A Campus Brings It From the Top

When schools and organizations show support from the very top of the administration, the likelihood of more people getting actively involved is tremendously higher!! At Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, the support came from the President of the University downward and from the students upward. When I came onto campus, we saw faculty and staff wearing the "Can I Kiss You?" T-shirts all over campus. Before I presented my main program that day, the campus had a special dinner for all of the organizations involved in sponsoring my visit. The dinner was made-up of 15 faculty/administration (including the President of the University) and 15 students.

The results? Over 25% of the campus attended the program that evening and NO ONE was mandated to attend. Students had simply heard from other students and faculty all about the program. The lesson? Working hard to get lots of departments and administrators involved is worth the effort. Oh yea, this entire movement on their campus was started by a STUDENT who was determined to make this event a huge success! Gustavus Adolphus is a prime example of students, staff, and faculty working together (in all directions).