Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Leadership was the theme last night as 25 graduates of Kosciusko Leadership Academy's class of 1997 received diplomas.
It was the 16th graduating class since the inception of the academy - a community leadership program designed to make successful people tomorrow's leaders.
KLA graduates meet for 19 sessions over a period of nine months to learn about various aspects of the community - from orthopedics to law enforcement.
At the end of the class, groups of graduates prepare "white papers" that point up needs in the community. Several white papers have been the catalysts for community service projects.
Guest speaker for the event was Dr. Suellen Reed, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
"The more I've heard about KLA, the more pleased I am to be here tonight," said Reed, whose remarks on leadership were tailor-made for the event.
"There are many fine books out there on leadership," she said. "How to be a good leader seems to be a hot topic everywhere."
Reed pulled together several theories on leadership gleaned from many sources, "to sort out the characteristics of good leaders."
First, she said, leaders must be ethically and morally strong and have a keen sense of justice. "They must be law-abiding, loyal, conscientious ... their guiding principals must be truth, honesty and the golden rule."
She said leaders see the good in bad situations and trust themselves as well as others.
Leaders are committed. Without commitment, all else is meaningless. Leaders exude confidence and determine the course of action. They make plans and go forth to complete them.
Leaders have courage. "Belief in their values keeps them in focus against even overwhelming odds," Reed said.
Leaders are willing to take risks. "Successful people may have failed a number of times. It's that we succeed that matters," she said.
Leaders are decision makers. "Leaders know that indecision wastes time, money, talent and opportunity," Reed said. "Good leaders make reversible decisions quickly and unreversible decisions slowly."
Leaders view issues in a large perspective and challenge tradition. They aren't afraid of change. In fact, Reed said, "they welcome change as the only constant in life" and they look for opportunities generated by change.
They use power judiciously and pull rank only in emergencies. They never forget to listen and they keep everything in perspective.
Reed encouraged the KLA graduates to exude these qualities as they pursue their goals and dreams.
She urged them to "make sure the basics are covered" adding, "If you take care of the little things, the big things will take care of themselves."
Moderator for the event was Steve Grill, of Ivy Tech, who has been involved in KLA since it began. Also taking the podium at the Tippecanoe Lake Country Club during the evening were Kurt Carlson, outgoing president of the KLA executive committee; Jean Northenor, KLA adviser; KLA graduate Carol Huffer; and next year's executive committee president, Cathy Teghtmeyer.
The 1997 KLA graduating class and their sponsors are: Linda Arnold, Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau; Anne Bailey, Lake City Bank; Ryan Bowell, Owens & Company, P.C.; Connie Brown, Farmers State Bank; David Brown, Biomet; Brent Byers, Helvey & Associates; Amy Crump, First National Bank; Beth Czuba, Dalton Foundries; Pat Deck, Warsaw Schools; Andrea Halpin, Lemon, Armey, Hearn & Leininger; Susan Hight, CTB Inc.; Carol Huffer, Builders Assoc. of Kosciusko/Fulton Counties; Steve Miller, Kosciusko Community Hospital; Becky Moreno, Warsaw Police Department; Becky Notestine, American Red Cross; Tim Nussbaum, Bowen Center; Rick Reneker, HR American/Flexible Personnel; Stephanie Salyer, Mutual Federal Savings Bank; Jeff Secaur, The Image Group Inc.; Jim Stafford, Combined Community Services; Jeff Thornburgh, Dekko Heating Technology; Byron Tinkey, Kosciusko County Prosecutors Office; Libbie Tom, Warsaw Abstract & Title Corp.; Randy Vutech, Lake City Bank.
