A public lecture by Dr. Lane Perry, University of Canterbury, ChristChurch, New Zealand

Thursday, February 23

12-1:30pm, Marsh Lounge, Billings

Refreshments will be provided.

The catastrophic earthquakes and aftershocks that began September 4, 2010 in Christchurch, New Zealand will set the stage for this public lecture. Leadership, community engagement, student volunteerism, and the human spirit will serve as the cast of characters.

Servant leadership theory is based on the primary tenet that in order to lead, one must serve first, and then from that experience conscious choice will bring one to aspire to lead (Greenleaf, 1970). This leadership theory was evident in the days following the Christchurch earthquakes, and was identified in the actions and perspectives of the student who created the University of Canterbury Student Volunteer Army (SVA). As a response to the goodwill and momentum generated by the SVA, a course, CHCH101: Rebuilding Christchurch – An Introduction to Community Engagement in Tertiary Studies, was created and delivered to assist students with reflection on their service and connecting it to academic content.

“As a social/educational researcher, with a specific interest in pedagogy, transformative student experiences, leadership and service, after that fateful day in September, I found myself in the dust and rubble of a monumental moment in New Zealand history – the epicenter of human spirit, community engagement, and leadership.” – Dr. Lane Perry

Questions? Please contact the CUPS Office at 802-656-0095