Lest we forget...

by Jerry Madsen

The real joy of having the opportunity to work on a strengths-based initiative on a college campus is seeing the process of discovery that many of our students go through - particularly those who view themselves as walking deficiencies - when they realize, I have strengths!

It's even better when their journey becomes one of substance and they learn what it takes to develop and apply their strengths.  That's where the real value is; that's why we bother to put even a modicum of energy into this initiative.

However, there are other moments that, while they may not serve as an endpoint, they certainly bring joy along the way.

I experienced one such moment today.

Among the very dedicated members of our IvyStrengths initiative, we have two faculty members from our School of Arts & Design who applied their strengths to create a physical expression of what we are striving to accomplish through this project: an ever-present awareness of our strengths. 

Professors Angela Boembeke and Heidi Henke - who also serve on our IvyStrengths Communication Committee - designed a series of "banners" for the main student commons area on the South Bend campus.  They were installed this morning (click photos to enlarge).

Angie (Analytical, Consistency, Significance, Activator, Futuristic) and Heidi (Responsibility, Belief, Empathy, Developer, Connectedness) applied their strengths and creativity to this project and in my estimation, went above and beyond anything we could have hoped.

And while completion of projects such as these are not the pinnacle of our efforts, they do serve the noble purpose of reminding each one us, lest we forget, that we have strengths and they are wonderful.

Comments

[Jenifer Fox]

My new book, Your Child's Strengths with a foreword by Marcus Buckingham is on pre-sale for a great discount. This book is not just for kids...people of all ages can enjoy it, especially college students since it was written to help high school kids become one of the two out of ten. You can see the book jacket at www.strengthsmovement.com Marcus and I hope you will spread this title around your campus and get all students engaged in discovering their strengths.