Insight Magazine | Spring 2015

INSIGHT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA COLLEGE OF LIBERAL STUDIES

m ag az ine

SP R I NG

2015

- Volume 1 2, Issue 1

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

Leader and Follower I NS I G H T M AG AZ I NE | S P R I NG 2 0 1 5

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100% ONLINE Bachelor and Master Degrees C L S.OU.E D U for more information

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IN THIS ISSUE INSIGHT | SPRING 2015

ON THE COVER

Features

Inside CLS

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Web Tutorials, Lynda, The University and You

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What is the Cloud?

A Technology Review

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Martin Luther King Jr. Leader and Follower

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Winter 2014 Banner Carrier: Latoya Groves

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What is this Thing Called Leadership?

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Outstanding Senior Kimberly Mahoney

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In Memoriam: John Goodlad and Elliot Eisner

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Martin Luther King Jr. CLS Dean Emeritus and longtime ethnic diversity advocate George Henderson discusses what made Martin Luther King Jr. a great leader then and now.

Book Review: Developing the Leaders Around You

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Program Highlight: Administrative Leadership

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Movie Review: Fargo

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Rite of Passage: Winter 2014 Convocation

In Every Issue 02

The Dean’s Insight

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News Briefs

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Convocation Highlights

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Events and Occasions: Tailgate Party

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Staff Profile: John Boekenoogen

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Staff Highlight:

For more exclusive content visit CLSBLOG.OU.EDU

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The Dean’s

Insight

By James P. Pappas, Ph.D.

LEA D E R SH I P AN D L E A R NI NG A R E I ND I S P E NSABL E TO E ACH OT HE R .

V

iew any current events website, blog or news

tive Leadership (MAAL) and a Graduate Certificate in Administrative

magazine, and you will discover no shortage

Leadership. Each of these programs helps students develop commu-

of troublesome issues facing humankind.

War, religious extremism, economic calamities, disease outbreaks, environmental concerns and many other complex problems seem to have joined death and taxes as today’s certainties. As a result, ours is a world hungry for leaders willing to step up and address these problems. In virtually every realm of society—from politics to business, from healthcare to media, from technology to social services—many individuals come forward claiming to be leaders with answers, but all too

nication, strategic planning, analytical and project/team management skills that are essential for professionals seeking a competitive advantage in the workplace. Students in these programs are exposed to real-world strategic methods and thinking and gain insights from the interdisciplinary approach pioneered by the college. This means they do not simply learn academic theories about leadership but they actually engage in pragmatic scholarship that finds application to the kinds of interdisciplinary issues and problems they will encounter in the “outside world.”

Beyond CLS, University Outreach offers other programs bearing the word “leadership.” To me, this signifies that our organization puts a lot of stock in the concept of leadership, in its importance in today’s

often we discover their qualifications lacking and their

world and in our ability to provide expertise in this area. With this

vision limited. However, it is reassuring that the Uni-

issue of Insight focusing on leadership, it seems appropriate to discuss

versity of Oklahoma has produced numerous highly capable leaders over the course of more than 100 years.

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—John F. Kennedy

these programs and our commitment to leadership development.

UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP DEGREES

The College of Liberal Studies offers two degree programs and one

Both the CLS undergraduate and the graduate degrees in admin-

certificate program focusing on leadership: a Bachelor of Arts in

istrative leadership are fast paced programs particularly designed

Administrative Leadership (BAAL), a Master of Arts in Administra-

to accommodate working adults. These programs have remarkable

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application in a variety of settings, whether corporate, nonprofit,

customized noncredit leadership programs to meet organizational

military, social service or other. Further, they help students under-

needs. Annually, CPM supports the Adult and Family Services Lead-

stand and gain knowledge of leadership competencies. Also, these

ership Conference, the Child Welfare Services Leadership Conference

programs reflect the interdisciplinary nature of leadership, draw-

and the Oklahoma Women’s Leadership Conference. Other customized

ing on such disciplines as management, psychology, sociology and

leadership programs include the Legal Leadership Institute for DHS

other areas.

Child Support Services and the new DHS LeadUP program. LeadUP is a 10-month leadership development program to develop individ-

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP PH.D.

ual leadership attributes and capabilities. LeadUP offers a series of

As of FY 2014, 82 students have completed their Doctorate in Orga-

five intensive face-to-face sessions focused on authentic leadership,

nizational Leadership through Outreach. This program, offered

organizational change, organizational culture, building resonant

through Advanced Programs, originated in 1996 in collaboration

teams and leadership coaching skills. The program also includes

with academic departments and the OU Graduate College. A unique,

blended learning components such as a 360-degree assessment, an

nontraditional doctoral program, it is offered exclusively in Europe

online personal development tool, capstone projects, cohort learning

primarily for military personnel and provides an interdisciplinary

groups, mentoring and an online learning community to promote

approach to the study of the topics, theories and research critical to

collaboration and sharing of leadership best practices.

the professional success of leaders in different organizational settings. It is a research-based degree program that prepares students

SUCCESS STORIES OF OUR GRADUATES

to contribute, through their scholarly work, to the body of knowledge

We love to hear about the success of our graduates. Graduates of the

and theoretical foundations of their chosen disciplines and apply this

College of Liberal Studies and Advanced Programs are succeeding in

knowledge in the workplace.

a variety of leadership roles in a variety of settings:

Faculty members teaching in this program are internationally rec-

• Pamela Ballard (Bachelor of Arts in Administrative Leadership

ognized and travel to Europe to teach each of the courses. The program has been established as a cohort model and the value of this model is apparent when students support one another in their pur-

[BAAL]) currently serves as executive director of the United Way of Enid and Northwest Oklahoma.

• Jennifer Berry Gooden (Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies [BALS])

suit of the Ph.D. The ultimate success of any Ph.D. program depends

became Miss America in 2006 and founded Jennifer Berry, Inc.

on how successful it is in training scholars—specifically research

• Laura Johnson (Master of Arts in Administrative Leadership [MAAL])

scholars. The OU cohort model has a proven record of success. The

is professor of art history at the University of Tulsa and directed

high rate of cohort and faculty interaction has contributed to the

the Gilcrease-Palazzo Pitti Project in Florence, Italy.

scholarly development of the students within each cohort and has

• Dr. Jerry Ledlow (Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership [OL]) is a pro-

provided one of the highest graduation rates among OU graduate

fessor at Georgia Southern University and owner of New Visions

training programs.

Network.

• Jeannie McDaniel (BALS) has served in the Oklahoma House of

The design of the program allows students to explore a variety of relevant fields and then to apply each field to their areas of inter-

Representatives since her election in 2005, and she has served as Assistant Minority Floor Leader.

est. For example, students may focus their applications on public

• Dr. Eric Morrison (OL) is associate professor at the Command

and private organizations, educational administration, curriculum

and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and

development, organizational administration, public administration,

directs the National Center for Research and Practice, Military

human resource management or other areas of personal and professional interest.

and Veteran Psychology.

• Joel Spangenberg (MAAL) is one of the top executives in the U.S. Selective Service System, the federal agency charged with

CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE

providing personnel to the Department of Defense in the event of

In the noncredit arena, Outreach recently launched the Center for

national emergencies.

Leadership Excellence, directed by Dr. Paul Dyer. The center’s primary goal is to improve the performance of leaders. It does this

There are so many other examples of how graduates of our programs

through a set of four core programs (Leading the Enterprise, Leading

have gone on to attain significant leadership positions in a variety

from the Inside Out, Program for Effective Leadership and Founda-

of public and private areas. Witnessing their success is gratifying

tions for Effective Leadership) and two skill development programs

to all of us involved in the College of Liberal Studies and University

(The Emotional Leader and Coach, Mentor and Leader). In addition,

Outreach and we are encouraged that their leadership is backed by

two credit certificate programs (The Information Technology Leader

strong academic programs.

and The Oil and Gas Leader) are available. The center takes the best thinking in leadership development theory and research coupled with significant real-world experience to help transform leaders, the teams they lead and the organizations they serve.

James P. Pappas, Ph.D.

CENTER FOR PUBLIC MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES

Vice President for Outreach and

Outreach’s Center for Public Management (CPM) partners with the

Dean, College of Liberal Studies

Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) to offer a variety of

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NEWS BRIEFS

SPR I N G 201 5 | VOLUME 1 2 , ISSU E 1

For Alumni, Students and Friends DEAN James P. Pappas, Ph.D. ASSOCIATE DEAN Martha Banz, Ph.D. EDITOR John Huggins CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Paul Dyer, Ph.D. Ashley Geary Ed Harris, Ph.D. COURTESY OF STEVE GULLBERG

George Henderson, Ph.D.

CLS GRADUATE AND INSTRUCTOR CONSIDERED FOR INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION

John Huggins Jerry Jerman Catherine Kerley Jeff Roby Mary Wuestewald DESIGN & LAYOUT Traci Fuller

Steve Gullberg, renowned archaeoastronomer and CLS instructor, is being considered for

PRINTER

membership in the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

University Printing Services

The IAU is a group of astronomers whose mission is to promote and safeguard the science of

ON THE COVER

astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation. The group oversees worldwide astronomy, defines astronomical constants and designates names for new discoveries. It also decided that Pluto was no longer a planet.

Photo by George Conklin Insight is published by:

Gullberg’s Ph.D. in astronomy made him eligible for consideration, but it was his research

The University of Oklahoma

in archaeoastronomy that made him of particular interest to the IAU. A growing field,

College of Liberal Studies

archaeoastronomy studies how ancient societies understood the phenomena in the sky, as

McCarter Hall • 1610 Asp Avenue

well as the role it played in their cultures.

Norman, OK 73072-6405

If accepted, “I hope to be assigned to the working groups regarding archaeoastronomy, stellar and planetary astronomy, planetary satellites and the study of comets,” Gullberg said.

CLS.OU.EDU Gullberg’s work was recently featured in Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry. He has also submitted a paper for the Sophia Center Press in Wales, and is working on another to be published by the University Press of Colorado. He looks forward to attending conferences in Honolulu and Rome this year.

opportunity institution.

The U.S. National Committee (USNC) for IAU vetted and recommended Gullberg for the

Printed and distributed at no cost

membership. The IAU is now reviewing recommendations from around the world and will

to Oklahoma taxpayers.

admit new members at the General Assembly this August.

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The University of Oklahoma is an equal

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CLS WELCOMES FUTURE STUDENT SERVICES ADVISOR The College of Liberal Studies welcomed another member to its team early this year. In February, LaDawn Lee Jones became the newest addition to CLS as the future student services advisor.

At CLS, Jones works as a liaison between Advising, Future Student Services and Records and Registration. She also lends a hand in several local recruiting initiatives. She plans to continue the CLS tradition of helping its students succeed and offers unique insight into the needs of its students.

Before joining CLS, Jones spent 10 years working as an office manager and training representative while pursuing her education. She received her bachelor’s degree from CLS in 2011 before earning her Master of Human Relations in 2012.

Her extensive customer service experience and passion for assisting future students made her a perfect fit for CLS and its mission. As a graduate of the college herself, she knows what a difference its programs can make in the lives of its students.

“I am a champion for CLS,” she said. “I believe in the program. It changed my life, making me confident and proud after years of slogging through community college, changing my major over and over again. It’s a perfect fit and I could not be more honored to be a part of this team.”

CLS INSTRUCTOR JOINS SECOND SUNDAY POETRY SERIES The work of Jennifer Kidney, freelance scholar, poet and adjunct faculty for the College of Liberal Studies, was presented this spring as part of the Second Sunday Poetry Series.

The Second Sunday Poetry Series is a program of The Depot in Norman that provides a monthly venue for notable poets of the region to present their work. It is hosted by Carl Sennhenn, the Oklahoma poet laureate, and is made possible by a grant from the Norman Arts Council.

Kidney chose her most recent work for the reading. Published by Village Books Press in 2012, Road Work Ahead is a collection of poems about the many roads taken throughout life.

Kidney has twice been nominated for Oklahoma poet laureate–once by the Oklahoma Library Association and again by the Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library.

She is the author of six books of poetry and is currently working on her seventh. Her poetry has appeared in numerous journals and magazines, including Sugar Mule, Crosstimbers, Picking Up the Tempo, Kudzu, The Seattle Review, Malpais Review and The Bellingham Review.

Kidney earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Oberlin College and a master of philosophy and doctorate degree in English from Yale University. She has more than 20 years’ experience in university-level teaching and has worked as a technical writer, arts administrator and poet.

WE WELCOME YOUR EMAILS. Emails should refer to material published in the magazine and include the writer’s full name, address and telephone number. CLS alumni please include degree and year of degree. The editor reserves the right to determine the suitability of stories for publication and to edit them for accuracy and length.

Send stories to jhuggins@ou.edu.

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NEWS BRIEFS continued CLS GRAD ACCEPTS POSITION IN QUALITY OF LIFE SERVICE CLS graduate, Sarah Pagliasotti, recently accepted a position as the Human Resources Manager for the Sodexo Education Division with Norman Public Schools (NPS). In this new role, she performs HR duties including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, employee recognition and several additional initiatives for custodial and food service employees at the 24 NPS locations.

“I truly enjoy almost every aspect of my position with Sodexo,” she said. “The employee interaction is wonderful and the opportunity to be a part of such a growing company is exciting. This position is the exact reason I wanted to go back to school to finish my degree.”

Pagliasotti’s move to quality of life service was made possible by hard work and personal dedication during her time at CLS. After three years with Texas Workforce, Pagliasotti had decided that it was time for a change.

“My mom was always that little voice in my ear reminding me that a degree was invaluable,” she said. “More than just a credential, she believed that a degree was the best thing someone could do for their self esteem. She made me understand that getting a degree was about the experiences I would have during the journey and about all of the information that would enrich my thought processes for the rest of my life. She was so right.”

Sodexo is the 18th largest employer worldwide and operates in 80 countries to provide quality of life services to more than 75 million consumers around the globe. Sodexo’s mission is to improve the quality of life of all the people it serves and contribute to the economic, social and environmental development of the cities, regions and countries where it operates.

NEW RECRUITMENT SPECIALIST JOINS FSS TEAM The College of Liberal Studies welcomed a new member to its future student services team this year. Kasey Moore became the latest addition to the CLS family as a recruitment specialist in April.

At CLS, Moore recruits new students for the college, focusing on military and law enforcement in particular. His time is spent speaking with potential students, answering questions, informing them of unique opportunities CLS provides, helping them through the application process and offering additional support throughout the admissions process.

Before working with CLS, Moore worked at Arvest Bank as a Deposit Loss Prevention Analyst.

He currently serves in the Oklahoma Army National Guard as a military intelligence officer, and as the Brigade Asst. S-2 for the 45th Fires Brigade. He received his bachelor’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in criminology from OU’s College of Arts and Sciences.

His military and academic experience make him a perfect fit for CLS and its commitment to providing educational opportunities to military students. His higher education knowledge and skills provide him unique insight into the lives of students who serve.

“I see an awesome opportunity specializing in military and law enforcement because it’s a culture that I know, love and deeply care for,” he said. “It lends well to the responsibilities of my position here. I always knew I wanted to work for OU and I knew there was no better way to show my school pride than on the frontlines recruiting for the university.”

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CLS STAFF RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING DEDICATION Staff members Daniel Casey, Sena Golden, Michelle Shults and Jennifer Gatlin were recognized for their outstanding dedication and contributions to CLS at the 2015 State of Outreach Conference in February.

Military Student Advisor Daniel Casey was recognized with an Award of Merit – Series I for streamlining and improving the military processes for meeting the regulatory requirements for CLS military students. Casey was also noted for going above and beyond in seeking out possible military credits that could be applied to the degree. CLS has seen a significant increase in military graduates since he joined the advising team and due to Casey’s superior performance of duty and dedication to the mission of the College, 95 military men and women now call themselves Sooner alumni.

Several CLS staff members gather after the 2015 State of Outreach Conference. From left:

Sena Golden was recognized with an Award of Merit – Series II for exemplary performance

Dr. Martha Banz, Lindsey Gunderson, Frank

of her job duties in Accounting and Reconciliations as well as the CLS travel coordinator.

Rodriquez, award winner Jennifer Gatlin, award

Golden has been credited with perpetually finding ways to save time and increase produc-

winner Sena Golden, Janet Miller, award winner

tivity for CLS and is well known for her proactive ability to solve problems. Golden’s ded-

Daniel Casey and award winner Michelle Shults.

ication to every task she undertakes creates an impressive and positive reflection of CLS. Michelle Shults, coordinator of CLS Advisement Services, and Jennifer Gatlin, CLS undergraduate programs advisor, were recognized with the annual Outreach Innovation Award for their hard work in creating the OU-CLS Virtual Student Union (VSU) Facebook group.

The intention of the VSU was to create a way for CLS students to experience the kind of personal interaction with advisors and each other that was enjoyed by students who were physically on campus. The VSU has been very successful with an active student user base.

VIRTUAL STUDENT UNION FACEBOOK GROUP A SUCCESS The OU-CLS Virtual Student Union Facebook group was launched last August and has had great success in engaging current CLS students. There are more than 396 active members in the group, with new requests coming in every week. Students now have a place to come together and have a sounding board for the rigors of student life as they make progress toward their degree. Academic advisors are active in the group and help provide important two-way communication in a convenient place.

“It has been an incredible experience to watch it grow, and to have the opportunity to engage our student body. We have every confidence that the group will continue to thrive and evolve as the student body cycles through CLS each year,” said Academic Advisor and primary group moderator Jennifer Gatlin.

One of the most notable developments in the group has been the Pay It Forward Initiative that the students have implemented themselves. As students complete their courses, many will offer their textbooks free of charge on a first-come-first-serve basis, with the only request being that the student receiving their textbooks will do the same for subsequent students in the future.

“It is a true testament to the caliber of student that we have in our college that this would just naturally come to be,” Gatlin said. “This group has evolved into a true support system for a lot of our students and brought new life to CLS – by sharing stories, lifting each other, venting frustrations and pushing each other to strive for academic success. This initiative has brought the vision of what CLS can do for people into sharp focus, and it’s beautiful.”

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NEWS BRIEFS continued

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n spring of 2015, three awards were given to CLS instructors in honor of their dedication to student success. Please join us in celebrating the work of these inspiring educators!

BRYAN COPPEDGE, PH.D. – Superior Teaching Award Bryan Coppedge (left) received the Superior Teaching Award at the ceremony, an honor

ROB TURNER - Rufus Hall Outstanding Professor Award

reserved for those who have demonstrated superior and excellent teaching. Recipients of

Rob Turner (right) received the Rufus Hall

the award exemplify the goals and purposes of the College of Liberal Studies, including the

Outstanding Professor Award for 2014. This

pursuit of interdisciplinary, liberal learning.

distinguished award goes to instructors who show exemplary commitment to their disci-

Coppedge was nominated by a former student who found him to be an incredible leader in

pline and to their students.

the sciences. In particular, she was impressed by his ability to teach effectively in an online environment and his dedication and willingness to provide the best possible learning envi-

The student who nominated him, one of

ronment for his students.

Turner’s former pupils, praised his impressive breadth of knowledge and willingness

“Because there is automatically a communication disadvantage [when there is no face-to-

to assist his students. His courses are known

face interaction], it becomes imperative for the educator to establish a line of communication

to provide students with challenging and

between himself and the students. Professor Coppedge does this with ease,” she said. “He

inspiring opportunities to use their critical

has created a learning environment where students are able to communicate with him elec-

thinking skills. “He was a great teacher,” the

tronically and have daily dialogue about the subject matter, course material relevance and

student explained.

academic progress. He interacts daily with his students so they have the best possible chance at success. I’ve taken numerous courses online and he stands out amongst his peers in his willingness to make himself available with such ease and regularity. It is truly remarkable to have a professor who will respond back daily to questions and grading assignments.”

JENNIFER KIDNEY, PH.D. - Kenneth E. Cook Faculty Achievement Award Dr. Jennifer Kidney (center) received the Kenneth E. Cook Faculty Achievement Award, a prestigious honor that recognizes excellence in teaching. A student from Kidney’s Interdisciplinary Foundations course nominated her for the award.

“Dr. Kidney’s class was the most challenging of all academic and military courses I had ever taken, but she made it clear that her standard would remain consistent,” he said. “Her course was challenging and she was more than approachable. We talked on several Saturdays about my writing and the course material. I have used an aspect of what she taught me in every course I have taken.”

Dr. Kidney has also been recognized locally for her writing talents and is a contributor to the Second Sunday Poetry Series at The Depot in Norman.

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OSHER SCHOLARSHIP

T

he College of Liberal Studies awarded 15 students a total of $22,110.50 in spring semester scholarships as part of the Osher Reentry Scholarship Program. Students who have experienced an interruption in their edu-

cation of at least five years and who were working toward their first undergraduate degrees were eligible. While this scholarship is coordinated by CLS, all eligible OU undergraduates could apply.

The Osher Reentry Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students ages 25 to 50 who are enrolled in the college’s on-site or hybrid classes offered at any OU site, including OU-Norman, OU-Tulsa, Oklahoma City Community College, Rose State College, Ponca City and Lawton/Ft. Sill. More than $313,000 in Osher scholarships have been given since the program began in 2008.

Spring 2015 Osher Recipients: STEPHEN BRITTON

RACHELE ESKRIDGE

URIAH NICHOLS

JASON STEPHENSON

STEFANIE COX

RANDI HALEY

MARISSA NORMAN

TAMARA TILLMAN

JAMES CURTIN

MEADOW HAZELHOFF

LINDSAY ROLAND

KEVIN WOODRUFF

LAURA DAVIS

DANIEL JOBE

LAURA SNEDEN

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THOMAS NELSON

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BOOK REVIEW

DEVELOPING THE LEADERS AROUND YOU How to Help Others Reach Their Full Potential

By Jeff Roby John C. Maxwell, Developing the Leaders Around You: How to Help Others Reach Their Full Potential. Thomas Nelson, 2005.

A

s CLS marketing director, I spend a lot of my time trying to improve my leadership skills. My goal is constantly to find new ways to help my team become the best they can be. In my search for new resources, I recently came across a book I would like to share with Insight readers—Developing the

Leaders around You: How to Help Others Reach Their Full Potential.

This book impressed me in many ways. Not only is it quite insight-

The first thing a leader should do is assess the needs and attitudes

ful, but it is a learning tool that can be used to build leadership

of candidates. Maxwell then delves into an assessment of current

skills. As the title suggests, this book focuses on the most important

leadership qualities. The assessment is a series of attributes with a

factor in leadership; how to recognize and develop leaders. It also

scale. This final number could offer a little insight into whether or

emphasizes making this factor a lifelong commitment that can have

not one is a great leader or needs a further growth.

lasting effects on producing leaders for generations to come.

Maxwell focuses on nurturing and developing potential leaders, This book’s chapters range from rising up and creating a climate for

but I don’t want to ruin the surprise. One of my favorite chapters

potential leaders, to realizing leaders’ value. A leader’s key question

is coaching a “dream team” of leaders. If all sports teams need a

should be, “Am I raising potential leaders?” People who oversee

coach, corporate teams are no different. Leaders need to choose

others must be responsible for appreciating them, believing they

great players and coaching can make a difference in succeeding. A

will do their best, praising them for accomplishments and, yes, ac-

dream coach constantly communicates the game plan, takes time

cepting responsibility for them as their leader. Each situation and

to huddle and knows what the players prefer. A dream coach also

sector is different, but these examples will provide a good frame-

excels in problem solving and providing needed support for success.

work to learn and grow.

The coach must involve others as much as possible in key decisions.

Again, the players are the experts and they should decide how jobs

A true leader knows he or she cannot do it alone. Further, it takes

will be accomplished. Great coaches give plenty of affirmation and

a leader with vision to see the future leader within a person. The

the players respond accordingly.

leader should look for qualities such as positivity, growth potential, loyalty and gratitude, just to name a few. If the leader finds just one

This chapter is important to me because players should be included

of these attributes, he or she should give 100 percent encouragement

and feel they are the best to complete tasks at hand. Coaching is

to that one attribute. From that point, the leader should then place

a huge part of developing potential leaders and they can pass this

emphasis on production and not on position and title.

same mindset on to others. And, let’s not forget, a dream coach continues to win.

My team is our team. In our team, each individual is the expert with his or her duties; however, we all collaborate with future respon-

Maxwell not only discusses developing potential leaders but helps

sibilities. Maxwell describes it best; “True direction for an organi-

the reader realize his or her own potential. If you are looking for a

zation is born with a vision. It begins when the leader accepts it. It

new paradigm for developing a team, and developing yourself as a

gains acceptance when the leader models it. And it becomes reality

leader, check out Developing the Leaders Around You.

when the people respond to it.”

Jeff Roby is the Director of Marketing and an adjunct faculty member for The leader’s primary responsibility is identifying potential leaders.

the College of Liberal Studies. He is a Coaches Training Institute (CTI)

The more positive qualities a leader looks for, the more he or she

Co-Active certified business coach and has worked with CLS staff and

will find. This is not an easy job, but very necessary to build future

various parts of the Norman community in coaching activities.

success of the team and organization as a whole.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

Administrative Leadership Encouraging Better Leaders

By Mary Wuestewald

THE GR E AT E ST LE A D E R I S NOT NEC E S SA R ILY T HE ON E WHO D OE S T HE G R E AT E ST T HINGS. HE I S T H E ON E TH AT G ETS T H E P EO P L E TO D O T HE G R E AT E ST T HING S. —Ronald Reagan

F

ew things are more important to organizational success than leadership. Leaders are people who set direction, guide followers toward an inspiring vision and create something new. They help us visualize what might be achieved if our efforts are combined. Leaders provide guidance, direction and control—

sets of actions that lead a group of people or an organization to success. Without these actions, organizations can quickly dissolve into conflict, with each person following a separate path or implementing a different solution to a shared problem. Leadership keeps us moving in the same direction and working toward a common goal.

Earning advanced degrees and certifications on the topic enhances

fective leadership helps our country triumph in times of adversity,

higher-level leadership development. Attending and participating

enables organizations to fulfill their missions and helps businesses

in leadership conferences, guiding other leaders and closely ob-

achieve success. The absence of good leaders does just the opposite,

serving the behaviors of competitors will help one on the journey

however. Without leadership, organizations grow confused, stagnate

to the most effective leadership. That’s why the College of Liberal

and, ultimately, fail. To safeguard against this, organizations in a

Studies is proud to be home to two degrees that offer comprehensive

modern setting must address many challenges by employing people

education in Administrative Leadership that can be completed 100

who are capable of guiding, directing or controlling their followers

percent online.

effectively. Most importantly, these individuals must also have the skill set to drive others toward a common good and build upon the

OF GLOBAL IMPORTANCE

skills of the people they lead.

Leadership continues to be a popular topic in circles of govern-

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ment, business, religion, education and family life—and for good

The question of how to develop these skills is often prompted by

reason! We live in a global world that is constantly changing. Ef-

where great leadership is taking place today. Some would argue that

I N S I G HT MAGAZ I N E | SPR IN G 2 0 1 5

I NS I DE C L S | P ROGR A M H I G H LI G H T

perhaps we no longer have leaders of the same caliber as Abraham

followers tick. Using real-world strategic methods and thinking,

Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., or Ronald Reagan. A more likely

students are taught how to approach challenges from multiple per-

complication, however, lies within the nature of the world itself.

spectives.

The society we live in today is much more complex than it once was, making effective leadership a more challenging task than it

Learning crucial skills before jumping into a leadership role allows

immediately appears. Leaders must consider a multitude of factors

students to save time and avoid costly mistakes. CLS military advi-

when making decisions for others, and there often isn’t a clear line

sor, Daniel Casey, attests to how valuable this can be.

between right and wrong.

“There are a lot of things in leadership theory that are scientifically To lead effectively, true leaders leave nothing up to chance. They do

proven, and every one of our courses is based upon solid academic

not assume that their way is the only—or even the most correct—

research,” he said. “Take conflict resolution, for example. There

way of doing things. They are open to suggestion and enthusias-

is more than one way to resolve or identify a conflict. Rather than

tically accept teaching that can help them develop behaviors that

learning 100 ways not to resolve a conflict effectively, you’re pre-

will help their followers and businesses grow. Leaders understand

sented with the tools to learn conflict resolution before we ask you

that refining their skills is a process that could very well continue

to apply it.”

throughout the course of their lives.

DEVELOPING REAL-WORLD SKILLS Trent Gabert, Associate Dean Emeritus of CLS, knows this well.

For those who believe that the best way to learn leadership is simply to dive in headfirst, the internship component of the program

“No one is ever a finished leader, nor is the work of the leader ever

offers college credit for hands-on experience. While not required

finished,” he said. “Leadership is a continuously developing process

for degree completion, gaining real-world experience is strongly

and adapting to change is a necessity of every leader.”

encouraged by CLS advisors. Casey believes that internships are the best way to apply fundamental principles gained in leadership ed-

APPLYING FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE

ucation to the real world.

Being able to determine these factors is just one area that CLS’s Administrative Leadership programs emphasize. The bachelor’s and

“It allows the student to take the theory that they’ve already learned

master’s degree programs feature a blend of theoretical foundation

and apply it to a real-world situation,” he said. “That’s really how

and practical application that, together, prepare students for myriad

you take the theory and blend it in with the practice.”

challenges faced by leaders today.

The goals of CLS’s Administrative Leadership programs are quite These degrees help students develop the communication, strategic

simple. We want to empower our students to become better leaders

planning, analytical, project and team management skills that are

and to learn how to inspire others to do the same. We do this by

essential for professionals seeking a competitive advantage in the

giving them the practical knowledge and theoretical foundations

workplace. Core areas of the program include ethics, management,

necessary to grow in their fields, and as people. Our graduates will

motivation, goal setting, conflict resolution and several organiza-

thrive as leaders in a complex world, ready to take on any challenge

tion-focused initiatives designed to teach students what makes their

that comes their way.

I NS I G H T M AG AZ I NE | S P R I NG 2 0 1 5

15

Web Tutorials, Lynda, the University and You

interactive and detailed than learning from traditional textbooks or lectures. An added bonus is that tutorials allow users to search

By Mary Wuestewald

T

for solutions that are specific to their individual needs, helping to eliminate the need

he College of Liberal Studies prides itself on attracting and producing the highest caliber of lifelong learners, individuals who are dedicated to the “ongoing, voluntary and self-motivated� pursuit

of knowledge throughout the course of their lives. This year, the University of Oklahoma has been lucky enough to enter into a partnership with lynda. com that might make the learning process a little bit easier.

to rifle through unnecessary content in the search for useful information about a particular problem.

LYNDA AT OU Seth Hartman, User Interface & User Experience Designer for OU IT and the individual primarily responsible for bringing lynda to OU, became interested in web tutorials long

Lynda.com is an online learning company

Tutorials like those offered by lynda are

before he began working at the university. As

that provides tutorials for people looking to

particularly useful for people wanting to

a college graduate entering the workforce in

become more knowledgeable in the fields

develop or hone a skill set without deplet-

the midst of a struggling economy, he per-

of business, software, technology and cre-

ing their savings accounts in the process.

sonally used this method to widen his own

ativity. Subscribers gain access to a mas-

Widely available online or through formal-

field of expertise. Years later, he committed

sive video library of engaging, top-quality

ized educational programs, tutorials offer

himself to making the same technology eas-

courses taught by industry experts.

topic-focused instruction that is often more

ily available to students at the university.

3D + ANIMA TION 271 COURSES

16

AUDIO + MUSIC 171 COURSES

I N S I G HT MAGAZ I N E | SPR IN G 2 0 1 5

BUSINESS 728 COURSES

CAD 161 COURSES

DESIGN 567 COURSES

DEVELOPER 373 COURSES

F E AT U RE | LYN DA .CO M

“With the advent of e-learning and my

for which the university is known—for no

It is clear that the utility of web tutorials is

own experiences both in school and as a

additional expense. As an institution com-

not currently confined to a university set-

staff member at OU, I realized how help-

mitted to cultivating students who are both

ting, and this fact is only going to become

ful it would be to have an online learning

theoretically knowledgeable and practically

more obvious as new technologies develop.

system for faculty, staff and students,” he

talented, OU has certainly raised the bar.

Already, this method of learning is becom-

said. “Lynda.com has had a tremendous

ing more valuable for people in the real

impact on my own career, and I believed it

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

world because they face real-time chal-

would benefit others at OU if we could pro-

If you’re asking yourself, “How does this

lenges on a daily basis without the resources

vide an opportunity for them to utilize it.

apply to me?” you’re not alone. Many people

or safety net that access to a dedicated pro-

Since lynda.com offers software training for

cease seeking new information the moment

fessor provides. As the technology contin-

a variety of skill levels—from undergrad-

they walk across the stage at graduation.

ues to develop, people will begin to look to

uate to adult professional development—it

In today’s rapidly changing world, how-

resources like these to help them solve real-

is a perfect fit for a university setting. It

ever, this will very soon cease to be a viable

world problems, to become more adept at

can help individuals develop their skills

option. In many ways, the ability to adapt

their jobs and to create order in the ever-in-

and careers without them having to incur a

to new ways of producing work is becom-

creasing chaos of the modern marketplace.

financial burden.”

ing just as important as learning it in the first place. In some cases, adaptation is even

Whatever the future holds, one thing is cer-

This means that OU’s student body has the

more important, particularly for those whose

tain; lifelong learning has become a little

opportunity to explore and develop inter-

work involves the application of technology.

easier for everyone.

ests outside of the classroom in addition to

“We’re just going to keep things the way

receiving the excellent traditional instruction

they are,” said no software company, ever.

EDUCATION 127 COURSES

IT 204 COURSES

MARKETING

PHOTOGRAPHY

85 COURSES

510 COURSES

VIDEO 498 COURSES

WEB 637 COURSES

I NS I G H T M AG AZ I NE | S P R I NG 2 0 1 5

17

John Phillips STUDENT PROFILE

Applying Effort to Knowledge

A

By Catherine Kerley

s an Aviation Maintenance Administra-

surprise. Each time I reenlisted, the educational benefits—which

tionman 1st Class (AW1) for the U.S. Navy

far exceed those offered in most civilian employment—became a

Blue Angels, John Phillips knows the value

of a sailor’s motivation for self-improvement.

reinforcing factor for staying in.”

NCPACE, one of several programs offered by Navy Voluntary Education (VOLED), is available to officers and enlisted sailors assigned to

When Phillips was close to completing his undergraduate degree,

ships and deployable commands (Type 2 and 4 duty). This provides

he began to think of finding a master’s program. Emboldened by

them with undergraduate and graduate educational opportunities

his success as an undergrad, he searched various schools and their

that are on par with those available to sailors on shore duty. With

graduate programs. Phillips is a first-generation college graduate,

all of their tuition provided for, students are responsible only for

so his academic success held a lot of meaning for his family and they

the cost of textbooks and materials.

encouraged him to pursue a graduate degree.

Additionally, NCPACE courses have an added benefit of not counting “OU and the College of Liberal Studies provided the right program

against a sailor’s annual maximum TA funding cap. This, when

for my goal, so I applied and experienced the thrill of acceptance,”

coupled with the low cost of enrollment, makes NCPACE among the

Phillips said.

best educational opportunities the Navy offers. Approximately 7,200 sailors participated in the program in FY-13, and accounted for more

Paying for an education is always on any student’s mind. Phillips

than 10,700 enrollments.

was no different.

Once Phillips enrolled in the program and started his course work, he

18

“I enlisted in the Navy to serve my country and was aware the GI Bill

discovered the academic rigor of a master’s program seemed daunt-

provided an opportunity to complete my education,” Phillips said.

ing, but if he took the time to read and contemplate the material, it

“Once in the Navy, the additional educational benefits offered such

was manageable. The variety of topics covered offered depth to his

as Tuition Assistance (TA), Navy College Program for Afloat College

understanding of the subjects. Throughout the degree program, he

Education (NCPACE) and college-level exams came as a welcome

found the study of human interaction to be the most engaging.

I N S I G HT MAGAZ I N E | SPR IN G 2 0 1 5

ST U DE NT P ROFILE | PH I LLI PS

“My understanding of human behavior and interpersonal communication has increased significantly as a direct result of the coursework. For practical application, I interact with people all day, every day, which gives me the opportunity to utilize what I have learned,” he said.

When thinking about his greatest achievements, Phillips knows specific knowledge is invaluable in certain situations. However, obtaining his master’s degree had the greatest impact on his thinking process.

“Preconceived notions, assumptions and prejudices were challenged by rational thought and academic research, which broadened my understanding of how and why certain phenomena exist,” Phillips said.

Phillips being interviewed for a news piece about the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

As a result, Phillips found many decisions or policies that initially seemed illogi-

rather than emotion or perception. Phillips

pleting his master’s degree taught him to

cal were enacted as a result of historical

views himself with more potential to be a

dig a little deeper.

necessity. Often those who made the deci-

better leader through his understanding

sions also considered the ramifications

of the importance of methodical decision

“Was the achievement in the learning or

when setting up what was necessary for

making.

was the achievement completing all of the degree requirements?” Phillips said. “I have

the greater good. Understanding the reasoning behind “seemingly foolish decisions

When Phillips thinks about his greatest

been honored with awards from the Navy

or policies” gave Phillips the opportunity

accomplishment, he understands that each

and I have earned frame-worthy pieces of

to change or augment those policies based

accomplishment lays the groundwork for

paper from academic institutions. Although

on empirical data and rational thought,

the next one. He quickly realized how com-

I am proud of both, they were a result of

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN PHILLIPS

Phillips receiving a commendation from Captain Greg McWherter.

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19

ST UD E N T P R O F IL E | PHILLIPS

Phillips with his reenlistment certificate and Commander Tom “Boss” Frosch.

Phillips testing out the backseat of a F/A-18 Hornet.

action or applying effort to knowledge. Practical and academic knowledge can be consid-

John Phillips is a U.S. Navy Aviation Adminis-

ered an achievement, which I believe is the reason master plumbers, lawyers, mechanics

trationman 1st Class (Aviation Warfare), who

and psychiatrists all get a piece of paper to hang on their walls. These documents rep-

has served around the world and most recently

resent a mastery of the minimum level of knowledge, but the real achievement is their

as a Maintenance Control representative

continued quest for knowledge. Therefore, I think my greatest achievement is my thirst

and Educational Services Officer for the U.S.

for knowledge, whether it is wiring a garage for 220V or understanding [German philos-

Navy’s world renowned flight demonstration

opher] Immanuel Kant.”

squadron, the Blue Angels. He has worked with some of the finest pilots and maintenance

Phillips plans to remain in the U.S. Navy for at least the next 10 years. The Navy offers many

professionals in the Navy and Marine Corps,

job opportunities and he’s investigating a few right now. At some point in the near future,

and is continuing his service at Navy Personnel

he plans to begin yet another academic endeavor.

Command in Millington, Tennessee.

“Our leadership recognizes that off-duty education is voluntary, but they consider it valuable and a direct reflection on a Sailor’s level of motivation for self-improvement,” he explained. “As such, off-duty education has become a standard question during our sailor of the Year and Quarter boards, mid-term counselings and career development boards. Every sailor is encouraged to take advantage of the various VOLED programs the Navy offers.”

Phillips is determined to do just that. Right now, he’s “still reading the menu” to determine where his next step in lifelong learning will take him.

20

I N S I G HT MAGAZ I N E | SPR IN G 2 0 1 5

OLLI at OU is a noncredit educational program dedicated to promoting lifelong learning for adults over the age of 50. Classes over unique subjects are offered in the summer, fall and spring semesters— become an OLLI member today and enroll in as many as you choose!

405-325-3488 | olli@ou.edu | www.ou.edu/olli

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– Chris Dodge, Utne Reader

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DISCOVERLIT WORLDLITERATURETODAY.ORG

FARGO MOVIE REVIEW

By Jerry Jerman

A Very Select List of Movies Depicting Leadership

12 Angry Men (1957) A film cited not only for examples of leadership but of interesting group dynamics. Henry Fonda stands up to 11 other fellow jurors to challenge their biased assumptions about the guilt of a defendant charged with murder.

22

I N S I G HT MAGAZ I N E | SPR IN G 2 0 1 5

Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) Well, I didn’t say all of these movies depicted effective leadership. On the one hand, we have a generally ineffectual U.S. President Merkin Muffley (best known for his line: “Gentleman,

you can’t fight in here; this is the War Room!”) and Brig. Gen. Jack D. Ripper (whose name tells you what kind of a leader he is).

T

hirty-two minutes elapse before we are introduced to Marge

are prepared to reassess a situation, regroup

Gunderson (Frances McDormand), the hero of the Coen brothers’

and consider alternatives, or, simply, try

film Fargo. In our first glimpse, we see a sleepy woman, in an

advanced and uncomfortable stage of pregnancy, being roused at an early hour by a phone call. We quickly realize she is a police officer in a frigid climate (as the title suggests) and is married to Norm, a loving husband who insists on preparing her a hot breakfast before she leaves the house.

In fact, Marge is the police chief of Brainerd, Minnesota, and she has been called to investigate multiple homicides and “malfeasance,” as she puts it.

again. Very often this persistence involves recruiting others. Marge is determined to find two killers. When she suspects Lundegaard of lying to her, she returns to the car dealership to interview him again. When he “flees the interview,” she enlists other law enforcement professionals to help her.

LOYAL TO CORE VALUES. Leaders have core values and they are fiercely loyal to those values. Near the end of the

In this sometimes grim, sometimes hilari-

of ridiculing or laughing at him—as we in the

movie, Marge makes a simple but clear-cut

ous tale set only partly in Fargo, North Da-

audience are—she gently chides him: “I’m

statement: “There’s more to life than a lit-

kota, we witness this woman’s remarkable

not sure I agree with you a hundred percent

tle money.” After encountering individuals

leadership. The point of this review is to ex-

on your police work, Lou.”

who believe and act otherwise, she can only

amine some of her leadership traits rather

reply, “I just don’t understand it.” From the beginning of Fargo, we understand that

been discussed at length since the movie’s

CONFRONTATIONAL WHEN NECESSARY.

release in 1996.

Who likes confrontation? Even leaders are

her relationship with her husband, Norm.

reluctant to engage in clashes with others.

Though she has witnessed brutal murders

OBSERVANT.

Marge is no different, but she keeps her cool

and despicable human behavior and he

Leaders are called on to be keenly obser-

in testy interactions with an evasive car

seems overly focused on winning a wild-

vant about their environments. Without this

dealership manager, Jerry Lundegaard (Wil-

life stamp design competition, they draw

trait, they would be at sea in a milieu of baf-

liam H. Macy), and Shep Proudfoot (Steven

strength and stability from one another. She

fling circumstances and entirely ineffective.

Reevis), an imposing mechanic with a vi-

offers him encouragement; he provides the

When confronted with a crime scene that

olent temper. It is clear that these men do

hot breakfast. While this does not seem to be

seems to confuse her partner, Marge quick-

not want to be interrogated and, in fact, act

a leadership issue, it does point to Marge’s

ly and insightfully assesses what took place

rashly as a result of Marge’s even-tempered

core value of the importance of loyalty and

from a cursory look at the bloody aftermath

meeting with them.

caring in a sea of wickedness.

than other aspects of the movie that have

Marge’s emotional compass is linked to

FIRM BUT COMPASSIONATE.

In the example of Marge Gunderson we

the actual events in the first 30 minutes,

A leader knows the limits of appropriate per-

have a somewhat surprising leader. At first

we know she is dead-on accurate in her

sonal or professional behavior. In meeting

glance, she might not look like or seem to be

observations.

a mixed-up former high school classmate,

a leader, but the Coens’ script works against

Marge is firm in establishing clear bound-

appearances.

prints in the snow). Since we witnessed

COACHING.

aries when he tries to come on to her. At the

A vital characteristic of leadership is

same time, she is compassionate when he

So can we say Marge Gunderson is an excel-

coaching, which aids in bringing em-

shares a tragic (though, as she later learns,

lent leader? You betcha.

ployees and others up to a higher lev-

fabricated) story.

el of performance. Marge coaches

Jerry Jerman is the Director of Marketing and

PERSISTENT.

Communications for OU Outreach and also

when he fails to recognize

The most effective leaders do not give up

teaches as an adjunct instructor of humanities

that “DLR” on a license plate

easily. They realize every initiative may not

and classic films for CLS and the Osher Lifelong

signifies “Dealer.” Instead

work upon first implementation, and they

Learning Institute.

Norma Rae (1979) Sally Field’s Oscar-winning performance as a Southern textile worker turned union organizer shows what can happen when a person with convictions stands up to injustice and wins over the allegiance of her co-workers.

Gandhi (1982) Playing the revered Indian spiritual figure, Ben Kingsley demonstrates a different kind of leadership as he teaches his followers by example the principles of nonviolent resistance against the British Empire.

Captain Phillips (2013) Tom Hanks is a commercial sea captain who leads his crew in facing up to a band of desperate Somali pirates. This is a gripping, tense film about a leader who for most of the film is held hostage.

her less astute police partner

I NS I G H T M AG AZ I NE | S P R I NG 2 0 1 5

PHOTO BY GRAMERCY PICTURES/GETTY IMAGES

(three bodies, two abandoned cars, foot-

23

What Is The Cloud?

By Catherine Kerley

Catherine Kerley is the Web Administrator for the College of Liberal Studies. She has 17 years of web experience with CLS focusing on website design and improving user experience.

24

I N S I G HT MAGAZ I N E | SPR IN G 2 0 1 5

I N E V E RY I SS U E | CO N VO C AT I O N

T

he Cloud gives us an almost dreamlike promise of infinite accessibility to our files from an almost magical “anywhere.” However, reality tells us that the Cloud is hardly that massive server in the sky.

It’s really a very large physical framework of thousands of computers housed in warehouses across

the planet. We also tend to imagine the Cloud as something very new. But it was back in 1996 that Steve Jobs first talked about Apple’s yet-to-be-named iCloud service. Jobs wanted a server service that was as simple as plug-n-play back in the ‘90s. What is now expected and almost taken for granted was revolutionary in 1996— moving everything off your local computer to a server you can access from anywhere on any device.

When you upload to the Cloud you share a copy of your files with a very large server network that is protected and backed up.

There is no longer a need to worry about your computer crashing and losing files— they are safe in the Cloud. Being able to access files from anywhere helps us be more efficient and not tied to an office. The world becomes our workspace.

The Cloud also empowers users to choose with which computer companies they wish to do business. We are no longer locked into a single operating system. With Cloud access you can work interchangeably from a PC, Apple, Android or Linux device. You choose

CLOUD SERVICES

your Cloud service provider and have full access to your files no matter what device

iCloud

you are using.

Apple’s iCloud connects you and your Apple devices to make sure you always have the latest versions of your most important files.

The Cloud is all things.

GoogleDrive It’s virtual. Thousands of servers worldwide

GoogleDrive doesn’t care if you use Windows, Apple or Android. It’s the cloud

are talking to us no matter where we are or

service for everyone. You can also easily invite others to view, edit and/or

what device we’re using. Servers are there

leave comments on your files or folders.

when and how we need them.

Amazon CloudDrive It’s flexible and scalable. The Cloud pro-

Amazon jumped headlong into the digital arena with CloudDrive that offers

vides the amount of storage you need at the

free mobile apps, secure access from any computer and extra storage for

moment.

your phone.

It’s open. You can move your “cloud” files

DropBox

around without being locked into a contract

DropBox makes it easy to share with others. You can access files from any

with any one provider.

device with the DropBox app installed.

It’s secure. The most secure cloud service is

OneDrive

a private one on dedicated hardware. Always

Microsoft’s file-hosting service allows users to upload and sync files to cloud

remember to have security measures in

storage and then access them from a browser or local device.

place no matter which provider you choose.

It’s affordable. You’ll get the best prices in

We are all living in a high-speed digital world and we need high-speed networks to keep us

the public cloud, when servers are shared

secure and connected. Before selecting your cloud provider, we strongly recommend that

with other users. Your account isn’t shared,

you carefully read through the providers’ terms of service and that you have a full under-

just the machine that houses your files.

standing of the policies and pricing options.

I NS I G H T M AG AZ I NE | S P R I NG 2 0 1 5

23

RITE OF PASSAGE Winter 2014 Convocation

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I N S I G HT MAGAZ I N E | SPR IN G 2 0 1 5

DECEMBER 13, 2014 – CATLETT MUSIC CENTER – UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA In December, the College of Liberal Studies conferred degrees upon 113 bachelor’s and 67 master’s candidates. Winter convocation marked a special day for many of these graduates, who traveled with their families from near and far to commemorate the occasion.

Congratulations to the newest members of the College of Liberal Studies alumni family!

I NS I G H T M AG AZ I NE | S P R I NG 2 0 1 5

27

ROW 1 (TOP ROW): Samatha Day, Giselle Martin, Derek Fine, Charlene Flanery, Sandie Roberts ROW 2: Jacob Garrett, Eric Doolittle, Kristen Yeary, Patricia Simmons, Brittney Hall, Brandon Barnes, Rahcelle Balfloer, Cierra Clouch ROW 3: Laura Wright, Chris Elliott, Payton Patterson, James Onstott, Matthew Simon, Deborah Baze, Regina Jordan, Jennifer Rutledge ROW 4: Ty Breckenridge, Rachael Bailey, Clayton Wells, Joseph Finch, Andrew Verbis, Tarakay Biggs,

Lauran Larson, Raedel Smith ROW 5: Neyshmi Mack, Jesse Bosley, Charla Paul, Cheri Beda, Janice Nez, Latoya Groves, Mark Weil, Mark Hallum

ROW 1 (TOP ROW): Jordan Mess, Daniel Stevens, Kendra Guthrie, James Hart ROW 2: Takorya Dawkins, Jack Stalling, Kacia Wedel, Don Hackney, Michelle Jellison, Taylor Presgrove, Brynn Brown, Stephanie Delgado ROW 3: Issac Spencer, Sherree Biermann, Meghan Roark, Bryan Jackson, Wayne Stark, Ryan Garrison, Sharon Smith ROW 4: Krista Daddio, Kathy Kyler, Rachel Higgins, Stacey New, Jessie Thompson, Deanna Voeks, Aaron Magness,

Richard Collins ROW 5: Matthew Loafman, Astrid Lorbeer, Teri Parrish, John Phillips, Nanette King, Tasha Morris-Grimes, James Faulk

PHOTO COURTESY OF CANDID COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY

I N EVE RY ISSUE | CO NVOCATION

Latoya Groves and husband Josh Groves.

From left: Mark Hallum, Mark Weil, Jesse Bosley and John Phillips

Ryan Garrison receiving his diploma from Dr. Martha Banz

Jordan Mess

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I N S I G HT MAGAZ I N E | SPR IN G 2 0 1 5

From Left: Allison Palmer, Martha Banz, Robert Edmondson, Convocation speaker Rick Luce, John Duncan, Todd Wuestewald, Paul Ketchum, Roksana Alavi and Steve Gullberg

I N E V E RY I SS U E | CO N VO C AT I O N

Michelle Jellison

From left: Jessie Thompson, Neyshmi Mack, Jesse Bosley and Mark Hallum

Stephanie Delgado

Rachael Bailey

Derek Fine and Charlene Flanery

I NS I G H T M AG AZ I NE | S P R I NG 2 0 1 5

27

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

Leader and Follower

By George Henderson, Ph. D., CLS Dean Emeritus

E

arly theories of leadership ranged from Thomas Carlyle’s view that great men determine the course of history to Vilfredo Pareto’s concept that different kinds of societal situations allow certain types of persons to

become leaders. During the early development of leadership concepts, the three most prominent classification categories of leaders were elected or appointed leaders, emergent leaders and charismatic leaders. Martin Luther King Jr. epitomized each of those leader types.

In 1954, at the age of 25, King accepted an offer from the pulpit

The participants formed an organization that, after several name

selection committee of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Mont-

changes, became the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

gomery, Alabama, to become the church’s pastor. Shortly afterward,

King was elected the president.

in 1955, Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of a Montgomery

28

bus and leave her front row seat vacant for a white passenger. She

King’s warm, compelling and forceful personality gave him a mysti-

was arrested and that sparked the Montgomery bus boycott by black

cal presence. This charismatic quality extended beyond him being a

people. Because of his forceful church sermons about the evils of

highly educated person, an accomplished orator, an insightful writer

racial oppression and his eloquence as a public speaker, King was

and an emerging community activist. Indeed, his persona allowed

asked by the organizers of the boycott to be their leader. His public

him to do some extraordinary things as a leader. Ralph Waldo Emer-

speech at the rally was militant enough to arouse the blacks in at-

son (1860) wrote: “There are men who, by their sympathetic attrac-

tendance but moderate enough to keep them focused on nonviolent

tions, carry nations with them, and lead the activity of the human

actions. He was the right person at the right time to assume that

race.” Martin Luther King Jr., became one of those men. He unques-

leadership role.

tionably fit Emerson’s and Carlyle’s notions of a great man.

Two years later, in 1957, King convened what he called the first

King’s leadership characteristics can be subsumed into two general

Negro Leaders Conference on Nonviolent Integration to discuss

categories. Within the first category are those qualities required

ways to fight racial segregation and discrimination more effectively

of people who operate from a moral or ethical orientation. King’s

throughout the South. Sixty preachers from the South and a young

commitment to nonviolence was an unapologetically humane ap-

community organizer named Bayard Rustin attended the conference.

proach to societal changes. He believed that unarmed truth and un-

I N S I G HT MAGAZ I N E | SPR IN G 2 0 1 5

F E AT U RE | MART I N LU TH E R K I N G J R .

conditional love of one’s adversaries would ultimately triumph over racial violence and bigotry. Drawing strength from the teachings of Jesus and Mohandas K. Gandhi and the writings of Henry David Thoreau, King was able to transcend the bitterness that accrued to him as a victim of race hate crimes.

The second aspect of King’s leadership characteristics were those qualities that allowed him to empower other people to deal effectively with interpersonal and intergroup conflicts within and outside their own organizations. He encouraged and helped his followers to devise their own strategies and tactics to resolve local community conflicts. Simply put, he did not micromanage his subordinates or his followers. Thus, he was both an effective leader and loyal follower. It could be theorized that it makes little difference what personality traits leaders possess if their followers have faith in them and they, in turn, are empowered to do their best work.

If most of King’s civil rights tactics and strategies had been ill conceived, he would have been a failed leader. Fortunately, most

national nonviolent activities that positively

of his tactics and strategies were well con-

transformed the United States. Within that

ceived. As a leader, Martin Luther King Jr.,

context, he became one of America’s most

harnessed the synergy and motivation of

renowned leaders.

masses of black people and their allies for

Dr. George Henderson has taught for the University of Oklahoma since 1967 and is synonymous with efforts to promote ethnic diversity and interracial understanding on the OU campus and throughout the country.

A trailblazer among African-American university educators, Henderson has published 29 books, held several academic positions, including Dean of the College of Liberal Studies, and has been honored nationally for his research and writings. Henderson was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2003 and has received numerous awards including the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Medal for the Outstanding College and University Professor.

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WINTER 2014 BANNER CARRIER

Latoya Groves

L

By John Huggins

atoya Groves served as the Banner Carrier for the Winter 2014 convocation ceremony in December. Latoya was selected for her outstanding academic achievements and exemplary commitment to her education.

WAS THERE A SPECIFIC EVENT OR PERSON THAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO CLS?

time and running a part-time business. I also want to thank all the

Yes. I first heard about the Administrative Leadership program

and professors.

connections I’ve made at OU during my time here, both colleagues

through a co-worker who had just applied for it. I was excited to

30

hear about a program that caters to working professionals such as

WHAT SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME WITH CLS?

myself. I had also connected with a few people from the College of

The amount of reading for each class surprised me! I definitely had

Liberal Studies through my Co-active Coaching cohort and they told

to make my reading a priority in my life. While the programs have

me more about the program. Between the two, I determined that it

some flexibility for working professionals, the reading load is still

was a good fit for my interests and available time.

very demanding.

IS THERE ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO THANK, OR WHO WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN YOUR SUCCESS?

WHAT DID YOU FIND MOST INTERESTING DURING YOUR STUDIES?

I would like to first thank my husband, Josh, who was a tremendous

The thing I found most interesting was exploring how different

support system throughout my journey of studying, working full

motivational theories can be applied to cross-cultural and mul-

I N S I G HT MAGAZ I N E | SPR IN G 2 0 1 5

I N E V E RY I SS U E | B A N N E R C A R R I E R

tigenerational workplaces. I found it very interesting how many leadership theories are based on Western practices and that in multicultural situations one must be careful to be aware of how they are communicating and motivating.

DID YOU HAVE A FAVORITE INSTRUCTOR? WHAT MADE HIM OR HER YOUR FAVORITE? They were all instrumental to my success in the program and I’m grateful for all of their dedication to the program and the students.

Their passion was very clear for the material they taught.

HOW HAS WHAT YOU’VE LEARNED BENEFITTED YOU SO FAR? I think the Administrative Leadership program has helped me identify different solutions for working with people and motivating them. I have become more aware of the challenges and sensitivities of varying situations and am a better person for it. It’s been a lot of fun!

HOW DO YOU SEE FINISHING YOUR DEGREE BENEFITTING YOU IN THE NEAR FUTURE? I think the major benefit of finishing my degree will be twofold:

Groves with her grandmother Faye Blehm and mother Sonya Whitmire.

First, I have learned how to be a critical thinker and have new which helps me better manage myself and others; second, having an

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?

advanced degree increases my perceived credibility as an employee

As a first generation college graduate, I consider my greatest

at the University of Oklahoma.

achievement the completion of my master’s degree. As a lifelong

understandings of different motivational theories under my belt,

learner, I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for me!

IF YOU COULD OFFER SOME ADVICE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Test theory in real-world situations. Do not just do the homework

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS? DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC GOALS OR ASPIRATIONS?

and move on. Think about what you are learning and see if you can

I aspire to be still working in a university setting, advocating for the

find practical application or understanding in your everyday life.

student in whatever way I can. I’m not sure what that will look like,

This will improve retention, understanding and enjoyment of the

yet. One thing I do know is higher education is where my heart is.

learning process.

Groves with (from left) father-in-law Bob Blair, husband Josh Groves and mother-in-law Sally Jo Blair.

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31

2014 COLLEGE OF LIBERAL STUDIES

Tailgate Party

T

he 2014 CLS Tailgate Party

“We had a great time visiting with current and past CLS students,” said CLS Dean Dr. James

was a great success last

Pappas. “We love to meet our students’ families and are glad to be able to offer a time for

fall with over 100 alumni,

students and staff attending. There

The annual CLS Tailgate Party is a free event open to all CLS alumni, students, staff, faculty

were plenty of activities for every-

and their families during the football season. Upcoming Tailgate Party information will be

one including a photo booth, face

announced on the CLS website at cls.ou.edu.

painting and balloon animals.

32

them to spend a day on campus. We’re looking forward to doing it again in 2015.”

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33

FACULTY PROFILE

John Boekenoogen Out of the Swamp and onto the Prairie

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I N S I G HT MAGAZ I N E | SPR IN G 2 0 1 5

By Mary Wuestewald

I NS I DE C L S | STA FF PR O FI LE

I

n the world of online education, the University of Oklahoma’s College of Liberal Studies (CLS) has been a hard-hitting player. It has 10 online degree programs that put it years ahead of others rushing to

modernize the U.S. higher education system. In fall 2014, CLS hired a new Director of Academic Technology to help nudge the online experience at the college to the next level of excellence.

Dr. John Boekenoogen, a man with more

gan working with Lunar Planetary Scienc-

advanced degrees and progress beyond the

than 20 years of educational experience and

es (LPL) and found a faculty sponsor who

rank of captain. This gave Boekenoogen the

a passion for online education, joined the

believed in getting the youth excited about

unique opportunity to study side-by-side

CLS team in November 2014.

space. We set the foundation for a program

with members of the U.S. Air Force Special

that is still strong today, more than 25 years

Operation Command personnel.

Before joining CLS, Boekenoogen spent 13

later.”

years with the University of Florida as the

“Being part of the university was really ex-

Training Lead for Learning Support Services

Boekenoogen’s work with LPL led him to his

citing for me,” he said. “A lot of my pro-

and the Office of Information Technology.

work with NASA. He and his affiliates used

fessors were retired military or retired U.S.

Boekenoogen accepted this position after

local telescopes to observe the space shuttles

State Department personnel. Being the only

spending three years in Washington, D.C.,

fly over Arizona before successfully landing

civilian in most of my graduate courses gave

working for two nonprofit educational foun-

in Florida.

me a greater understanding of military life

dations that served high school and college

and history.”

students who were looking to use the na-

“When the shuttles were diverted for land-

tion’s capital as a classroom. His passion

ing, we would race out to Edwards Air Force

Looking for an opportunity to continue his

for helping students began when he started

Base and help photograph them. It was very

education, Boekenoogen decided to finish

his career as a special education teacher in

exciting!” he said. “We also got to see the

his educational experience by immersing

Missouri in the 1990s.

Space Shuttle Columbia being refurbished in

himself in an online doctoral degree. As an

Palmdale, California, and the Hubble Space

educator in the field of online education, he

As a lifelong learner himself, Boekenoogen

Telescope in the white clean room before

felt that it was only right to take on a task

started his academic career at the Univer-

it was finally placed in orbit by the Space

that could help him fully understand the ex-

sity of Arizona, where he completed his

Shuttle Discovery in 1990.”

perience of his students.

attending the university, he helped bring a

These are only a few of Boekenoogen’s fa-

In the few months that Boekenoogen has

chapter of Students for the Exploration and

vorite memories. He also worked with a sci-

been working at CLS, he has started im-

Development of Space (SEDS) to Arizona,

entist trying to make concrete out of lunar

plementing processes for the future of

worked on the Shuttle Watch Program, as-

soil, played with the first Mars Rover proto-

online education with the college includ-

sisted faculty and staff at Lunar Planetary

type, archived photos collected on the Apollo

ing long-term course analysis and review

Laboratories and participated in many more

missions, participated in NASA’s salute to

and course design. These changes affect

events with NASA.

the Voyager program and met American he-

the course management system (D2L) and

roes like Buzz Aldrin.

other central support educational technol-

bachelor’s degree in political science. While

His natural love for science fiction is what initially drew him to the university.

ogies and will expand the vision and capa“I had so many different adventures while

bility of online education at CLS and OU.

working with NASA and LPL that it is hard “When I was looking to go to college after

to pick one favorite project,” he said.

high school, there was only one choice for

When asked about leaving Florida and moving to Oklahoma, he said, “The chance to

me,” he said. “The University of Arizona,

After completing his bachelor’s degree,

work with the University of Oklahoma and

the astronomy capital of the world. I was

Boekenoogen found himself in Ft. Walton

to put in motion a continual bright future

accepted as an astronomy major and wanted

Beach, Florida, attending Troy University’s

for online education was an opportunity that

to get into planetary sciences.”

extended campus for his master’s degree in

I could not turn down.”

international relations.

TRACI FULLER

As a member of the Astronomy Club, he discovered that, at one time, the col-

Troy University is located in Ft. Walton

lege had been home to a chapter of SEDS.

Beach, Florida, and is home to two very important U.S. Air Force bases: Eglin AFB and

“A good friend and I decided to bring the

Hurlburt Field. Troy University provided a

old chapter back to life,” he said. “We be-

way for U.S. airmen from nearby to earn

I NS I G H T M AG AZ I NE | S P R I NG 2 0 1 5

35

36

I N S I G HT MAGAZ I N E | SPR IN G 2 0 1 5

T

eams succeed or fail, organizations triumph or disappear and even countries rise and fall largely as a result of the quality of their leadership. No other topic garners more attention in popular business books and articles,

and many other disciplines such as psychology, anthropology and philosophy also enjoy tackling this topic. Yet, assemble a room filled with any organization’s “leaders” and ask, “How would you define leadership?” and an immediate awkward silence will eventually be interrupted by a wide variety of tepid responses, many wildly incompatible. Of course, it’s ironic the people that organizations call leaders often struggle with defining the word leadership. So it’s certainly worth asking, “Why is leadership so difficult to define?”

The biggest problem leading to confusion regarding leadership’s definition resides in the fact that people use the term in many different ways. Sometimes an adjective and sometimes a noun, leadership often serves as a catch-all term in casual conversation. It’s true that this sort of informality is of little concern in most dayto-day activities. However, a lack of definitional rigor, particularly absent awareness of this definitional sloppiness, serves as a significant barrier standing in the way of improving leadership performance.

As a way of providing greater precision in the definition of leadership, this article discusses two sides of the definitional coin: what leadership is not and what it is. This brief article provides practical guidance for defining leadership.

This discussion is important because selecting, promoting and developing leaders becomes much more effective with a crisper definition of the term leadership.

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37

WHAT LEADERSHIP IS NOT A job role It’s not unusual to hear a question such as, “How many leaders do we have in this organization?” On the surface this seems like a reasonable question; however, it actually muddies the definitional waters significantly. This question simply seeks to identify the number of people who supervise others. Whether or not someone has supervisory responsibilities has absolutely nothing to do with leadership. Using leadership as a noun to describe an organization’s supervisors, or the word leader to describe a particular supervisor, is common but misguided. Some supervisors lead and some do not.

Effective management Every organization needs good management processes. Planning and budgeting, setting short-term goals, establishing detailed steps, organizing, staffing and controlling all represent critically important activities. But as Harvard’s John Kotter has pointed out in numerous books and articles, these activities and processes, while important, are distinct from leadership. Very often, however, these things are referred to as leadership activities and those who engage in them as leaders. They are not.

Having a great idea Innovation has never been more important for organizational sur-

Self-leadership

vival. Every organization must have creative people with terrific

This is an odd term generally used to identify someone who takes

ideas. Most modern organizations encourage individuals to en-

responsibility for his or her own personal development. Good idea…

gage in thought-leadership. However, novel and creative thoughts

poor term. The problem with this phrase is that leadership requires

in and of themselves do not represent a form of leadership. While

followers. Self-leadership is a bit like crowded-solitude, an oxymo-

thought-leadership does exist, it only exists when others adopt the

ronic phrase with little meaning. Primarily, the term self-leadership

innovator’s ideas and these ideas are put into practice. Great ideas

helps market worthwhile (but non-leadership) self-development

that are appreciated but not implemented are just cool thoughts,

activities and services.

not leadership.

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS The inside scoop on the people in charge:

Martin Luther King Jr.

Winston Churchill

George Washington

WHAT LEADERSHIP IS What people do Perhaps the most important aspect of leadership revolves around an individual’s ability to change things. Leaders develop a vision, then persuade and influence others to set aside their own concerns for a while in order to willfully follow that vision, adopting the leader’s vision as a part of their own vision for the future. Leaders create strategies for producing significant change and aligning people to bring these changes about; they motivate and inspire.

What people achieve Effective leadership means that the leader’s vision, or something very close to it, indeed does occur. A leader who persuades others to adopt a vision, to pursue a course of action, but whose team/organization does not achieve the vision is, by definition, an ineffective leader. Great leadership means, in part, that groups of people succeed in accomplishing the leader’s vision. This point often generates the question, “So was Hitler a great leader?” Well yes, he was. He was also an evil, despicable and morally reprehensible leader. Good leader vs. bad leader is a moral question. Great leader vs. poor leader is a question of effectiveness. So Hitler was a great leader who was very, very bad.

Conclusion

Dr. Paul Dyer is an organizational psychologist who specializes in im-

Leadership is a common topic, but a rare commodity. No other area

proving individual, team and organizational performance. He has served

of study and practice is as important for any group of people hoping

as an internal and external business consultant and executive coach with

to survive and thrive in today’s world. Unfortunately, we too often

hundreds of individuals and a number of organizations such as the Dow

speak so casually about leadership that we undermine our ability to

Chemical Company, the Maytag Corporation, M&M Mars, Hilton, Devon

improve its performance. While much needs to be done to enhance

Energy and Scholastic Book Fairs. In addition, he has taught organiza-

organizations’ leadership selection, promotion and development

tional behavior and psychology courses at Rollins College and has written

processes, these improvements begin by answering the question,

two career books: The Ultimate Job Search Survival Guide and Sacred

“What is this thing called leadership?”

Path, Joyful Journey.

what they had for the most important meal of the day

Eleanor Roosevelt

John F. Kennedy

Margaret Thatcher

2014-2015 OUTSTANDING SENIOR

Kimberly Mahoney

By Mary Wuestewald

T

he subject of community involvement might seem like dull stuff

the high cost of attending school at a major

until the United States Airmen of Vance AFB get involved. Kim-

university, however, she decided to face the

berly Mahoney, College of Liberal Studies student and Security

challenge head-on.

Forces Dispatcher with the U.S. Air Force, proved that the moment she

When funding her education became a fright-

decided to represent the 71st Security Forces Squadron in the annual Feds

ful endeavor, she made the decision to enlist

Feed Families event.

in the U.S. Air Force and apply her benefits toward finishing her education. She then began her search for the right school. It had to

Each year, Vance AFB participates in a proj-

most a pound of food for every impover-

be of high caliber and have flexible course of-

ect to collect food and water for impover-

ished member of the Enid community.

ferings to suit her life in the military.

Oklahoma. Base-wide organizations com-

This achievement, along with work assigned

She was pleased to find both qualifications

pete to bring in the most food and water for

during her Nonprofit Management class,

met in CLS.

the community, and the totals are calculated

earned Mahoney prestigious distinction as

and assigned to each organization.

CLS’s Outstanding Senior for 2014-2015.

This story is particularly moving for the folks

So how did the Security Forces Dispatcher

offered the best education in the state,” she

in Enid, of whom more than 15 percent are

get started at CLS?

said. “The College of Liberal Studies provid-

ished families in the small town of Enid,

“Upon being stationed in Oklahoma, I quickly learned that the University of Oklahoma

living below the poverty level.

ed me the opportunity to serve my country

THE BEGINNING

40

while earning my college degree online.”

The efforts of Mahoney’s squadron resulted

Mahoney had always known that a formal

in the collection of more than 1,655 pounds

education in today’s competitive market was

The unique challenge of working active duty

of food and water, adding to the base-wide

an essential part of establishing herself in a

for the Air Force and enrolling as a full-time

contribution of 7,476.8 pounds. That’s al-

stable career. When she was confronted with

student proved to be no easy task, however.

I N S I G HT MAGAZ I N E | SPR IN G 2 0 1 5

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KIMBERLY MAHONEY

ST U DE NT P ROF I LE | MDAE H OCLS NEY I NSI

Mahoney (second from far right) with the other 2014-2015 Outstanding Seniors for the University of Oklahoma.

Very quickly, Mahoney taught herself how

I received my award. I was grateful, and

my goals despite the challenges I faced,”

to apply the fundamentals of balance and

blissful, and immensely proud that the CLS

she said. “Though the workload I carried

priorities.

staff felt so strongly about my dedication to

for years was cumbersome, I would never

my education and my community involve-

dream of abandoning the success I have

“My experience at CLS has made me aware

ment,” she said. “Above all, I felt a strong

achieved at OU, nor the success I anticipate

of my own strengths,” she said. “I have

sense of relief. Accepting my award con-

my education will bring my future.”

learned that I am a driven, capable individ-

firmed that my school acknowledged my

ual; I set ambitious goals and am typically

work ethic and determination, two char-

If the past is any indicator of the future,

able to achieve those goals. I have learned

acteristics which I attribute to my mother

Kimberly Mahoney will be more than ready

that I am a perfectionist, which—when

and father. I was relieved that the CLS staff

for the opportunity to make a difference in

reigned in appropriately—allows me to

valued the traits instilled by my parents.”

her community.

produce quality results. I anticipate that these attributes will result in my ability to

Mahoney credits her parents with all of her

lead committed employees in the future,

accomplishments—not a small acknowl-

who are eager to acknowledge the leader-

edgement when considering her many

ship traits that I have learned through my

achievements.

education at OU.” “Being so far from home, I crave the pride For Mahoney, earning her degree was the

of my mother and father,” she said. “The

first step toward building a bright and re-

opportunity to apply for the Outstanding

warding future. Her efforts to do so no mat-

Senior award was enough to invoke a sense

ter the circumstances did not go unnoticed.

of pride among my family; actually winning the award provided me with a level of grat-

GAINING RECOGNITION

ification that I never could have dreamed of

In 2014, CLS administrators were proud to

from my parents.”

announce Mahoney as the Outstanding Senior for the academic year. She remembers

Mahoney was quick to offer words of en-

the day fondly as a testament to how hard

couragement to students entering the pro-

work pays off.

gram, as well.

“I experienced a rush of emotion the day

“My ambition to excel pushed me to achieve

Mahoney waving to the crowd in the Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium after being recognized as the Outstanding Senior for CLS.

I NS I G H T M AG AZ I NE | S P R I NG 2 0 1 5

41

I NS I DE C L S | FAC ULTY PROFILE

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU! Stop by OneU in the Union to check out the Oculus Rift, schedule an appointment with the 3D printer or check out all of the cool new gadgets we’re constantly getting at the store, or stop by our location on Campus Corner for unparalleled selection in laptops and accessories. Visit either location to get insight and assistance from our helpful, knowledgeable (and awesome) student employees!

Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni and every member of the OU family can visit us in store or shop online to get academic discounts on the latest and greatest technology!

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325-1925

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/OUITStore

I NSI D E CLS

STAY CONNECTED

FACEBOOK.COM/ OULIBERALSTUDIES

CLS.OU.EDU

TWITTER.COM/ OU_CLS

CLSBLOG.OU.EDU

KEEP US UPDATED Share your latest achievements and success.

Send your updates to: John Huggins, EDITOR jhuggins@ou.edu

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43

STAFF HIGHLIGHT

A Financial Aid Team Effort

By Ashley Geary

Nicole Rhyne (left) and Rachel Meyer.

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STAF F H I GH L I GH T | FI N A N C I A L A I D

R

achel Meyer, the assistant director of the Financial Aid department

financial aid forms, respond to a variety of

in the College of Liberal Studies (CLS), spends busy days processing

emails answering students’ questions, an-

financial aid forms before classes begin. She stops intermittently

to answer phone calls from students who inquire about documents they sent to the office. Hanging up from such a call, Rachel barely returned to her work before the phone rang again and another worried student began her explanation.

swer phones, package students’ financial aid, oversee disbursement and try to alleviate the financial worries of their students.

Special care and attention are given to each student—even if it means after-hours work.

This is especially useful to the non-traditional students of CLS, as they are likely employed and may not be able to submit

Many students rely on financial aid to get

This is what the CLS Financial Aid depart-

them through college and this student was

ment is all about—helping students in any

no different. Rachel quickly learned the stu-

way possible.

information during regular office hours.

“Because of those life circumstances, the students had to put school on the back burn-

dent was facing eviction from her apartment because life got in the way, and she hadn’t

HELPING NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS

er, and they felt like that dream was gone,”

completed her financial aid paperwork on

While other departments at the University

Nicole said. “But they’ve come back and we

time. Rachel could sense the urgency in the

of Oklahoma strive to provide the utmost

get to help them realize their dream.”

student’s voice as she frantically explained

support and aid to students, there’s none

this horrible news. Unfortunately, there was

quite like the Financial Aid department that

STUDENT SUCCESS

nothing to be done if the student couldn’t

oversees non-traditional and military stu-

Rachel describes Nicole and herself as a

find some way to submit her paperwork as

dents in CLS. Every one of the 1,100 students

two-person team working constantly to

soon as possible.

receives top-quality assistance from the

conquer all of the problems students may

college’s financial aid staff members.

have, and to help students obtain scholarships. This team is devoted to being a part

The student had lost both of her parents within the last few years. Her surviving un-

Students who call the Financial Aid depart-

cle, having no supplementary financial re-

ment are able to speak personally either to

of students’ success.

sources, could offer no help with tuition or

Rachel or Nicole throughout the financial aid

The two are driven to seek out financial aid

housing expenses. Having no one to turn to

process and don’t have to maneuver through

assistance for their students. They success-

for help, she felt at a loss and was soon-to-

an automated voice messaging system to re-

fully do this by speaking personally with

be homeless, living out of her car and un-

ceive assistance.

their students over the phone, handling the majority of the students’ financial aid pro-

able to complete school. Feeling alone, she struggled to believe in herself. She started to

This personal service provides students

cess and working with them after hours to

feel as if she couldn’t get herself out of this

with the opportunity to build relationships

alleviate urgent and dire problems.

persistent rut.

and enables them to feel more comfortable

Rachel continued listening to the woman’s

about discussing their personal financial

“I’m incredibly grateful to work at CLS and

situations.

be able to help change students’ lives for the better,” Nicole said. “It’s work that makes

story and realized this wasn’t just a deadline missed, but a person needing help.

“We have established a secure relationship

a difference.”

with our students where they feel like even Rachel informed the student, “Even if you

though they may be in a tough spot, they

Moreover, Rachel and Nicole view their

don’t believe in yourself, I believe in you.”

can come to us, and we will help them as

positions as not just careers, but as an op-

much as we possibly can,” Nicole said.

portunity to invest themselves in students’ success.

Understanding and empathy may not be in the Financial Aid department description of

PERSONAL SERVICE

services, but it’s present in the people and

Typically, in large colleges and universities

“If we can do it, we will make it happen,”

is representative of the way Rachel and fi-

entire specialized departments are dedicated

Rachel said.

nancial aid advisor Nicole Rhyne assist all of

to single aspects of the financial aid process

their students at CLS.

such as client service lines, account services

And there are countless CLS graduates who

and loan processing.

agree.

TRACI FULLER

By rushing all of the student’s paperwork and personally processing her application,

But at CLS, there are two well-rounded, as-

Rachel was able to disburse the student’s fi-

tute and dedicated financial aid employees

nancial assistance, allowing the student to

who oversee almost all of those functions.

avoid eviction and continue her education.

On a daily basis, Rachel and Nicole process

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45

In Memoriam Brock Laureates John Goodlad and Elliot Eisner

By Mary Wuestewald

By Ed Harris, Ph.D. Administrator, Brock International Prize in Education Professor and Williams Chair of Educational Leadership, Oklahoma State University

O

ver the past few weeks, I’ve been reflecting

Educational Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University de-

on two of my heroes who passed away in

partment chair Autumn Tooms Cyprès, commented, “More than

2014, John Goodlad and Elliot Eisner. These

two great men left indelible imprints, not only on the landscape of 20th and 21st century education, but also on the hearts of many. Both lived full, productive lives; both influenced the world in their own unique ways; and both were Brock Prize Laureates. I recently corre-

sponded with the first administrator of the prize, Trent Gabert, and several former Brock Prize jurors. These individuals are all influencers in their own right, and they share in the following tribute to John and Elliot.

any other thinker, John Goodlad influenced the modern work of educators because he was an unrepentant voice in the field – framing school as a total entity—a cultural system beyond a series of classrooms. I am one of countless educators who have focused on the political and social dynamics within and around school because of his profound notions of the unspoken nuances of school culture.”

University Council for Educational Administration Executive Director Michelle Young added that his “insightful assertion that university-district partnerships be mutually renewing guides all of my partnership work. To be true partners, our organizations must both contribute and benefit in substantive ways.”

One reason he was selected as the first Brock Prize Laureate is be-

JOHN GOODLAD

cause of the impact of his life work. Former CLS Associate Dean

John Goodlad died this past November at the age of 94. During

Trent Gabert remembered those first deliberations. “I was too con-

his 70-year career in education, he witnessed myriad fleeting

cerned about everything to even breathe,” he said. “I recall everyone

reform movements as well as continually shifting public policy and

talking a lot about Goodlad being the ideal first laureate because he

attitudes toward education. Through it all, he firmly held onto his

was such a prominent name in education circles.”

own well-defined, positive vision of education and its role in a just

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society. In living out that vision, Goodlad inspired the work and lives

Like many others who knew Goodlad, Gabert also remembered what

of countless generations of teachers, administrators, academics and

a gracious, unpretentious human being he was. This theme seemed

policymakers.

to permeate the sentiments of each person who commented about

I N S I G HT MAGAZ I N E | SPR IN G 2 0 1 5

I N ME MORI AM | GOODL A D A N D E I S N E R

him. For instance, Bruce Barnett, UTSA’s Department Chair of Edu-

of making art settles my mind and girds my spirit. It helps me to

cational Leadership and Policy Studies related this special moment:

focus intellectually on a path of action as a leader and as a teacher.

“I had the good fortune to meet John at a conference years ago

It is the greatest single tool in my arsenal of leadership skills and

where we were both presenting. After our presentations, a forum

the lessons I explore again and again with my students. I owe this

was held for audience members to ask questions of presenters. I’ll

insight to Elliot Eisner. His profound understanding of the power

never forget how gracious he was to me. Despite my relative lack of

in connecting the mental skills of making art to empathizing with

experience at that stage in my career, he constantly deferred ques-

differing points of view has touched my work on a daily basis as a

tions to me before providing his response. On several occasions, he

scholar and leader.”

began his comments by saying, ‘I completely agree with Bruce.’ You have no idea how comforting this was to me. Clearly, participants

Cindy Reed sums Eisner’s impact on her life and work. “As a doc-

had come to hear his insights, not mine. In fact, I wanted to be an

toral student, I was introduced to Elliott Eisner’s work on program

audience member and hear what he had to say. His ‘ethic of care’

evaluation as connoisseurship. This notion of knowing ‘it’ when you

taught me the importance of acknowledging others’ contributions,

experienced excellence always stuck with me and empowered me

rather than having to be the one in the spotlight. I only wish I had

to embrace what I felt and sensed in various situations. It is a tech-

the chance to tell him how much this experience increased my re-

nique that I use to this day. He challenged us to embrace the artistry

spect for him as a person.”

in our work as educators rather than relying only on streamlined, quantitative approaches. Today’s educational policy makers could

Northern Kentucky University Dean of Education and Human Ser-

learn a thing or two if they were to read his writings.”

vices Cindy Reed had similar sentiments. “John’s wisdom and insights always resonated with me, especially in terms of how I think

JOHN AND ELLIOT, WE WILL MISS YOU

about the impact we can and should have with our partner school

Both great men, Goodlad and Eisner, reminded us that, as educators,

systems and the greater community. He will be greatly missed, but

we have both the privilege and responsibility of making signifi-

fortunately, his words will live on for decades to come.”

cant change for humankind. Regarding this daunting responsibility, Goodlad posited that the quality of our engagement is more import-

ELLIOT EISNER

ant than the quantity of our efforts.

Elliot Eisner passed away in January at the age of 80. Eisner’s focus was to promote ways that the arts could benefit student learning

“We must not stop with providing only time,” he said. “I would al-

and educational practice. Eisner avoided the more popular argu-

ways choose fewer hours well-used over more hours of engagement

ment for the arts, such as its utility in boosting standardized test

with sterile activities. Increasing [time] will, in fact, be counter-

scores in STEM subject areas (science, technology, engineering and

productive unless there is, simultaneously, marked improvement

mathematics). Rather, he proclaimed the absolute necessity of arts

in how time is used” (A Place Called School).

for human growth and community.

Eisner (1998) repeatedly reminded us of our noble, complex profes“One of the casualties of our preoccupation with test scores is the

sion. “Education will not have permanent solutions to its problems;

presence—or should I say the absence—of arts in our schools. When

we will have no ’breakthroughs,’ no enduring discoveries that will

they do appear, they are usually treated as ornamental rather than

work forever,” he said. “What works here may not work there. What

substantive aspects of our children’s school experience. The arts are

works now many not work then. We are not trying to invent radar

considered nice but not necessary” (Los Angeles Times, 2005).

or measure the rate of free fall in a vacuum. Our tasks are impacted by context, riddled with unpredictable contingencies, responsive to

Gabert remembers that Eisner carried this indomitable fervor and

local conditions and shaped by those we teach... Those who want

contagious enthusiasm in his speech at the Brock Prize Sympo-

something easier to do for a career should go into medicine” (The

sium, which was held in Stillwater that year. “I never realized the

Kind of Schools We Need).

strong connection of art to professional education, but Eisner made it sound so wonderful that I, myself, came to have a better under-

Each in their own right, John Goodlad and Elliot Eisner both had a

standing of art in education because of his visit to Oklahoma.”

profound impact on education and in the lives of those who knew them. They left their mark on the world as educators, and remind-

Autumn Tooms Cyprès reflected on the meaningful application

ed us that our roles hold significance for individuals, schools and

of Eisner’s vision. “I have learned from my 25 years in education

communities as a whole. Of all things that could be said about these

that the work of painting, creating and escaping into the process

inspiring men, one holds most true: John Goodland and Elliot Eisner, you will be greatly missed.

JOIN THE BROCK PRIZE EMAIL LIST AT

Dr. Ed Harris is the current Administrator and Chair of the Executive Com-

WWW.BROCKPRIZE.ORG, or follow them on social media:

mittee for the Brock International Prize in Education, as well as the Professor

/brockprize

@brockprize

/brockprize

and Williams Chair of Educational Leadership at Oklahoma State University.

During his 25 years at OSU, he has served as Associate Dean of Administrative Affairs; Director of Research, Extension, Technology and International Programs and Coordinator of EDLE Domestic and International Cohorts.

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