UNK College of Education Dean, 308.865.8502
Fifth and sixth grade students, teachers and administrators from area schools will be on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus Friday, Nov. 17, for the “8 Keys of Excellence” youth leadership conference.
Dr. Finnie Murray, UNK senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Life, will open the conference at 8:30 a.m. in the Nebraskan Student Union Ponderosa Room. Nebraska Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy will give a brief opening address for the conference.
Keynote speaker for the conference is Jenny Severson, a former teacher and administrator who is currently a consultant with Learning Forum (Quantum Learning). Her presentation is sponsored by the Kearney Public Schools.
The conference is being sponsored jointly by the UNK College of Education and elementary principals in Region IV. Region IV represents the communities of Centura, Chapman, Doniphan, Franklin, Gibbon, Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, Lexington, Ravenna, Shelton, St. Paul and Wood River. Mary Yilk is chair of the Region IV Elementary Principals Organization.
“The purpose of the leadership conference is to help students recognize the leadership capacities they possess, and to provide them the opportunity to learn about the UNK campus and to motivate them to consider attending UNK or another university in the future,” said Dr. Ed Scantling, dean of the UNK College of Education.
Dean Scantling noted that 224 students, principals and teachers are expected to attend the conference. In addition, approximately 30 UNK students and 15 UNK faculty members will be involved in the conference activities.
The 5th and 6th graders were selected to participate in the conference by their principals. They were selected based on their demonstrated leadership traits at their schools.
After the keynote speaker’s presentation, the students will work on their leadership skills in small groups led by UNK elementary education majors and then spend two hours across campus working with UNK faculty in a variety of settings. UNK faculty from all four UNK colleges are participating.
During the two hours spent with UNK faculty, students will have an opportunity to explore various career choices available on the campus. Students will be divided into groups to “sample” various campus stations. The stations, the faculty presenters and the departments or programs represented include:
-“Take a Chance with Dance,” Gary Schaaf, Department of Music and Performing Arts, and UNK students
-“Flying Simulations,” Terry Gibbs and Steve Amundson, both of the Department of Industrial Technology
– “Ears, Eyes and You,” Dr. Bill Wozniak, Department of Psychology
– “Planetarium Presentations,” Dr. Jose Mena-Werth, Department of Physics and Physical Science
– Hands-on economic activities, Mary Rittenhouse, UNK Center for Economic Education
– Behind-the-scenes tours of the UNK theater department, Janice Fronczak, Department of Music and Performing Arts
– Demonstrations of the SmartBoard and other teaching technologies, Shelley Haberlan, College of Education instructional technology
– Leadership and teamwork activities, Eve Scantling, Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, and UNK students
– Tours of the Nebraskan Student Union and leadership development discussions, Brandon Benitz, Student Support Services
Students will rotate through the 20-minute sessions from noon until 2 p.m., when they will meet at the Nebraskan Student Union for a recap of the day’s activities and a chance to win prizes in a drawing.
-30-Agenda:
8:30-9:00 Registration, Rolls, Juice
9:00-9:15 Welcome, Thanks and Introductions
9:15-9:25 Dr. Finnie Murray; Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Life
9:25-9:40 Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy
9:40-9:50 Break
9:50-10:50 Jenny Severson
10:50-11:10 Getting to know each other (Color Groups)
11:15-11:45 Lunch
11:45-12:00 Organize into color groups for stations
12:00-2:00 Campus stations for students. Different departments around campus have
various leadership activities planned.
12:00-12:20 First Station
12:30-12:50 Second Station
1:00-1:20 Third Station
1:30-1:50 Fourth Station
1:50 Return to Nebraska Union
12:15-2:00 Principals meet
2:00-2:15 Discussion of days events and what students will now do to be effective
leaders at school and community.
2:15-2:30 Complete survey/Put name in for drawing
2:30-3:00 Drawings, Thanks and dismissal
