Participants in 2014\u2019s Leadership Mississippi (LM) from the Mississippi Economic Council received guidance yesterday from a special alumnus of the program during the group\u2019s visit to Cleveland and Delta State.<\/p>\n
Delta State University President William N. LaForge is a graduate of LM\u2019s inaugural class, a program that began 40 years ago. He spoke with this year\u2019s group during their visit to campus, Cleveland and several nearby landmarks.<\/p>\n
\u201cLeadership Mississippi was an inspirational opportunity for me,\u201d said LaForge. \u201cOne of the biggest benefits of this experience for you will be the networking. It will likely be as valuable to you as the leadership lessons you\u2019ll take away from this.\u201d<\/p>\n
LM is an annual program of the MEC conducted by the M.B. Swayze Foundation. Participants, selected by a committee of LM alumni, work together in a training program that combines individual study, group sessions and project experience in using leadership skills.<\/p>\n
With sessions across the state, the program presents exciting opportunities where the class can see the strategic, long-range planning and changes that are occurring in Mississippi.<\/p>\n
LaForge explained he got his foot in the door with the program thanks to Delta State\u2019s fourth president, Dr. Aubrey Lucas, who was asked to chair the first class.<\/p>\n
LaForge\u2019s connection with Lucas formed in 1971 when he became Delta State\u2019s new president, the same time at which LaForge, a student at the time, was the university\u2019s student body president.<\/p>\n
\u201cLeadership was something I began to value as a student, and I learned a lot of valuable lessons here at Delta State,\u201d added LaForge. \u201cI\u2019m thankful that Dr. Lucas and Leadership Mississippi allowed me to be part of the first class, enlarge my views about leadership and rub elbows with the pros. The experience has come full circle.\u201d<\/p>\n
It truly did come full circle for LaForge, 40 years later when he interviewed to become Delta State\u2019s eighth president. The chair of his interview committee \u2014 Alan Perry \u2014was a colleague of LaForge in the inaugural LM class.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be some symmetry in life for what you current leaders are doing today, and what you will be doing later in your careers,\u201d said LaForge.<\/p>\n
The president closed his remarks by passing down leadership wisdom he\u2019s learned throughout his distinguished career.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t let leadership be something you take for granted or leave to guess work,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat you are doing today is helping to nourish, cultivate and develop your own leadership \u2014 especially at this stage in your career.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany people think you close the books when you\u2019re through with school and you don\u2019t ever learn things anymore. Constant learning is really important for life.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of Delta State\u2019s current staff members can speak first hand about the life lessons learned in LM. Robin Boyles, director of the Office of Institutional Grants, is one of four Clevelanders taking part in this year\u2019s training.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s an honor to have been selected to participate in the 40th Leadership Mississippi class and represent Delta State this year,\u201d said Boyles. \u201cHaving President LaForge talk with the class about his experience in the first class 40 years ago exemplifies the long-lasting opportunities that it can bring.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great to have Delta State\u2019s leader be an alumnus of Leadership Mississippi and show how our university has ties with such a meaningful program.\u201d<\/p>\n