Freshman Rejoice, Leadership Programs Provide Opportunity
The Juniata campus is alive and bustling with anxious students taking in the air of a fall season, not ready to expedite its departure. The newly christened Halbritter Center for Performing Arts adds an element of spontaneity to a familiar backdrop students and faculty have grown accustomed to. The feeling of routine is gently being overtaken by an intuitive sense of change.
As these winds of change drift through the campus, the underclassmen, specifically the freshmen, may be arguably experiencing the strongest effects. Director of Student Activities Staci Weber, along with senior Paul Fleischer and staff member Katie Sanborn, have collaborated to create two new leadership programs, Leaders in Motion and L.E.A.D. (Leaders Evolving and Developing).
These programs give freshmen the opportunity to learn and practice the leadership skills necessary to becoming community leaders and capable, influential individuals. In addition, this trio has implemented many entertaining activities that focus on easing freshmen into a new and confusing environment.
Leaders in Motion strives to enhance the Juniata community through leadership as Paul Fleischer, the programs director, points out. Leadership theory is taught at weekly meetings, followed by an activity allowing the members to practice the newly acquired leadership skill.
Focal points for the group are their ambitious college enhancement projects. One member plans to install a printer in every dorm for quick and easy access. Another members goal is to integrate art more into the Juniata College atmosphere by collecting student artwork and displaying it across campus. Furthermore, a third member hopes to turn Ellis Halls upstairs into a more student-friendly lounge complete with music, miscellaneous games, and new furniture.
Member Jessica Maxon believes the program opens a new world to freshmen [because] most freshmen are not used to taking charge. So far it has become handy in both leadership situations and just general life situations.
L.E.A.D. offers freshman a comparable alternative to Leaders in Motion. Program director Katie Sanborn says, Leaders in Motion focuses on understanding and creating your own theory, while we focus more on immediately applicable and more specific leadership functions, such as running a meeting. The members are required to attend all of the Leadership Series events on campus and weekly meetings.
The meetings are comprised of professional presentations by faculty, team-building exercises and student-lead lectures on different aspects of program planning. The entire group puts learning into practice by planning an event for the entire campus.
Webers team, in conjunction with other organizations like the Juniata Activities Board, also designs Welcome Week activities to assist freshmen in their transition to Juniata College by scheduling daily social events during the first week of classes. Circle High Five, a local band composed of Juniata students, performed on the first night. Students also received goldfish in colorful fish bowls, helping to alleviate the loneliness most likely induced by the goodbyes to friends and family.
The following Saturday was chock-full of activities also coordinated by Webers office. As the sun spread its heated glare over the surroundings, food, tables, and chairs were set-up for block parties throughout the streets in close proximity to Juniata. Music could be heard from any number of speakers as the mood stayed cool, calm, and casual. Students were treated to a gourmet dinner at Lobsterfest, with their choice of lobster or steak. The night ended with a dance in the Ellis ballroom hosted by African American Students Association. Freshmen Kathleen Tavenner said The block parties and Lobsterfest were amazing. I would definitely attend them again next year.