WWU hosting final lecture by outgoing President Jahnae H. Barnett

In this August 2018 photo, Dr. Jahnae H. Barnett speaks during a ceremony at William Woods University.
In this August 2018 photo, Dr. Jahnae H. Barnett speaks during a ceremony at William Woods University.

William Woods University is holding its first-ever Leaders At The Woods Leadership Summit this week. It will feature lectures, panel discussions and networking opportunities around the topics of leadership, professionalism and career enhancement.

The events are open the public and will take place Wednesday-Saturday.

The inaugural Leaders At The Woods Leadership Summit will feature a keynote address by Dr. Jahnae H. Barnett, in her final speaking engagement to the university community as president, Thursday. Barnett, who stepped down as William Woods president after 31 years at the helm, will be delivering a lecture entitled "Transformational Leadership," a reflection on lessons learned and how implementing change within yourself and your team or organization can inspire extraordinary performance.

The event will also feature an alumni lecture by Dr. Mardy Leathers, Director of the Missouri Department of Workforce Development; a networking session for William Woods University students with area employers; panel discussions with area business leaders and two professional development symposiums.

The Callaway Careers Student Invitational will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday at the Playhouse Café, 613 Court St., Fulton, where WWU students are invited to network and participate in a discussion with local employers as they discuss career opportunities in their company and field.

Then from 6:30-7:30 p.m. is From The Classroom To Real-World Experience at the Cutlip Auditorium, McNutt Campus Center. In this MBA student research panel, WWU MBA students will provide an overview of their organizational analysis plan for the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry. Moderated by WWU Business Professors Dr. Thomas Trice and Dr. Stephen Forsha.

From 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday is the Alumni Lecture with Dr. Mardy Leathers on "Transformational Leadership" at Cutlip Auditorium, McNutt Campus Center. Dr. Mardy Leathers, Director of the Missouri Department of Workforce Development, will address inspiring people with a powerful vision, and creating positive energy, igniting passion, and fostering a work environment that thrives on personal motivation, adaptability, collaboration and accountability.

From 3-4 p.m. is the Leadership Symposium with Area Business Leaders at Cutlip Auditorium, McNutt Campus Center. WWU Business Professor Dr. Thomas Trice hosts a panel discussion including area leaders entitled "Crisis Leadership, Strategies Implemented by Area Business Leaders Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic." The panel includes corporate and industry leaders from Ameren, AZZ and the Callaway YMCA.

At 5 p.m. is the Keynote Address from Dr. Jahnae H. Barnett on "Transformational Leadership" at Cutlip Auditorium, McNutt Campus Center. WWU's longest-serving president reflects on lessons learned during 31 years of leading the university, including how implementing change within yourself and your team or organization can inspire extraordinary performance.

From 10-11 a.m. Friday is the Professional Development Morning Meet-Up: Dr. Miriam O'Callaghan on "Organizational Leadership and Emotional Intelligence" at Cutlip Auditorium, McNutt Campus Center. Dr. O'Callaghan, Chair of the WWU Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Program, will present on how emotional intelligence can be used to motivate every member of a business team, even if they do not share your values.

At 3 p.m. is the Professional Development Mid-Afternoon Meet-Up: Alumni Lecture from Gretchen Adams '87 on "Service Leadership: The 21 Laws of Leadership" at Cutlip Auditorium, McNutt Campus Center. WWU Alumni Association President Gretchen Adams leads a discussion on Service Leadership and the "Law of Legacy," and how personal achievement comes when you do things for yourself; success comes when you empower followers to do big things for you; significance comes when you develop leaders to do great things for you, and legacy when you put leaders in position to do great things for you.

From 6-8 p.m. is the Haunted History Of The Woods Campus Tour at Thurmond Chapel and Dulany Auditorium. WWU Theatre Director Joe Potter and WWU Professor of Education Dr. Joseph Davis lead the "Haunted History Of The Woods" Ghost Tour, including a historical overview of campus and personal stories of strange encounters inside the haunted buildings on the William Woods campus.

From 7-9 p.m. is the Bonfire Social at Junior Lake.

From 8-10 a.m. Saturday is the WWU Alumni Board Breakfast and Meeting in room 6 at Burton Business and Economics Building. WWU Business Professors Dr. Thomas Trice and Dr. Stephen Forsha join attendees at the Alumni Board Breakfast from 8-9 a.m., followed by the annual Alumni All Board Fall Meeting, which is open to all alumni and the public.