spring
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08 The Actors’ 12 Range “Mickey Mouse” 16 The Leadership Mentality Q&A Drew Perkins
Drew Perkins:
a leader in film
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TrendingNow The Circle® is a publication of Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation, Inc., and it has been published since 1923.
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Publisher
Tara S. Singer, Ed.D., President and CEO University of Louisville
Editor in Chief
Katy Datz, Vice President for External Relations Roanoke College
Creative Director
Amy A. Newman, PUSH design LLC Matthew Clifford, Ed.D., Board Chair Davidson College The Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational
Foundation, Inc., the National Leadership Honor Society for college students, recognizes and encourages superior
O∆K HOSTED ITS NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE ON THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020. The Adelphi University Circle focused on the creative arts phase for their service project. They made outlined drawings to build a collaborative coloring book. In addition to creating the coloring book, members will produce many photocopies of the coloring book to donate it, as well as crayons, to a children’s ward at a local hospital in the community. One member said, “at this time, creating drawings will help us to relax as O∆K members, and we will gain peace of mind in knowing that we are helping to make a child’s life a little brighter and more positive.” The Western Colorado University Circle chose different activities to partake in from their homes, during physical distancing, to honor the Day of Service. Members downloaded the HowWeFeel app to donate meals through Feeding America and encouraged others to do the same. Other members made mask covers to make nurses’ N95 masks last longer. Additionally, one member took an online suicide prevention course. Further service included filling more than 100 online orders at the local grocery store, cleaning up trash, making a thank you banner for CareFlight paramedics, walking neighbors’ dogs, and writing cards to a nursing home and hospital staff around the country.
scholarship, leadership, and exemplary character. O∆K was
founded December 3, 1914, at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va. by 15 student and faculty leaders. Omicron Delta Kappa was the first college honor society of a national scope to give recognition for meritorious leadership and
service in extracurricular activities; membership in Omicron
Delta Kappa continues to be a mark of highest distinction and honor. The Society is now present on the campuses of more than 300 colleges and universities around the country.
Editor’s Note: Omicron Delta Kappa recognizes and celebrates an average of 8,000 collegiate leaders each year who excel in areas such as scholarship, athletics, service, communications, and the arts. For this issue of The Circle, we have chosen to highlight members who excel in creative and performing arts. With more than 320,000 living members, we are proud to feature some of the best in the field. The Circle Spring 2020 | 3
board chair’s letter
Leading During Crisis A message from the Board Chair Dear Member, Usually, when I sit down to draft this column, I am sitting in my office on the campus of Wake Forest University. From my office, I can see people walking down Faculty Drive, the row of homes where many faculty and staff live, within earshot of campus. On a sunny Friday, I can hear students enjoying their time outside and understandably avoiding classwork from my office. I stopped by my office yesterday to collect a few things, and our usually vibrant campus was quiet and reserved. Today, I am writing from my home where my wife and our four children are spending the majority of our time as the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 crisis unfolds. The impact of this health situation on the world and our country is profound. Higher education, with its normal closeness of people in classrooms, residence halls, and athletic facilities, has had to make significant adjustments. My faculty colleagues have adapted by teaching their classes strictly online. Those of us who work in student affairs have been tasked with the sad but necessary activity of sending many of our students home for the rest of the semester. However, we are also doing our best to take care of those students remaining in our residence halls because being on campus posed a lesser risk to them or their families. April and May are usually months filled with special events, end-of-the-year celebrations, and commencement. In so many years, I have spent each afternoon and evening of the spring semester going from one activity to another as our campus community spends time honoring the accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni. University commencements are my favorite occasions. They are events filled with joy, celebration, and promise. Each notice of a commencement cancellation has pained me. The pace of a traditional spring term is sometimes overwhelming, but I can assure you that I now miss it. 4 | odk.org
This global health crisis has also had a significant impact on Omicron Delta Kappa. As you may know, the 2020 National Leadership Conference has been canceled. The staff at our National Headquarters has been primarily working remotely since March 18. This issue of The Circle is a strictly online publication. More significantly, many circles have canceled or indefinitely postponed their spring initiation ceremonies. We are very sad that our Society will not have the opportunity to recognize numerous collegiate members for their leadership achievements. We have appreciated those circles that held virtual initiation ceremonies, and we are excited about the national initiation ceremonies which have been planned. However, with the loss of membership revenue, our national organization will be impacted for quite some time. We are also aware that with the changes in the economy, there will be numerous future candidates for membership who may not be able to afford to join O∆K. As a national organization, we are also concerned about the availability of dollars for students who wish to continue their educations through graduate and professional studies. If you are in the position to make a gift, please let me encourage you to designate your support for O∆K’s scholarship and gift-of-membership programs. I know that each of you is leading in your community during this unprecedented time. Thank you for your service to our Society and society-at-large as we embrace the challenges ahead. Yours in Leadership,
Matthew W. Clifford, Ed.D. Chair, Board of Trustees
Contents EDUCATOR, ATTORNEY, AND AUTHOR
Jim Vickrey
James F. (Jim) Vickrey (Auburn University, 1962) continues to be actively involved as an educator, attorney, and author. Since receiving his undergraduate degree, he earned both his Ph.D. and J.D., taught at six universities, and served as the president of the University of Montevallo. Vickrey has remained an engaged member of O∆K by supporting the funding for the James E. Foy Lobby at the National Headquarters and the Katharine Cater (Auburn University) Scholarship. Since his retirement from Troy University in 2014, Vickrey has authored three books, and he is working on a fourth on the topic of race. His most recent work is a memoir and history of Western movies which is entitled, ROY, “ROCKY” & RED RYDER; “HOPPY,” DURANGO & MO[O] RE (Dorrance Publishing, 2019). The book includes Vickrey’s personal reflections of the impact of Western, and particularly B-Western, movies on his life and the lessons learned by watching these movies at venues such as The Strand and The Bijou in his native Alabama.
On the Cover: Drew Perkins, a leader in film.
06
Member News
08
Q&A with Drew Perkins
11
Awards, outstanding students, presidential appointments, and more
A conversation with an Emmy
award-winning producer and director
In Your Words Taking One for the Team Janet Hirsch
12
The Actors’ Range
14 16
Campus News
19
Supporting Scholarships and our Students
20
Being an actor involves a range of talent and opportunities to perform in a variety of roles
Circles making a difference
The “Mickey Mouse” Leadership Mentality O∆K members using their strong vision and unique perspective to permeate a legacy of greatness
Helping the community leaders of tomorrow to reach their potential
Once Upon a Time... in West Hollywood Insights from communications expert Steve Rohr
The Circle Spring 2020 | 5
O∆K MEMBER NEWS ROSSELLA GABRIELE SELECTED AS A
Rhodes Scholar
R
ossella Gabriele, a 2019 magna cum laude graduate of Washington and Lee University, has been selected as a Rhodes Scholar. Rossella graduated in May 2019 with a Bachelor of Science with a double major in physics and global politics. She plans to pursue master’s degrees in both social data science and global governance and diplomacy at Oxford. While at W&L, she was the president of the Alpha Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, co-founder and president of the campus chapter of Amnesty International, vice president of the College Democrats, outreach chair of the Alexander Hamilton Society, and editor of the Political Review. She also served her alma mater as a residential advisor and peer tutor. Rossella was awarded the Christopher Noland Student Activities Leadership Award and was named Student Leader of the Year in 2018, and she received the 2019 American Academy of Poets Poetry Prize. She is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society.
MEMBER NAMED WAFFLE HOUSE
Poet Laureate
K
aren Head (Oglethorpe University, 1997) is the Poet Laureate for Waffle House. Karen, who is also an associate professor at Georgia Tech, has long been a fan of the restaurant. She’s written numerous poems sitting in the chain’s restaurants around the country. She is also currently serving as the editor of Atlanta Review, an international poetry journal. In her role as the Waffle House Poet Laureate, Karen has toured the state discussing poetry and promoting college access for under-served students in Georgia high schools.
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member news
IN MEMORIAM:
Dr. Dacho Dachoff
D
r. Dacho Dachoff (Wayne State University, 1946) passed away on September 3, 2019. Dr. Dachoff served Omicron Delta Kappa in many capacities. He was an advisor for the Wayne State University and Ferris State University circles. In addition, he was also an editor of The Circle and a 1972 recipient of the Society’s Meritorious Service Award. Dr. Dachoff was presented with O∆K’s Distinguished Service Key in 1978. Dr. Dachoff earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from Wayne State University. He began his career at Highland Park High School, where he was the conductor and director of the orchestra. At Ferris State, Dr. Dachoff was credited with the establishment of the university’s music program. He served as director of bands (marching, concert, and pop), founded and directed the College Community Orchestra, Ferris Community Summer Band, and the Men’s Glee Club. As a professor, he taught classes in humanities, music literature, and music appreciation. During his time in Big Rapids, Dr. Dachoff was involved with the Festival of Arts, the Ferris State University Art Gallery, the Carillon Tower, and the Commissioning of the Composition (1956-59) of the Ferris Fight Song, Fighting Bulldogs, and the Ferris Alma Mater, Ferris Fidelity. He served as special assistant to the president for the arts at FSU, chairman of the first-ever presidential search committee, project director for the all-college student government Woodbridge N. Ferris centennial year sculpture project, and chairman of the Mecosta County United Fund. After retiring from Ferris in 1984, he and his wife Ruth moved to Sarasota, Florida, where he played viola in the Florida West Coast Symphony Orchestra, now known as Sarasota Orchestra.
Congratulations
HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERS • Rachel Aho (Concordia
• Daniel F. Mahony
• Marc Conner (Washington and Lee University, 2006), a former advisor for the Alpha Circle at W&L, has been selected as the new president of Skidmore College. He will start on July 1, 2020.
• Vicki L. Walker
• Paul R. Bennion (The
• Dwuan J. Warmack
College, 2008), Willie Banks (University of Georgia, 2002), Matthew Bosch (Elon University, 2019), Kimberly Griffin (University of Maryland, College Park, 2000), and Kristan Skendall (Georgetown University, 2004) have been honored by ACPA as 2020 Diamond Honorees.
College of Idaho, 2004), John Wesley Lowery (University of South Carolina, Columbia, 1992), and Daniel M. Maxwell (University of Houston, Clear Lake, 2019) have been honored as 2020 NASPA Pillars of the Profession.
(Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1985), previously president of Winthrop University, was selected to lead the Southern Illinois University System. He assumed his new responsibilities on March 1, 2020. (Virginia Commonwealth University, 1990) has been named president of Chamberlain University, a predominantly online institution with a significant emphasis on nursing education. (Delta State University, 2000) was inaugurated as president of Claflin University in March. The theme for his inauguration was “Building on the Past, While Transcending Into the Future.” The Circle • Spring 2020 | 7
QA &
with Drew Perkins
BACKGROUND
Drew Perkins (Washington and Lee University, 1984) is an Emmy award-winning producer and director with more than 60 broadcast documentaries to his credit. His extensive career includes directing and producing films covering a wide range of topics, including public affairs, aviation, and civil rights. Drew is the founder and president of Rubicon Productions, Inc., a groundbreaking documentary film company known for its focus on historically significant stories. Rubicon films have aired on PBS, the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, and various international television channels. One of Rubicon’s pivotal films was the critically acclaimed PBS film, The Tuskegee Airmen, which documented the history of the famed World War II airmen who broke the color barrier. The Tuskegee Airmen film opened doors for Rubicon and led to Drew’s directing several more films based on historical civil rights organizations and achievements.
Q:
Your first career was as a history teacher. How did you make the transition to becoming a documentary film producer?
Teaching history was special for me. I was young, energetic, and wanted to make it come alive in class. My love for history is real. Most people think I had a master plan to transition from history teacher to producer/director of historical documentaries. That was not the case. I had a bunch of soul-searching to do first. After teaching, I enrolled in a graduate program at Georgetown University. One 8 | odk.org
day I took a job as a production assistant on a film shoot. Though my responsibilities only involved fetching coffee and operating the fog machine, this was a big day for me. They were filming a historical re-creation for the National Archives with actors, lights, and period costumes. BAM! It hit me. I had studied history and theater, and I had a great passion for both. I finally found a place where they came together – historical documentaries. I then knew what I wanted to do and thus started that journey.
Q:
What have you considered to be the biggest challenges in your career?
Raising money for a documentary film is always a challenge. My fundamental goal is to make a film that can make a difference. So when I get such an idea, I first have to harness my creative energies and say to myself, “Is there anybody out there who might be interested in paying for this?” I then come up with some potential funders and hit the road making presentations in trying to sell the film. This process can take a long time, and I don’t always find financial supporters. However, sometimes, I get lucky. The PBS film I made about the Tuskegee Airmen is the perfect example. When Alabama Power said it was willing to underwrite the project, I remember calling Col. Carter, one of the very first Tuskegee Airmen. After telling him Alabama Power was on board, there was silence on the phone. I could tell he was emotional. Here was a fighter pilot who had flown combat missions over North Africa and Europe on the phone with me, fighting back tears, because somebody believed that what he and his fellow airmen had accomplished was worthy of a documentary
Q &A
Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State, was interviewed by Drew Perkins for Building the Dream, the story of the 27-year challenge in building the memorial celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
film. I spent a week with the Tuskegee Airmen, and it changed my life. I can proudly say that the film did make a difference because several government officials told me later that when they were considering building a Tuskegee Airmen national park, they watched my film. Helping the Tuskegee Airmen, true American heroes, get the recognition they deserve remains one of my favorite accomplishments.
Q:
You are based in Maryland, but do you ever make it to Hollywood?
I do get out to Hollywood, the mothership of movie-making, on occasion. For me, when I am in Hollywood, I always have a “what if” moment. What if I had chosen to make feature films instead of documentaries? Could I do it? Would I be any good? My eldest son is at NYU studying film, and I am pretty sure he’s not going to make documentaries. When I mention Los Angeles to him, he gets that Hollywood glow in his eyes that people have been getting for almost a hundred years.
Q:
If you could do a documentary about anyone – who would it be and why?
I’ve wanted to make a Thurgood Marshall documentary for years. There have been other documentaries made about him and even a feature film – all of which are good. But, I do not feel any of them adequately address the multiple layers of his life and the full extent of his contributions to our nation. There is an argument to be said that he contributed as much to the civil rights movement as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. However, Marshall chose the courts for his battles rather than being in the limelight.
A few years back, I was making a film about the history of Alpha Phi Alpha, the oldest African American fraternity whose members included Marshall. I had the distinct honor of interviewing the historian John Hope Franklin, who was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha. Franklin told me a story about a phone call he received one day from Marshall telling him to get to Washington fast. Franklin was needed to conduct research and help write briefs for an important court case that Marshall was about to argue – Brown v. the Board of Education. This revelation was a special moment for me. It put a human context to the famous decision with two men, friends and fraternity brothers, coming together to figure out a way to make this country a better place. From that moment, I have wanted to incorporate that story, along with others I have learned about Marshall, in a film.
Q:
What is your philosophy of leadership?
My philosophy of leadership is attributed to having two ears. While growing up, in one ear, my mother would always quote Shakespeare “This, above all else, to thine own self be true.” In my other ear, my father would say, “Remember who you are.” The message from both sayings is the same, “Do the right thing and be honest to yourself and with the people around you.” These are fundamental truths to which all leaders should adhere. You cannot be a leader and ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. You cannot lead people down a path that you don’t believe is the right direction.
The Circle • Spring 2020 | 9
Q:
Is there a particular leader you admire? If so, who and why?
The real test of a leader is having the ability to own making a mistake, which is one of the reasons I admired Senator J. William Fulbright (D-Ark.) about whom I made a documentary. He was a country boy from Arkansas who received a Rhodes scholarship, earned a master’s degree, and then a law degree. He was a college president. He was the brains behind the Fulbright scholarship program. In the 1950s, he made poor decisions on civil rights issues. Later in life, he stepped up and said he was wrong. He admitted putting politics ahead of his brain and heart. In 1964, Fulbright ushered the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution through the Senate, which escalated the war in Vietnam. Two years later, he realized he had made a mistake and began holding hearings on the war. In doing so, he stood against his party, his good friend President Johnson, and a large part of the American population. To me, whether one agreed with his positions or not, Fulbright represented the epitome of leadership by admitting mistakes and being brave enough to stand alone.
Q:
What about leadership, as an artist or creative individual, translates to other opportunities to lead and serve?
In my business, the first part of being a leader is telling the truth. The television audience is huge, and way too
many people believe that if it is on television, it must be true. That premise is simply wrong. Just as a teacher leads a classroom, a documentarian must speak the truth. My wife and I were at a party recently. At one point, I overheard a conversation about a particular historical figure. The person talking had just watched a highly-sensationalized documentary on this individual. The person speaking was rolling off comments about this historical figure, almost as if we were in a lecture hall. The problem was that none of it was true. Purely by coincidence, I knew much about the life of the historical figure being discussed. One of my projects had led me to research this person thoroughly, and I had even interviewed many of his biographers, including a Pulitzer Prize winning author. It is important for my colleagues and me to be accurate and factual in telling the stories of the individuals we profile.
Q:
What’s next for you?
As long as people keep liking my work, I will continue to make historical documentaries. I genuinely enjoy what I do as a storyteller. In the ancient days, somebody was given the job to learn and memorize the history and then tell it over and over so the next generation could continue the tradition. What I do is not much different. I preserve history by telling stories. The only real difference is I get to use books, cameras, lights, music, and a touch of creativity to tell historical stories. â—?
Drew Perkins and his producing partner Nicholas Carter stand in front of the marquis for the opening of Racing the Times, a 2013 documentary about the history of the horse racing industry in Maryland.
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in your words
Taking One For the Team by Janis Hirsch
I
n the summer of 1997, I started what would become the best job I’ve ever had. But it sure didn’t start out that way.
The job was as the co-executive producer and writer on the final season of “Murphy Brown,” first incarnation. I had long loved the show and its star Candice Bergen. I couldn’t believe my good fortune. I was working with a group of writers I hadn’t known, but all these years later, I still count as friends. Oh, and I was working at Warner Brothers; so, at lunch, I could walk past the “Back to the Future” clock tower or sit in the “Music Man” square. I regularly bumped into a cast member of “Friends” on my way to lunch. Yes, this was a good job. This time was the tenth year of “Murphy Brown,” so Candice had seen dozens of writers come and go. She wasn’t in a hurry to pal around; she’d see how well we wrote for the show before bringing us into her figurative embrace. I wrote and rewrote my first episode, and then the entire writing staff pitched in to make it even better. I was thrilled with the outcome, but my boss? Not so much. For reasons she never shared, she rewrote my entire script, but because she was my boss, I said, “thank you,” and we went down to the stage for the reading.
The actors gathered around a table; the writers, the production team, studio, and network executives sat in a circle around them. After the reading, the actors headed to their dressing rooms. Well, not all the actors. Candice Bergen stayed behind. I was gathering my things when Candice approached. She stayed about six feet away from me, looked directly at me with those startling blue eyes, and said, “I don’t think you understand our show.” The entire stage went quiet. She talked to me in measured tones for what felt like an eternity but was probably no more than ten minutes and told me page by page and sometimes line by line all the things I’d gotten wrong. What I wanted to say “But that’s not the script I wrote, I was completely rewritten!” but instead, I listened, nodded, and took copious notes. She turned and walked away, leaving me mortified, surrounded by my fellow writers and by the executives who signed my paycheck. I knew, my fellow writers knew, that the script I’d written had none of the problems the script we read had. But my job wasn’t to make excuses or lay blame. My job was to serve the show and the star, period. We got to work rewriting the script. The person who was responsible for
the draft that caused all that agony never said anything, so I didn’t either. I knew, and she knew, and that would have to be enough. The next day, Candice called me down to the set. You never want the star to call you down to the set. I went, mentally packing up my office as I did. This elegant movie star took me aside and said, “My assistant slipped me the draft that you originally wrote. It was wonderful – so funny, so smart, so ‘Murphy Brown.’ I realized that you’d been thrown under the bus. And yet, you didn’t throw anyone else under the bus. I hope you will accept my deepest apologies.” I smiled and nodded, she smiled and nodded, and we both went back to work, not just as colleagues but as friends. Sometimes, you just have to take one for the team. There’s an old joke about a man whose sole job at the circus is to clean up behind the elephants. When a friend sees this, he’s incredulous. Surely, there is something else on this earth that he could do for a living! The guy with shovel looks at him and says, “What? And quit show business?” Sometimes you’re the elephant, and sometimes, you’re the little guy bringing up the rear. ● The Circle • Spring 2020 | 11
Actors’
THE
RANGE
by Tara S. Singer, Ed.D. eing an actor involves a range of talent to perform in a variety of roles. Three members of O∆K are actors who well-represent the unique types of professional roles one might find in Hollywood and elsewhere.
Local News, National Movies You don’t have to live in Hollywood to work in the entertainment industry. Sometimes an actor may find work in his or her backyard. Karin Boesler (Kent State University, 1987) is an actress and Emmy-award winning reporter. As an undergraduate, Boesler was a member of the Kent State University Symphonic Orchestra, coordinated the university’s legendary Black Squirrel Festival, performed in theater productions, and was active in residence hall governance.
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After earning a Bachelor of Arts, Boesler worked for WUAB-TV, where she produced and was featured in The Can Do Kids (1992) and Silence the Violence (1994). Both pieces were recognized with Emmy’s for community service/news reports. Boesler said she took pride in these pieces because they provided information about “how to get help if you are a victim of violence, how to report it, and what can be done to prevent it.”
Boesler began appearing in films in the 1990s. Her first film was It Runs in the Family (My Summer Story), a 1994 sequel to A Christmas Story. She was also a member of the cast for Cleveland Abduction (2015), The Land (2016), and Fate of The Furious (2017). Boesler’s latest film, part of the American Crime Drama series, was in White Boy Rick (2018). One of the highlights of Boesler’s career to date was having the opportunity to act with John Travolta in Criminal Activities (2015). When asked what it is like to work with celebrities, Boesler said, “I always take away from all of these experiences. To watch these folks in action, it’s a wonderful opportunity to learn.” As an actor, Boesler notes that acting requires leadership skills. “You have to be your own boss, and you have to show how you stand out from the crowd if you want to be cast for a role. You also have to have the professional qualities of being on time, reliable, and prepared.”
Falling Down is the Easy Part For professional stuntman Alex Daniels, falling down without hurting himself is not only a professional skill, but it is also a metaphor for having a career in Hollywood. It’s a career full of ups and downs, and he acknowledges having experienced both.
Dancing One’s Way to Stardom Tallie L. Brinson, who grew up in Atlanta, was a charter member of the Florida A&M University Circle when it was installed in 2008. As a student, he played trombone in the university’s marching band and was a member of the Strikers Dance Troupe. He led the Strikers All-Stars during their performance on MTV’s American Best Dance Crew. The group was a topfour finalist in that season. After graduating from FAMU and building upon his success with MTV, Brinson decided to follow his dream of becoming a professional entertainer. Upon moving to Hollywood, Brinson started acting school and began auditioning for roles as an actor and dancer. He has been in five feature films, and he directed, filmed, and edited the short films Joey’s Poison and Food for Thought. In 2018, Brinson performed with Beyoncé at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Her performances showcased the cultural traditions of HBCU institutions, including a full African American marching band playing throughout much of the concert. Brinson was a dancer in the featured step show. The performance was recorded as a Netflix concert film, Homecoming (2019), and live album.
Daniels, a 1976 initiate of the University of South Carolina Circle, has been working in the entertainment industry almost since his graduation. He was on his way to Hollywood shortly after college, but he had to go to Mexico first. Daniels met Helen Hayes when he escorted her around campus on a visit to South Carolina. Hayes was involved with the Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos orphanage in the village of Miacatlán, and she encouraged Daniels to go there after graduation to help start a musical theater program for the children. He had planned to stay only a few months but ended up staying for two and a half years. When Daniels first moved to Los Angeles in 1981, he thought he was going to have a career in musical theater. One of his first performances was in Annie in San Bernardino, which led to him earning his equity card, an essential for an acting professional. When asked how he came to his current professional roles and responsibilities, Daniels said, “God opened the doors, and it’s where I ended up.” Daniels spent many years working as David Hasselhoff’s stunt double in Baywatch. He also had roles in
the Batman movies portraying the caped-crusader. That role led to Daniels’ involvement in designing and directing the Batman shows for the Six Flags theme parks. His other stuntman and stunt coordinator credits including Spanglish, Borat, Rush Hour 2, Conan the Barbarian, Lethal Weapon, and Hangover. Daniels recently wrapped up serving as the stunt coordinator for season six of Bosch and the fourth season of Veronica Mars. Currently, Daniels is the president of The Stuntmen’s Association of Motion Pictures and a member of the Directors Guild of America. He is also the CEO of Frog Prince Productions. This spring, Daniels spoke to a gathering of theater students and faculty members at Concordia University Irvine about his experiences. He provided instruction in falling, fighting, and failing in Hollywood without getting hurt. His wife, Carolyn Sapp Daniels (Concordia
University Irvine, 2020), who was Miss America in 1992, also presented on the same day as an advocate for raising awareness about domestic abuse. When asked about his advice to any young or emerging leader or actor, Daniels said, “Just be present. Just be there. Just listen.” It’s good advice for all of us. ● The Circle • Spring 2020 | 13
CIRCLES MAKING A DIFFERENCE AUSTIN PEAY STATE UNIVERSITY CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE The Austin Peay State University Circle sponsors an annual Breakfast Brain Break each semester during final exams providing free bagels, pastries, coffee, and hot chocolate to students. Serving as site leaders and volunteers, members of the APSU Circle participate in the campus day of service. Additionally, during the spring 2019 semester, the circle targeted key faculty and staff leaders on campus who were not O∆K members for membership, initiating the university vice president for external relations, deans of various colleges, the director of the president’s emerging leaders program, and the director of the African American cultural center.
BERRY COLLEGE MOUNT BERRY, GEORGIA The Berry College Circle works to promote and recognize leadership across many areas of campus through inductions, awards, and other initiatives. Additionally, the circle seeks to connect students with faculty and staff through its sponsorship of the annual O∆K faculty and staff fundraising auction. In spring 2019, the circle hosted the third annual Last Lecture program, featuring Economics Professor Dr. Brian Meehan, whose presentation was entitled “The economics of murder, voting and football helmets: simple economic concepts applied to unusual topics.” The event drew approximately 60 students and was part of the college’s cultural event series.
CUMBERLAND UNIVERSITY LEBANON, TENNESSEE The Cumberland University Circle engaged in community service opportunities and two special events last year. In April 2019, O∆K was incorporated into the university’s first founder’s day celebration. The campus-wide celebration culminated with a formal ceremony that concluded with a spring induction ceremony. In May 2019, members of O∆K hosted the summer on-campus Leadership Academy.
EMORY UNIVERSITY ATLANTA, GEORGIA Each year, the Emory University Circle engages with Phi Eta Sigma to host a program called Mentorship Night. This program places first and second year students with O∆K members to discuss campus engagement. Students are paired based on the areas of leadership that the O∆K members have served in and the interests of the Phi Eta Sigma members. This event seeks to engage with Phi Eta Sigma students and provide a network to promote involvement with campus scholarship and leadership as they move forward in their time on campus. For O∆K members, it serves as an opportunity to reflect on leadership and contribute to the sustained growth of leadership through engagement with first-year students.
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FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY MIAMI, FLORIDA For the Florida International University Circle, it is a goal to at least have one or more service events every month within the academic year to remind members and the campus community what O∆K stands for. In the past year, members decorated luminaries for Relay for Life, wrote letters to patients in a local children’s hospital, and created “Cranes for Cancer” to build origami cranes to symbolize hope for cancer patients. Finally, the FIU Circle planned “Thriving in the 305,” its first annual leadership dinner which featured a panel of successful leaders from different backgrounds and careers.
circle news LOYOLA UNIVERSITY NEW ORLEANS NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA The Loyola University New Orleans Circle hosts the annual Magis Student Leadership Awards. The circle also plans a service event every semester on campus. In the past, members of the circle have made toys for dogs and cats, collected blankets for the less fortunate, held a food drive, and purchased toys for children in foster care. The circle mentors a first-year living community that is focused on emerging leadership and provides a finals dinner for participants every semester, writes encouraging letters to the first-year students during academic advising, and participates in joint service programs. The circle also holds a Career Center Day and a Fellowships and Scholarships Day for members to hone plans for both networking and scholarship applications.
MISSOURI SOUTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY JOPLIN, MISSOURI
MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE SIOUX CITY, IOWA
The Missouri Southern State University Circle is a diverse group of student leaders. The circle meets biweekly to work on service projects and discuss topics of interest. Each fall, members participate in the university’s homecoming activities and the One Warm Coat service project. In the spring, members of the circle coordinate the Glenn Dolence Leadership and Service Awards, which are given to graduating seniors who have been in leadership positions and involved in service at the university.
Last year, the Morningside College Circle sponsored six separate events. The circle’s annual marquee event is “Into the Streets,” during which approximately 900 students, faculty, and staff participate in volunteer work throughout the Siouxland community. One of the oldest events hosted by the Morningside College Circle is the annual Faculty Appreciation Dinner. O∆K members prepare the menu, cook all the food, and provide entertainment. The circle also experimented with a new event, the first-ever Learning College Early, which involved members of the circle visiting four area high schools to introduce various aspects of college to high school freshmen.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND Each year, the Sigma Circle sponsors three leadership award programs, including the Top Ten Freshmen, Sophomore Leader of the Year, and the Col. J. Logan Schutz Omicron Delta Kappa Leader of the Year award. The Sigma Circle also coordinates the annual campus awards banquet and a game for kids at the O∆K Fountain during Maryland Day, a campus open house for more than 80,000 visitors and community members. This year, the Sigma Circle co-sponsored an on-campus appearance by Aly Raisman, the U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast. Raisman spoke on the challenges that come with being an elite athlete, her advocacy efforts surrounding sexual abuse, and her partnership with the leading non-profit Darkness to Light.
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA In November of 2020, legendary football coach Frank Beamer was interviewed by O∆K President/ CEO Tara Singer at an event hosted by the Virginia Tech Circle. Coach Beamer is a 1967 collegiate initiate of the circle. They discussed the coach’s leadership philosophy, his career at the school, and leadership lessons from athletics.
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY DAYTON, OHIO
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON HOUSTON, TEXAS The University of Houston Circle aims to promote the professional and personal development of campus leaders. The circle’s monthly meetings feature speakers such as industry experts or representatives from different campus departments to speak on a variety of topics interesting to members. In the fall semester, circle members partner with the Honors College and the Together We Rise organization to provide supplies to foster care children. As a second service activity, circle members partner with Books for Development to package donated books to be shipped to libraries in Africa in the spring.
The Wright State University Circle held its 15th annual Leader to Leader Conference for students to attend and improve their leadership skills in February 2020. The theme for the conference was “The Purpose of Leadership,” with speakers presenting on topics surrounding this theme. The conference sessions were designed to help students develop additional leadership skills and success within a rapidly evolving new world. The Circle • Spring 2020 | 15
THE
“Mickey Mouse” LEADERSHIP MENTALITY by Dana Sobel
isney is at the forefront of family entertainment, and working for this prestigious company requires a clearly defined leadership philosophy. Numerous members of Omicron Delta Kappa work for The Walt Disney Company in a variety of ways and use their strong vision and unique perspective to permeate a legacy of greatness. For these Society members, a focal point for their leadership philosophy is to inspire others to surpass their most ambitious goals, just as Disney continues to exceed the public’s expectations as an organization.
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I strive to instill that passion in others and make them even better than they think they can be. With good leadership, you can have your team exceed their potential, and therefore end up creating better products or better services. —Jim Jimirro
Jim Jimirro (Pennsylvania State University, 1957), the
founding president of The Disney Channel, spearheaded the home video and media revolution. His innovations within Disney catalyzed the mass satellite distribution of television shows and movies that the public watches today. Jimirro acknowledged he believes in a “football coach” leadership style. Jimirro said, “I am a passionate person...I strive to instill that passion in others and make them even better than they think they can be. With good leadership, you can have your team exceed their potential, and therefore end up creating better products or better services.” According to Jimirro, this philosophy of prioritizing customer service allowed for success at Disney. With enthusiastic and encouraging leadership, employees can exceed their most aggressive goals and keep the organization reaching toward future success. “As we used to say, when you work at Disney, your life goals and career goals can be the same.”
the best in their field. This includes architects, engineers, special effects designers, writers, show lighting designers, to name just a few. There is also a culture of excellence that runs throughout the entire company.” According to Accardi, the company environment allows the team members to work seamlessly together to achieve common goals and produce the attractions that make staying at Disney Hotels and Resorts an extremely enjoyable experience. In regards to her leadership philosophy, Accardi shared,
“Servant leadership is a model I use in all situations… leaders are not the ones who get everything done – they create environments and team cultures that help the TEAM get everything done.”
Darcy Accardi (Towson University, 2008) is a senior
project planner within Walt Disney Imagineering. This department primarily develops new restaurants, hotels, cruise ships, and other attractions for Disney Resorts. In her role, Accardi integrates and coordinates ideas from her team to “make a creative vision a reality.” One of her greatest achievements as a leader within the Imagineering unit was managing the Pixar Pier project and opening Disney California Adventure Park. Her efforts have directly led to the installation of new, innovative locations for Disney enthusiasts and vacation-goers. Accardi noted that the best aspect of working for Disney is the people she works with daily. She said, “I’m surrounded by extremely talented and creative individuals, who are all The Circle • Spring 2020 | 17
For Gilhooley, leadership is about development and change within herself and her employees. She stressed this point by saying, “Our job as leaders is to prepare the people underneath us. If you aren’t doing that, you aren’t actually leading.” Just as her advisors and faculty members in college provided support and guidance, she indicated that her job as a director is to lead her employees and guide them through the inevitable successes and failures that come with every major project. This support ensures the longevity of Disney as an innovative company.
I want to be known as a leader who cares, who inspires optimism, who brings energy to his relationships, a developer of people, imaginative, and someone who makes big contributions.
—Jim Howard
Jim Howard (University of Louisville, 1991) currently
works at Walt Disney Television as the director of people development. In this position, Howard helps employees learn new skills, improve team performance, and develop leaders through executive coaching. His role also allows him to host leadership institutes for high potential employees, thus allowing him to inspire others to exceed their potential. These gatherings highlight Howard’s inspiring leadership philosophy. He said, “I want to be known as a leader who cares, who inspires optimism, who brings energy to his relationships, a developer of people, imaginative, and someone who makes big contributions.” According to Howard, working for this company has taught him that leadership, both formal and informal, is all about dreaming big. Within his role with the company, Howard believes one of his greatest achievements was facilitating the integration of the Fox Entertainment Group into The Walt Disney Company. His impact on Disney has led to countless leaders learning from his own motivating leadership style.
Jessica Gilhooley (Williams Woods University,
2018) works as the director of paid media strategy for the Disney ABC Television Group. She has spent the majority of her career in the entertainment and media business in California. She noted that the amazing thing about her current job is the wonder associated with working with the franchise. Gilhooley said, “The product is so outstanding because it is Disney; to be part of something that is literally that magical is special. My kids know that Mickey Mouse is my boss, and they love it.” 18 | odk.org
Overall, working for Disney has taught Gilhooley that the growth of employees is imperative for success. She acknowledged that attending the Disney Leadership Institute solidified the fact that Disney wants its employees to succeed by providing them with numerous opportunities to grow. Her position empowers her to maintain a healthy work-life balance, which she notes is an anomaly in many fast-paced companies. By working for an organization that cares so deeply for the growth of her staff, Gilhooley acknowledged that this has influenced her desire to lead her team with the same level of zeal.
Many members of Omicron Delta Kappa are thriving in the entertainment industry, where their leadership and service both shine. Working at Disney has provided these talented individuals the ability to prosper in a culture of encouragement and excellence. With the commitment to reaching goals and empowering others, they continue to propel Disney forward as a trend-setting organization. ● Dana Sobel is a 2017 initiate of the Georgian Court University Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa. She will graduate from Montclair State University with her Master of Arts with a major in industrial organizational psychology in 2020.
SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS AND OUR
Students
The financial concerns of today’s college students are well documented. Many secure loans and work numerous hours each week in addition to attending class and contributing as leaders on campus. For the community leaders of tomorrow to reach their potential, O∆K seeks to support these students while they are the campus leaders of today. Scholarships are the primary method of directly supporting collegiate
members through philanthropy. Awards may be designated for collegiate members from specific circles, a geographic region of the country, or within specific academic disciplines or leadership areas. A gift of $25,000 endows a scholarship. A donor can also support the general scholarship fund with a gift of any amount. Several circles have minicampaigns underway to establish circle-specific endowments which provide scholarship and circle programming funds.
Are you interested in helping students continue their educations in graduate or professional school? Give now to the general
scholarship fund! With your partnership, O∆K distributes more than $40,000 annually in scholarships to deserving students. Scholarship contributions for outright support of students are always welcome and so is the creation of endowed scholarships.
odk.org/scholarships The Circle • Spring 2020 | 19
ONCE UPON A TIME... IN WEST
HOLLYWOOD by Tara S. Singer, Ed.D.
Steve Rohr
(Concordia College, 1991) has led something of a fairy tale life. Adopted shortly after birth by a Lutheran minister and his wife, raised in Montana, reconnected with his birth parents, educated in Minnesota and Arizona, and now running his own successful publicist agency in West Hollywood – Rohr’s leadership journey is fascinating. Today, he is a highly-regarded expert on communications who is also a best-selling author, professional speaker, and academic leader. Rohr regularly makes the point that being a successful leader is all about communication.
The Journey After graduating from Concordia, Rohr went to Arizona State University to study communication in graduate school. While at ASU, he secured a graduate assistantship coaching the speech team – an activity in which he participated at Concordia. He didn’t have a specific job in mind when he started his post-baccalaureate studies, but Rohr knew he wanted a career that would be both flexible and inspiring. Upon his arrival in the area, Rohr settled into his first apartment in West Hollywood. It is an area in greater Los
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Angeles, which is trendy, old school, and not filled with tourists. He noted, “I’ve moved around several parts of LA since but settled back in WeHo officially about ten years ago. It’s central, inclusive, and creative. It feels like home.” Rohr began his professional career as an intern at the local CBS affiliate. He got up well before dawn each day to work on the morning and midday shows. Although he had success in working in the news business, it became quickly apparent to Rohr that he was more interested in working in the creative arts and the entertainment industry.
behind the scenes
I believe no person is an island – especially not in my industry. It’s impossible to do my job without working with others, all the way from the smallest intern to the biggest star. To tell the stories we tell, at the level we tell them in this town, takes the proverbial village.
According to Rohr, he stumbled into his career of being a publicist. As he was getting started, he met Kristoff St. John, the late actor who starred in The Young and the Restless. St. John hired him for an initial two-week period. Within two weeks, Rohr had five more clients and set up an office. In the course of the next 15 years, he has represented actors, authors, and recording artists.
The Oscars Described as his annual season without sleep or sanity, Rohr served as the show publicist for the Academy Awards from 2015-19. In this four-month commitment each year, he managed all of the publicity for the telecast itself. However, more significantly, he was the individual who coordinated all of the news releases for the various nominees, award winners, and the films represented. In the course of getting ready for the annual show, Rohr would answer more than 8,500 emails a month. Rohr got his start with the Oscars through his position as Hal Holbrook’s publicist, a 2008 nominee for his role in Into the Wild. The Academy invited Rohr to attend the ceremony and assist Holbrook and his wife, the late actress Dixie Carter, throughout the show. The next year, he was asked to escort Sophia Loren. In his tenure as the show publicist, the Oscars had several controversies including those related to host selection or performance, political remarks from award winners, and mix-ups, including when it was incorrectly announced that La La Land was the 2017 winner for best picture, but the actual winner was Moonlight. Rohr said that working with the Oscars was an experience that reminded him of the importance of effective communications and solid leadership on a daily basis. He described the production as a “monumental undertaking,” which “takes thousands of people, working diligently and passionately toward a common goal. However, reaching that goal involves a multitude of moving parts – and each may require its own brand of leader.” Some of the other challenges faced in the production each year include attention to audience and other stakeholder impressions. Rohr noted, “Today, public perception can and does eclipse at odds with reality. You can never forget that. Shaping ‘the message’ is more challenging than ever because of the race to be ‘first.’”
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Part-Time Teacher, Full-Time Mentor One of what Rohr described as the joys of his current career is teaching and mentoring students who are interested in the fields of communications and entertainment. He said that one of the things he likes most is helping students and others address the anxiety experienced by many when it comes to public speaking.
In his latest book, “Scared Speechless: 9 Ways to Overcome Your Fears and Captivate Your Audience,” Rohr provided how-to instructions about being a successful speaker. His main piece of advice is, “Nerves are natural. It’s good to be nervous!” Rohr made the point that this is a natural reaction which one should not be ashamed of – in fact, he recommended channeling that anxiety into giving a speech that reflects one’s authentic self. Rohr noted that this likeability factor frequently has more to do with an audience’s reaction to or reception of a speaker. Rohr has also spoken on the topic of the different ways in which men and women communicate and why understanding the distinctions matter. He observed that women more frequently 22 | odk.org
talk through decisions, challenges, and opportunities, whereas men may process more internally. He also noted that there is a tendency for women to approach challenging discussions by asking questions to solicit input. Men, on the other hand, according to Rohr, make statements and await others to respond or react.
Leader Communications As was previously stated, Rohr strongly believes in the connection between communication and leadership. He said, “Effective communication is vital to great leadership – and its multi-fold. As a leader, you have to understand yourself as much as those on your team. If you don’t go through what your team goes through, they won’t trust you. You also must be dialed-in to the stakeholders outside your office.” Rohr stressed the importance of collaboration in leadership. He said, “I believe no person is an island – especially not in my industry. It’s impossible to do my job without working with others, all the way from the smallest intern to the biggest star. To tell the stories we tell, at the level we tell them in this town, takes the proverbial village.” In addition to being clear and effective in one’s communications, leaders also need to have the ability to offer sincere apologies when necessary. Rohr said that the quality of the apology matters and that it is essential for the leader to remember that the apology is not about him or her, but that it is about the other person. The five basic components of a genuine relationship-restoring apology, according to Rohr, are saying “I’m sorry,” owning up to the mistake or wrong, telling the other person how you intend to repair or fix the situation, working
on re-building the relationship and re-establishing trust, and asking the other individual for forgiveness. Now that Rohr is no longer working on the Oscars, he has returned to focusing on his business as a publicist and teaching. In 2020, he is teaching at California State University Long Beach – notably a course on entertainment public relations. He also continues to write for Backstage (backstage.com), an online magazine for individuals working in the entertainment industry.
A New Reality and Grateful Living Like many in the world, Rohr and his colleagues have been adapting to the changes and challenges brought on by the coronavirus crisis. He said, “My agency started 2020 very strong but took a huge hit when COVID-19 essentially decimated the entertainment industry. However, we are fortunate to still be working with our clients who have streaming projects. If my agency stays lean, we should be able to weather this storm without cutting salaries or letting anyone go. My main priorities right now are taking care of our clients and my team.” Rohr said that he has remained optimistic. “I’ve always been open to whatever adventure finds me, and I have a few irons in the fire at the moment. Aside from teaching, I’ve revamped my public relations practice here in West Hollywood, and I’m doing private communication consulting throughout continental North America. I still have no idea if you call this a traditional career. I’ve had my share of failures and downturns, believe me, but I’m gratefully living the life I always wanted. It’s not 9 to 5, and I’m totally in love with what I do!” ●
book reviews
leadership in
Arts and Entertainment
This issue of The Circle is focused on leadership in arts and entertainment. Below are three books on this topic that have been recommended or written by members of Omicron Delta Kappa.
The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company
The Production Manager’s Toolkit: Successful Production Management in Theatre and Performing Arts
Never Apply for a Job Again! Break the Rules, Cut the Line, Beat the Rest
RobeRt IgeR Random House (2019)
CaRy gIllett and Jay sHeeHan tHe FoCal PRess toolkIt seRIes (2016)
daRRell W. guRney and Ivan mIsneR WeIseR (2012)
Although Bob Iger is not a member of O∆K, he certainly is an acknowledged leader in the field of arts and entertainment. This New York Times best-seller covers Iger’s career from his start as a production assistant to becoming the long-time CEO of the Disney Company. However, it is more than an autobiography. It is a treatise on Iger’s leadership philosophy. Iger, who is currently executive chairman of Disney, explains what he believes to be the critical principles of leadership as required in all industries and endeavors. He stresses the importance of optimism and how pessimistic leaders rob their people of motivation and energy. Iger also writes about thoughtfully developing informed opinions, fairness, and decisiveness. These and other principles have guided Iger and led him and his colleagues to much success at Disney.
Cary Gillett, a 2013 faculty/ staff initiate of the University of Maryland, College Park Circle, and co-author Jay Sheehan, have written a practical guide for new professionals in the fields of special event production and theatre. In addition to covering the importance of how to read and convey information through body language and the development of successful professional relationships, Gillett and Sheehan’s book also explores the intersection of management and leadership. The toolkit, which may be used as a textbook, has sections devoted to sensible planning and scheduling; effective meetings for addressing design, performance, technology, and financial concerns; and management of a production’s budget. The book concludes by offering guidance on hiring, casting, and maintaining a safe work environment.
After Darrell Gurney (University of Texas at Austin, 1983) finished college and spent a year working for an accounting firm in London, he headed west to start a career in the entertainment industry. He didn’t have any contacts in Tinseltown. However, through networking with chief financial officers in the entertainment industry, Gurney ended up working in the international finance division of MGM/United Artists within his first few months in Hollywood. His book outlines the “stealth job search method,” which provides job candidates with advice about how to make connections, learn about opportunities before they are posted, and secure advocates for one’s career. The tips in the book are good advice not only for individuals seeking to work in arts and entertainment, but they are applicable to job searches in a wide range of industries. The Circle • Spring 2020 | 23
Omicron Delta Kappa National Headquarters 224 McLaughlin Street Lexington, VA 24450-2002
O∆K
At a Glance
Campus Leaders Making a Difference!
346,541
NUMBER OF STATES WITH ACTIVE CIRCLES
TOTAL NUMBER OF LIVING MEMBERS
41 35.72%
5.69%
3.64%
1.07%
0.43%
= 4,000
53.45%
NEW MEMBER DISTRIBUTION IN FY 2019
JUNIOR
SENIOR
GRADUATE STUDENT
FACULTY & STAFF
HONORIS CAUSA
ALUMNI
136
199
NUMBER OF COUNTRIES WITH MEMBERS (not including the US)
224
TOTAL NUMBER OF CIRCLES FROM PUBLIC & PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS