ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ

College is the beginning of many new experiences. Difficult challenges such as living on your own, sharing a room, deciding a major, and meeting new friends aren’t always as easy as they seem.

Some want to encourage more recycling. Others hope to start after-school clubs. Better cafeteria food. Fundraising for school supplies. Perhaps “Friday relaxation.” Local seventh graders shared ideas Wednesday to strengthen their school communities as part of an annual youth leadership program at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ.

Former DEA Agent Michael McManus, one of the men responsible for arresting a major American drug trafficker whose story is captured by Johnny Depp in the 2001 movie "Blow," will be on campus for a 7:30 p.m. talk in Alumni Gym about his experiences and a career that presents life or death situations every day on the job.

Known as “the little old lady in tennis shoes” when she made history as the first female mayor of Raleigh, N.C., Isabella Cannon ’24 led a life of leadership that still stands as a model for ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ students to follow, current school leaders said March 10 in a Founders Day ceremony to honor the late alumna.

What makes a good leader? As four executives from ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ history – Leo M. Lambert, Earl Danieley, Noel Allen and Chase Rumley – explained Tuesday evening, several answers exist to the question: Optimism, commitment, courage and principle, to name just a few.

A series of events aimed at strengthening personal and organizational leadership begins this week with a discussion by four ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ figures on key moments of leadership as an executive at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ College and University. The LEADstrong 2009 campaign is sponsored by the Center for Leadership.