On Jan. 19, before most students even returned to campus, a group of over 100 student leaders gathered for Leadership Day 2010. This group comprised of Resident Assistants, Resident Directors, Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA) members, and club representatives came together to attend and participate in the seminars.

The day started with a continental breakfast, a welcome by Lisa Saverese, Assistant Director of Student Activities, Becca Kitchell, Assistant Director of Residential Life, and Greg Overend, Director of Student Activities. The student leaders then listened to a presentation by Mike Weber, the key note speaker. Mr. Weber founded the Great American Opportunities Leadership Institute and has worked with students and business people across the country. His main focus for the students of UNH was the power of change. He strove to teach the students in attendance that although changing things within an organization is sometimes scary, it’s also essential to keeping the organizations on campus fresh and functional.

The students then broke off into groups to attend the seminars. They ranged from how to lead in different situations to learning how to pass leadership on from one year to the next. The seminars were given by UNH staff members including Ric Baker, Assistant Dean of Students, Michelle Scott, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation, and Robert Hughes, Resident Director of Savin Court and The Regency.

Once the seminars were done everyone gathered in the Alumni Lounge again to split into smaller groups in order to find information about Haiti to help with the Office of Student Activities’ fundraising event. Students gathered information about music and the arts, agriculture, the devastation left behind in the aftermath of the earthquake, and much more.

At the end of the night everyone took part in an etiquette diner. This taught all of the attendants what to do during a formal dinner or a business dinner.
All in all, Leadership Day 2010 was a great success. I would like to thank Lisa Saverese for all of her hard work in planning the event and I would like to thank all of the students who left their winter break early to participate in the event and become better leaders.