This event opened a new idea for the President’s Leadership Program in having a trilogy of speakers plus the president of the school. The biggest takeaways surround the understanding that a leader is one who chooses morals about money, that has good character, and is a team player. Leaders are called to choose common good over money or fame. Unfortunately this isn’t such a common practice for many leaders nowadays.

8:04pm: Trible wrapped up “what unites us is far greater than anything that divides us” to conclude the speaker session of this evening.

8:02pm: Divides this country faces and ways to fight through them was asked about. The issues of hacking and “fake news” were addressed. The politicization of things instead of facts and figures. How to get beyond that? “The people in this room, you’re a lot more tech savvy than we are… repair the damage, try to achieve the benefits of technology and limit the downsides which are undermining the pillars of our democracy” – Bonker

7:58pm: Trible spoke on the hardness of when everyone says to not do something, yet the right thing seemingly is to do it. Slattery responded speaking on his hardest vote knowing that men would die potentially. Arguments both being reasonable, but he spoke on our generation having to make decisions about addressment on ideas that have reasonable ways to address and respond. He mentioned climate change, economic inequality, and the wide variety of things. His main point was the importance of finding courage and information to base decisions on.

7:51pm: students now have the opportunity to ask questions. “Having to choose between right and right” in which Nelson responded expressing that decisions are decided on a variety of factors instead of a simple this or that. That ones values are the key elements to decide how one decides what they do.

7:49pm: “I didn’t see religious divisions, and I didn’t see racial divisions and I didn’t see political divisions… we are all in this together. We are all citizens of planet earth”

7:47pm: Nelson spoke on his experiences of being an astronaut and spoke of “[knowing] you’re in over your head”. He spoke on the beauty, color, and the nothingness around.

7:43pm: Trible speaks on a change within the Regan administration and the differences in backgrounds yet common ground for common interest. Followed by wrap up statements regarding a variety of speeches from each of the men. Next up is a questions section where students who have submitted questions have the opportunity to ask the speakers anything they’d like.

7:39pm: Nelson continued sharing about friends over the years and stories of leadership. “Humility… being prepared… working hard…” were all key aspects of leadership he spoke on.

7:34pm: Nelson spoke on Willberforest, a gentleman who pursued abolishing slavery in England. Who “stuck to it” and worked hard.

7:28pm: Bonker spoke on his hope being in “the people in this room” for this country as he wrapped up his speech. His last remarks were very moving and pushed the students to choose character over money to make a difference. Next up is Bill Nelson

7:23pm: Moral courage was what started Bonkers opening remarks. This opened the doors to discussion of character and what a leader should look like. I had to agree with these points Bonker made, especially when looking at how ones character does effect what I believe of one person or how I define a person specifically. He spoke on the political forces around us and those recently elected in, how one is to cast a vote and the questions of morals versus beneficial ideas, whether one goes with an agenda or the national interest. This is something that frustrates me personally, because unfortunately often people choose money over the best interest of people. His definition of who you are to be is a very convicting question.

7:18pm: Pursuit of the truth amidst these broad challenges coming was the main point of Slattery’s opening remarks. His points were clear, understood, and made one have an opportunity to think and reflect. Next to speak is Don Bonker

7:16pm: Discussion of the importance of meeting the needs of others. This was a key point and definitely important. I agree, the need for servant leadership and to looking for the best of the community is necessary. “Pride comes before the fall” was quoted and the need to be weary of this so as to not fall into it. He pushed for surrounding ones self with those who will be honest and straight with you. The need for objective truth and straight honesty instead of what we want to hear.

7:11pm: Slattery spoke on a variety of views on leadership. He quoted “leadership is the ability to motivate others to do what they do not want to do so that they can achieve their long term goals” which was said by his high school football coach. He compares the art of leadership to sports training, academic training, and successful leadership.

7:07pm: This evening is approaching to look differently as each speaker will have a moment to speak including Paul Trible followed by speakers. Jim Slattery is first up to speak.

7:02pm: “In spite of our differences we came to know each other, care about each other…” the importance in this showed that despite difference we can be friends. Trible spoke on the importance of breaking the divide through friendship with one another.

7:00pm: President Paul Trimble of Christopher Newport University began his opening remarks. This followed a similar fashion to most speaker series events in which he introduced the speakers. This time though a bit different with all three speakers joining him on stage.

6:14pm: Students began arriving for check in and seating. Ready for a different setting of the night as students are able to ask questions ahead of time to open the door to discussion that’s mediated between student and speaker. This technology allows for the staff to get questions from students that can be placed on a PowerPoint for speakers to answer from.

Bill Nelson, Don Bonker, and Jim Slattery are the speakers for tonight’s PLP speaker series. PLP aka the President’s Leadership Program, is an esteemed and established leadership program at Christopher Newport University. Throughout the course of the semester, students are invited to come hear a variety of speakers to speak on the ideals of leadership and their own experiences with it.

All 3 will be speaking on leadership and their experiences this evening. Each having a variety of experience will give an interesting take on this topic.