Former President Of Lincoln University example essay topic

SAMPLE PERSUASIVE PRESENTATION Who: As part of the interview process, I have been asked to give a brief, four-minute presentation to the President's Cabinet and well as senior staff, dean, and a member of two of the independent University Foundation, after which to be prepared to answer questions. I have previously been interviewed in person by many of those in attendance. Why: I am interviewing for the position of Dean of University Relations, State Lobbyist, and Executive Director of the University Foundation. Where: Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri. Text of Presentation: 16 pages - 26 Pica PAUSE - ESTABLISH EYE CONTACT TAKE A DEEP BREATH SPEAK SLOWLY Good morning / afternoon. As most of know, I am L.R. Hughes, a candidate for dean of university relations which includes responsibilities for lobbying the state legislature and coordinating the efforts of the Lincoln University Foundation, as well as directing the dissemination of internal and external information.

I have enjoyed the interview process very much, and thank each of you for making me feel welcome. When Mrs. Jones called and asked me to meet with President Frank, it caught me off guard. In fact, when she called, I did not know this position was vacant! Nevertheless I was pleased to learn that a former president of Lincoln University suggested that I might have the qualifications for which you are looking. While serving as a Boone County Judge, I learned a little about dealing with state representatives and senators when I testified for the Missouri Association of Counties. And I am proud of the modest successes in which I played a role.

Having managed the campaign of State Representative Reich who was the first member of his party elected in Boone County in a century, I acquired first-hand information that has allowed me to provided me to achieve a certain degree of rapport with his legislative colleagues. However, while I learned much about the General Assembly, I may have learned more about what not to do! Don't appear before the appropriations committees if you " re not thoroughly prepared. Failure to prepare invariably leads to public ridicule and embarrassment; worse, the media may pick up and air your mistakes! That, however, happens far less often now that I have learned when to keep my mouth shut and my head down. In time I developed an appreciation for the work of lobbyists; and much to my surprise, I've found that I enjoy working with legislators and members of their staffs.

When I was vice president of Columbia College, my chief responsibility was fundraising; however, I was also responsible for alumni affairs as well as public affairs. Why I was hired in the first place, however, may interest you. Sometime before my appointment at the College, I had met a lieutenant colonel in the Lakenheath Royal Air Station Officer's Club during annual NATO Exercises. I never understood why he struck up a conversation with me, but when a colonel decides to speak to a captain, the captain stays put and listens respectfully!

In addition to being on active duty in London, he was looking for a manager for one of his travel agencies in Independence, Missouri. I asked him why he came to London when he could have gone to a college in the states where they taught travel administration to which he answered, .".. there are none!" A year of so later in Columbia, Missouri, I recalled that conversation. At the same time I also remembered that Stephens College had its own for-profit, travel agency on campus. It seemed logical to me the College would be interested in implementing a course in travel administration. So during the next eight months or so, I conducted a little research and developed an academic curriculum. President Smith turned it down flat, .".. not the kind of liberal arts program that would appeal to our students", he said.

I was embarrassed that my enthusiasm for the project allowed me to forget one of the basics tenets of public relations: first know your market! PAUSE On the other hand, Columbia College was interested in academic programs that prepared their graduates for jobs. Not only were they excited about the program, President Hill offered me the opportunity to implement what turned out to be the first two-year, travel administration program in the United States. I was also offered an appointment as acting vice president which a year later became permanent. As liaison to your independent Foundation, I believe I could make good use of the organizational experiences gained as a general, United Way campaign chairmen.

And I suspect I could also make good use of the skills acquired as chief fundraiser at Columbia College. PAUSE No one yet has mentioned the front-page story that appeared several weeks ago in the St. Louis Post Dispatch alleging that Lincoln University had lost $400,000 in its business office. Obviously this is a serious matter on campus as well as in the Missouri General Assembly. It should be one, if not the first, challenge to be addresses by whomever you appoint as dean of university relations. What I discovered is what most of you already know, the $400,000 has not been lost; yes, there was a serious accounting error, but no monies are missing. I believe we all agree that somehow the members of the two appropriations committees must be convinced that no funds are in fact missing.

It occurs to me that the one way to accomplish this is to have the University's accounting firm, Price Waterhouse, hold a joint news conference with the State Auditor. It would be no easy task, but one I believe could be arranged with the help of the Black Caucus. Likewise, no one has yet asked why a white professional might seek this appointment, not to mention how he or she would fit into the culture of a historically black, 1890 Land-grant campus. Being a part of an institution committed to helping underserved young men and women is very appealing. Most Lincoln students are the first members of their families to attend college.

The students on this campus don't take their education for granted; for reasons I would hope to learn, Lincoln's students seem to appreciate the opportunities they have more than students elsewhere. And not only do white students enjoy Lincoln's small class sizes, they have the unique opportunity to learn what it is like to be in the minority! PAUSE In addition, the white students with whom I have visited feel that the faculty sincerely cares about all of their students, not just the students of color. Let me share one or two other discoveries I've made, none of which will surprise you. Respect is important on this campus. Faculty and staff speak to everyone; you don't just pass in the hall or on a campus sidewalk without speaking!

And I rather like what I perceive as a preference for formality. More often than not, a professor is addressed as Dr. or Professor - even by his or her peers. The faculty dress appropriately when teaching, which is more than I can say about faculty at nearby institutions. As a result, students seem to be more respectful here at Lincoln University. Finally, I discovered that this campus is a much safer place than most white Missourians believe. The University of Missouri has been unable to teach night courses because of the number of unreported assaults, whereas your night school is thriving.

Based on one evening's observations, there appear to be at least as many white students enrolled in night course as black. Making sure this message of safety is widely disseminated widely should also appear high on the list of things-to-do for the new dean of university relations. ENOUGH. I earlier expressed my appreciation for the warm welcome I have received during my visits with most of you. The opportunity for me for me to serve at the oldest 1890 institution is a unique opportunity.

If offered, I pledge to use all of the skills I possess to serve effectively and honorably. Thank you for your candor, your courtesy, and for making time in your schedules to be here today. I welcome the opportunity to answer any questions at this time..