Fraternity and sorority members alike received boundless wisdom from a panel of experienced leaders from various professional backgrounds in an event hosted and moderated by Sigma Nu on Tuesday.
The event, formally titled “Leadership In The 21st Century,” brought on four speakers, all of which had a history with the University of Wyoming, to “present actionable insights in management strategies, ethical conduct, and explore specific situations in their careers that called for a strong leadership response,” as was noted in the promotional description for the event. The panel was composed of four business professionals, including Tom Walsh, Emerson W. Scott, Marilyn Engstrom, and Ray Fleming Dinneen.
Walsh was a former general manager and CEO of various technology and global information companies and is a current instructor of Advanced Enterprise Selling in the UW Business of College, Scott was a former owner of the Antelope Butte Ski Area and the current owner/civil engineer for several engineering and construction firms, Engstrom was a former Associate Director of Student Admissions and current Dean Emerita for St. Matthew’s Cathedral, and Dinneen was the founder of the statewide employment assistance organization for low-income mothers, Climb Wyoming.
Dozens of Greek Life students listened intently to each speaker as they answered six pre-decided questions and three audience questions. Each inquiry dove into topics ranging from how the panelists navigated unique challenges as leaders in a business setting and how they managed cultural organization and hiring to important and relevant pieces of advice on how to take accountability, how to build grit, and how to take calculated risks. Each speaker provided a unique perspective that served to assist students in their business adventure, with a recurring theme among all answers they provided being the importance of initiative and youth.
After the panel, all Greek Life students gathered together with the speakers and took a photo. Tom Walsh readily accepted an interview, elaborating on his past with UW. “I was honored to be invited. I’m an alumni at the Sigma Nu fraternity,” he said. “They sponsored this from a leadership perspective as part of the activities they do to foster leadership, and they’re always looking for speakers. They came across my name and invited me, and I was happy to be here.”
Walsh also expressed his pleasant surprise at the difference in learning opportunities from when he was in Sigma Nu. “Honestly, I don’t feel like we were this organized.” He added, “I’m impressed with how serious they’re taking this experience, and their wanting to take advantage of opportunities like this. This wasn’t something I was aware of at the time. I’m thrilled it’s here now.”
