ALYSSA BUMP
Editor in Chief
Most college students are on a journey of self-discovery.
But with self-discovery comes confusion, and even when we think we are on the right track, it is nice to get some reassurance and advice from those we look up to.
The Fredonia Honors Program is aware of the value advice holds, so it recently hosted a free event for students to get professional advice from campus leaders.
The program, Opening Doors: Leadership Stories & Strategies from Campus and Student Leaders, was held in the Kelly Auditorium of the Science Center Saturday, Sept. 18 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Light refreshments were served within the first half hour of the event, which included lemonade, cookies and sliders.
Many of the attendees spent that time socializing with one another in the lobby of the Science Center prior to the event.
Campus leaders that were invited to share anecdotes about how they got to where they are included: Betty Gossett, Interim Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the Fredonia College Foundation, Dr. Vicki Sapp, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, and Dr. David Starrett, Executive Vice President and Provost.
Dr. Natalie Gerber, the Director of the Honors Program, said this year’s speakers “showcased campus leaders who play a significant role in the vitality and vision of our campus.”
Some of Gossett’s main advice during her speech was to embrace change and take chances.
Gossett is a Fredonia alum, and she credited doing internships and networking to her success.
Both Gossett and Sapp spoke about how they were first generation college students, but both have very different upbringings.
Sapp is originally from the Bronx, and she emphasized the importance of understanding how everyone has their own story.
She spoke about being very angry when she first went to college due to her home life, but she took control of her education and exceled.
At one point in her speech, Sapp said, “Opportunities will open up for you, but will you walk through the door?”
She ended her speech with the beautiful poem, “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes, to drive home that everyone has their own story. Although most of us will never fully know each other’s past, we can work hard to grow and move forward.
Starrett spoke about his struggles with public speaking and how he learned to leave his comfort zone.
He also advised the audience to never wait until they are ready for leadership roles because it is hard to ever feel ready. Rather, it is important to get comfortable with uncomfortability.
After the campus leaders spoke, a speech was made on behalf of Israel Ortiz, President of the Student Association, about his leadership journey during his time as a Fredonia student. Following, Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society led leadership activities for event goers.
Ortiz said he hopes his speech “inspired students, especially first year students to get up and get involved … We need more students who will take the initiative, step up, put their neck on the line, and stand up for themselves and their constituents.”
Peter Howlett, co-presenter of Omicron Delta Kappa’s workshop, said that their leadership activity “assisted attendees in redefining their leadership values and in reframing their motivations as a leader for a more empathetic expression of their abilities as a leader.”
To close the event, Jody Gordon and Abby Hart spoke about student-led sustainability projects on campus, which encompassed a journey to the campus garden.
Gerber said she hopes students are “inspired by the campus and student leaders and use their stories and strategies to envision next steps for themselves in their academic, extra-curricular and professional experiences.”
The event, in Gerber’s words, was “a rare opportunity to sit down in a relatively small gathering with campus leaders and hear them talk about their journeys and share advice for how to become a successful leader.”