News Detail

Learn leadership lessons for today from leaders of yesterday

11.05.09

A group of SUNY Potsdam graduate students in the “Principles of Leadership” course will present the results of their research into ancient leaders and what characteristics made them so successful at a Leadership Symposium on Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in 102 Dunn Hall.

“Students have spent a lot of time researching and making sense of several leaders in ancient times and they have discovered key factors that made them leaders,” said Dr. Ed Portugal, who is the professor leading the course. “They also have found insights and advice from which current leaders in our community, state and nation could learn.”

Team Huang Di composed of team leader Jennifer LaPointe of Massena; Yingying Xu of Fuyang City, Anhui Province, China; Eric Hotchkiss of Macedon; and Abby Lee of Potsdam will present “Wu Zetina: An Ancient Woman Emperor.”

The team chose Emperor Wu Zetian (624 AD to 705 AD) of medieval China. She was the only woman in China’s long history to name herself emperor. Zetian’s ascent, acquisition and maintenance of power lasted 60 years. Throughout this time, she demonstrated a unique ability to grow, define and adapt her leadership skills to a given situation.

Team Lucky Leaders composed of team leader Michele Treinin of Syracuse, Damien Jepson of Schuylerville and Brittany Williams of Canton will present “Genghis Khan: Life of A Leader.”

The presentation will cover the life of Genghis Khan and his accomplishments. One of the most ruthless leaders of his time, he conquered many civilizations but also united many of the confederations in central Asia. During his reign, he put the absolute trust in his generals and allowed them to make most of their own decisions. Genghis Khan has been traditionally revered by the Mongols but overall, he has perceived as a dictatorial leader.

Team Diversity composed of team leader John Hampton of Philadelphia, P; Emma Cheng of Fuzhou City Fujian Province, China; and Derek Pooley of Brewerton will present “Hannibal.”

The presentation will create an environment using a talk show setting that will enhance the audience experience of Hannibal a great ancient leader. The team will do this by using a short clip from a movie, along with background information about other world leaders.

Team Successors composed of team leader Robert Burnett of Rensselaer Falls, Henry Sieg of Canton, Beth Robinson of Potsdam and Christopher Walts of Watertown will present “Chandragupta Maurya: The Rise and Fall of the Mauryan Dynasty.”

Chandragupta established a highly centralized government which covered a vast geographic landscape. The size of the empire required a highly refined system of government which incorporated both centralized and decentralized rule. His third successor, Ashoka, adopted a new value system and enacted new policies based on the Buddhist teachings, which led to the downfall of the Mauryan Empire.

Team Imperia composed of team leader Lisa Brown of Potsdam, Violetta Goldman of Syracuse and Janel Alleyne of Brooklyn will present “Nero the Notorious Tyrant – Last Roman emperor of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty.”

Nero began his reign at 16 years old and focused a lot of his time on building theaters and promoting athletic games. He was a leader who paid attention to diplomacy, trade and increasing the cultural capital of his empire. His progressive rise to power was only escalated when he got rid of all his advisers in what some historians called his consolidation of power.

The Leadership Symposium is free, and the public is invited to attend. Refreshments will be available.