Top USCB Students Learn from Regional Leaders August-November, 2011
Bluffton, SC- For the past seven weeks, influential members from the Lowcountry community have been coming to the University of South Carolina Beaufort to share their experiences and thoughts about leadership to selected students in a special class entitled Leadership in Practice, hosted by Chancellor Jane Upshaw. State senator Tom Davis, USDA rural development state director Vernita Dore, Beaufort mayor Billy Keyserling, CEO of Hilton Head Healthcare Mark O’Neil, Commanding General of Parris Island Lori Reynolds, and Beaufort Country school education superintendent Valerie Truesdale have each spoken to the class thus far. Six more community leaders are scheduled to appear before the end of the semester, including former Penn Center Director Emory Campbell and CEO of the South Carolina Lottery Paula Harper Bethea. As noted by Chancellor Upshaw, “It is heartening to have busy and important community and business leaders who are willing to share their time and life experiences with USCB Leadership in Practice students.” Upshaw added that the idea for the class was presented to her by USCB’s Department of Social Sciences chair, Dr. Charles Spirrison, who had experience with similar classes at other institutions prior to assuming his current position at USCB. In order to enroll in the class, students had to be recommended by two professors and demonstrate leadership on campus. They were also required to submit a written essay, a resume, and were subjected to a formal interview process. Of the 25 students invited to apply, ten were selected to participate. According to Chancellor Upshaw, “The Leadership students represent USCB well through their reflective and probing questions. It has been fascinating to see the interaction of our students with these leaders.”