Area students inducted into new leadership society at William Woods University

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Elizabeth Munroe

FULTON, MO (06/14/2013)(readMedia)-- Building leaders who make a better world.

That's the mission of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NCLS), a leadership society introduced to William Woods University this academic year.

Tanner McKee of Sedalia, Mo., Laurissa Shackles of Slater, Mo., and Elizabeth Munroe of Hughesville, Mo., was recently inducted into the society.

The society was founded in 2001, with the hopes of providing an all-inclusive organization that could help tap into the potential of college students across the country. Today, the society has more than 250,000 members at 345 colleges and universities nationwide. WWU is one of the latest universities to join those ranks.

To become members of the society, students must first register as pre-members and then complete a series of steps to become inducted members. These steps include attending orientation, a leadership training day, three speaker broadcasts and three success networking team meetings, which are teams that meet to discuss their goals and how they can achieve them.

"The society is a great tool for students to learn to be more successful in their personal lives and also in the organizations they're involved with," said Dani Moritz, chapter president. "All of our members did great this year and I'm excited for the society to grow."

Melissa Alpers-Springer, co-adviser, agrees the society has been a success.

"The society encourages students to set goals and focus on steps to complete them, using peer suggestions and support," she said. "I've been pleasantly surprised at how much students enjoy the speakers who give them advice on how to be successful in every facet of life."

This semester's speakers included Peter Bregman, CEO of Bregman Partners Inc., a global management consultant firm; Brad Meltzer, a bestselling novelist; and Rudy Giuliana, the 107th mayor of New York City.

The WWU chapter's first induction was held April 30. It featured a keynote speech by Kelsey Meyer, a young, successful entrepreneur and president of Digital Talent Agents in Columbia, and the induction of 75 students to the society.

In addition, nine awards were presented to WWU faculty and staff, as well as a Fulton community member. The NSLS executive board selected the recipients of the awards based upon their service to students and the community.

"Starting the society on campus has been a lot of work for everyone involved," Moritz said, "but it has also been a ton of fun and a great learning experience."