Students to attend leadership conference
Trip offers chance to meet state leaders
By Monique Bhimani
Staff Reporter

John Athon, a junior history major, is excited about going to hear about Texas public policy and possibly networking with local leaders at an Austin leadership forum this weekend.

The 19th annual John Ben Shepperd Leadership Forum, entitled “Texas in the 21st Century: Turning Challenges into Opportunity,” will feature keynote speaker Texas Sen. John Cornyn, as well as Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst.

“I look forward to seeing our state leaders reaching out to students and their community,” Andie Porter, a sophomore international communications major, said. “I personally think going to the conference will help to see how leadership works on a larger scale.”

Hosted by the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute works to “provide young Texans an education for and about leadership, ethics and public service,” according to it’s mission statement. The institute was named in honor of the late Shepperd, former Texas Attorney General, of his volunteer work and leadership in public service, according to their Web site.

The upcoming forum will have a political emphasis, with each participant required to read about 200 pages on issues such as health care and public education, said Athon.

This year, TCU will send three students to this leadership forum. Although it is not a major conference, it is an opportunity to find internships and mentorships, Amie Blaschke, student development services program coordinator, said.

“It’s what we work for,” said Blaschke. “It’s students like John (Athon) that help foster continued relationships with community members.”

Nacogdoches County Judge Susan Kennedy will speak at the event and is an Outstanding Texas Leader award recipient. She said it is important to make a connection between the involvement in politics and the community.

“People determine ethical leaders by what they see us do and say,” Kennedy said. “Actions and words have to reflect a moral and ethical basis. It’s difficult because all the decisions made are made in the public forum.”