Bonnie Keller Presents at National Collegiate Leadership Conference

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BVU Student MOVE presenters at the conference

STORM LAKE, IOWA (02/28/2014)(readMedia)-- Members of the Buena Vista University (BVU) Student MOVE organization attended and presented at the National Collegiate Leadership Conference Feb. 14-16, hosted by the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz.

The BVU students who presented at the conference were Ashley Lage, a senior management major from Manning; Gwendolyn Walton, a senior psychology major from Granger; Bonnie Keller, a junior biology major from Sioux City; and Kevin Coriolan, a senior corporate communication major from Worthington, Minn. The students submitted their presentation, "Forming Relationships by Peeling Back the Layers" in consideration for the event, and they were selected to lead a session at the conference.

"Forming Relationships by Peeling Back the Layers" explored two communication theories and how leaders use these effectively. The presentation concluded with exercises demonstrating how getting to know their members help leaders accomplish goals.

"Presenting at the conference was my favorite part," said Gwendolyn Walton. "Our audience was very receptive, and it was great to see everyone execute our workshop so well."

The National Collegiate Leadership Conference is an opportunity for students to learn, participate in and reflect on service, social justice and leadership. Student leaders coordinate the conference, and a large portion of the sessions are developed and presented by student leaders, like Student MOVE.

"Students have to propose the conference session and be selected to present," says Dr. Ashley Farmer-Hanson, director of civic engagement at BVU. "Not only are they challenged to present their ideas, thoughts and research to a crowd of 30 to 50 people, but they attend other sessions and bring back valuable information for their peers."

In addition to the informative sessions, volunteer and service opportunities are offered throughout the conference to demonstrate the connection between leadership development and service.

"We participated in a blood drive," said Ashley Lage. "The four of us also packaged Beads of Courage, which provide children with serious illnesses a tangible way of tracking their treatment."

Student MOVE is a service-based organization, but the National Collegiate Leadership Conference melds service and leadership together.

"In many ways you cannot have one without the other," says Farmer-Hanson. "A commitment to civic engagement and leadership skills are exactly what future employers want and what the world needs."

For more information on civic engagement at BVU, contact Dr. Ashley Farmer-Hanson at farmer@bvu.edu or 712.749.2443.

About Buena Vista University

Buena Vista graduates have a 97 percent rate of employment or admission to graduate/professional schools within six months of graduation, which reflects the quality of the academic programs, faculty, facilities and cutting-edge technology. Forty-three majors and 15 pre-professional programs provide an array of academic options that blend the liberal arts with real-world applications. Generous merit and need-based financial aid programs, and support for academic travel, research, and internships, make BVU an affordable option for all students.

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Members of BVU Student MOVE organization who presented at the National Collegiate Leadership Conference. From left to right: Ashley Lage, Gwendolyn Walton, Bonnie Keller and Kevin Coriolan.