Horizons Online Edition

Issue date: 2/24/06 Section: Diversions

Media Credit: Craig Dobbs Special guest Brenda Thomas shares the thoughts of famous leaders such as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Elie Wiesel and Pat Tilman.

Media Credit: Craig Dobbs Students, staff and faculty enjoy the food at the Diversity Dinner.

The Office of Student Activities and the campus Diversity Committee hosted a dinner on the evening of Feb. 7, 2006 promoting the necessity and importance of diversity. Held in the Lower Hangar, the dinner was attended by students, faculty, and administration, including Dean of Students Jim Kula and Chancellor Dan Carrell. The fourth annual dinner was catered by Chartwells and members of its staff.

During the buffet dinner, attendees socialized with one another, discussing their views on diversity. The tables were decorated in a variety of colors with an important or little-known fact about diversity at each seat.

The meal had an Italian theme, with vegetarian lasagna and chicken primavera serving as main courses. Salad and garlic bread completed the main meal, with slices of various pies as dessert.

The main focus of the evening was a presentation entitled "Follow the Leader" by Brenda Thomas. Thomas is the director of Arizona State University's Law, Leadership, and Management program.

In keeping with the theme of diversity, the presentation focused on leaders from various backgrounds, religions, and societies. Thomas shared experiences and thoughts from such famous leaders as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Elie Wiesel, and Pat Tilman. She stated that leaders are not always comfortable with their position in society, citing Tilman's desire to remain out of the spotlight.

Thomas began her presentation by pointing out that "children have an innate ability to determine who is a leader, for better or worse." According to Thomas, the games and activities that children play, such as "follow the leader" illustrate that from childhood we know what is required for a person to be a good leader, and when those necessary skills are not present in our current leader, we must find another to be in charge.

Using involvement from her audience, Thomas obtained a census of what qualities make a leader. She was careful to point out the distinction between leaders and heroes, saying that the two are not the same. Some of the qualities necessary for leadership, according to Thomas, are passion, courage, compassion, vision, and perseverance. During the presentation, she pointed out each trait exemplified through the actions of a specific leader in history.

To tie together all the leaders and characteristics mentioned in her presentation, Thomas asked the audience what they have in common with some of history's greatest leaders.

After individual comments, Thomas explained, "We all have everything in common: our destiny, our planet, and our humanity. We so often take [our lives] for granted."

Thomas referred to the importance of leaders and their huge contributions to their societies. She explained how such acts are a necessity in society, and that each person in the room values something that is worth fighting for, much as the most famous leaders in the past have.

Thomas ended her presentation by emphasizing, "This room is full of leaders and heroes; it only takes one person to touch one life."

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