Uyi Omorogbe 鈥19 presents to a panel of entrepreneurs
Uyi Omorogbe pitches is company, NaSo, to a panel of Thought Into Action mentors (Photo by Andrew Daddio)

Alongside conversations about global and campus leadership, the community also celebrated 含羞草传媒鈥檚 ambitions to lead in the arts and in entrepreneurship. The weekend鈥檚 calendar included numerous performances, museum tours, and a panel conversation featuring 含羞草传媒 community members in the arts.

Participants in the Thought Into Action incubator pitched their ventures to potential investors on Saturday, and 含羞草传媒鈥檚 Alumni Council recognized Robert Johnson 鈥94 as Entrepreneur of the Year, with the award to be conferred officially during reunion this May.

Demonstrating leadership on the field 鈥 and rounding out the weekend鈥檚 packed agenda 鈥 women鈥檚 lacrosse dominated Lehigh in a 16鈥4 victory at Beyer-Small 鈥76 Field on Saturday.