In her 45 years at Otterbein, Joanne Van Sant worked to teach students the importance of daring to be a leader.
In her leadership creed, she wrote, “May I dare to be different, dare to be courageous, dare to be creative, dare to challenge others as I am challenged, and dare to make time for this important task.” Despite her retirement from the university in 1993 and her death in May of this year, Van Sant’s vision lives on with Otterbein’s new Van Sant Leadership Program.
Assistant director for the Center of Community Engagement, Leslie Cavin, was given the task of crafting the program. After months of research, the program was piloted during J-Term 2013.
Students who choose to take part will be required to attend 10 workshops (or five workshops and the LEAD 1000 course), complete 40 hours of community service and demonstrate leadership in a campus student organization.
“Students will learn skills that are transferable to any major,” Cavin said. “Even if you aren’t planning on being the president of a student organization, there are still valuable skills to gain from this program. You don’t have to have a position or title to be a leader. I think everyone can be a leader, and this program really shows that.”
The 10 workshops will all be offered every semester and are led by faculty and employees from student affairs. Each workshop keeps with Van Sant’s “dare” theme and have titles such as “Dare to Be Theoretical,” “Dare to Be Practical” and “Dare to Be Me.”
“These workshops are designed to be very interactive,” Cavin said. “You’re not just going to be sitting in a room for two hours staring at someone who’s talking. It’s a great opportunity to meet others on campus who are interested in leadership that you may not meet otherwise.”
Patti Wilson will lead the workshop called “Dare to Be Real,” and said the program will be beneficial for students as they seek careers after college.
“I know it’s more time for students, but they need to realize the job markets are tough,” Wilson said. “When you go to an interview, you could be going up against someone sitting next to you in class. Anything that might set you apart from someone else is a plus.”
Senior Caylee Whipple is taking the new leadership minor and likes the opportunities Otterbein is providing in leadership with the minor and the Van Sant program. “Everybody has that kind of leadership role, but not everybody shows it,” she said. “This is a great way to help bring out the leader in students who may not know they have it in them.”
Upon completion of the program, students will earn their Van Sant Leadership Certificate as well as the title of a Van Sant Leadership Scholar. Students who would like more information on the program can contact Leslie Cavin at LCavin@otterbein.edu.
