Speakers tell students how to become better leaders over lunch

Emily Hendershot said walking the walk means doing the right thing.

The Grand Blanc junior and president of Colleges Against Cancer at CMU spoke to about 40 students, staff and faculty members Wednesday in Powers Hall for the Leadership Luncheon. The semi-annual event featured speakers from the American Cancer Society.

She said it is not right to say one is involved in the fight against cancer and not participate.

“Actions always speak louder than words,” Hendershot said. “It’s important to practice what you preach.”

The luncheon offered participants the ability to learn the key role leadership plays in nonprofit organizations.

“People don’t realize it, but nonprofit organizations require even more leadership than corporate organizations,” said Anna Osborn, who spoke on behalf of the American Cancer Society. “Since people working for you are not being paid, gratification has to be the driving force.”

Gratification is what motivated students to plan the event in the first place.

Saginaw sophomore Scott Konkol and Constantine sophomore Kelly Morse took on the responsibility of planning this semester’s luncheon series.

“I’m always looking for leadership opportunities and organizing an event like this is a great one,” Konkol said. “Not only does it make me realize how many people cancer affects, I now know there are ways for me to obtain leadership roles and do something about it.”

Dan Gaken, coordinator of student leadership development, said the best part of the luncheon series is the close setting that allows students, staff and faculty members in attendance to sit down and casually build a relationship.

Gaken helped oversee the students responsible for the success of the event.

“Society needs a next generation of leaders,” Gaken said. “That is the purpose of events like this – to help students get the professional development and leadership training that will help them advance in life.”

Students also were taught the three key characteristics every leader should possess: passion, devotion and confidence.

Midland senior Joel Berlin attended the event to see what kind of leadership opportunities were available for him and his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, to get involved in.

“I’ve learned that the leadership opportunities in non-profit organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, are the ones that really make a difference in people’s lives,” Berlin said.

Colleges Against Cancer is involved in organizing three main events to help its efforts in the fight against cancer, including the Relay for Life, which will take place in April.

The next luncheon in the “How to Be a Healthy Leader” series will take place Feb. 14.

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