Fairleigh Dickinson University: Character Initiative at the United States Military Academy

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Leadership is not magnetic personality—that can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not "making friends and influencing people"—that is flattery.

Leadership is lifting a person's vision to higher sights, the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations. – Peter F. Drucker

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On Friday, April 3, 2009 60 students and law enforcement officials from Fairleigh Dickinson University Petrocelli College of Continuing Studies School of Administrative Science visited the United States Military Academy at West Point for an initiative highlighting character, service and leadership.

After a tour of West Point, the event began with a presentation by Terry Calandra, a Vietnam Veteran who received numerous commendations for valor including:

• Five Purple Hearts
• Two Army Commendations for Valor
• Three Bronze Stars
• Silver Star
• Air Medal
• Distinguished Service Cross
• Vietnam Medal for Gallantry

Mr. Calandra shared stories of his experiences which were not only inspirational but humbling since they reflected his devotion to duty and concern for his band of brothers serving in the jungles of Vietnam.

The second presentation was delivered by Major Casey M. Moes of the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic at West Point. Major Moes shared stories of her personal experiences in Iraq and reflections on leadership. She spoke about numerous individuals who exemplify leadership and applied the lessons learned from them to life in the military and for civilians.

As an invited speaker, I delivered a presentation titled Reawakening the Heart of America through Leadership, Vigilance and Collaboration. It focused on concerns in contemporary society and highlighted the criticality of character as the ingredient for the transformation of our nation. Afterwards, all attendees received customized copies of my newest book, Listen To Their Cries, through the generosity of Fairleigh Dickinson University.

A special recognition is deserving of Dr. Joseph A. Devine, Assistant Professor and S. Craig Mourton, Assistant Dean of Community Development, for their leadership in developing this character initiative for the university.

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Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Administrative Science

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