Journeys in Leadership
Established in 2020 by the College of Liberal Arts “Forward” task force, Journeys in Leadership (JIL) is a nonpartisan, non-political speaker series generously supported by the Becker Endowment fund. The aim of the series is to highlight the successes (and challenges) of an eclectic mix of local, state, national and international leaders from across a range of professional and academic experiences.
Stressing the importance of a liberal arts education, the common thread of the JIL speakers is their commitment to community discourse and living active, healthy lives. Whether considering the life skills of a renowned poet, the musical and business acumen of a symphony CEO, or the dedication to international service of an aid worker, each of these carefully selected speakers has been invited to Benedictine University to share their life’s journey, with the primary goal of teaching and inspiring our students.
Journeys in Leadership events are held in person and, in some cases, via Zoom, and all are free and open to the public.
WARRINGTON PARKER (‘62)
FIRST BLACK ALUM OF BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY
ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST (RET.),
ROCKWELL CORP.
AUTHOR, STRENGTH OF WILL (2023)
THURSDAY, FEB. 20 AT MESA CAMPUS | 12:30 P.M. MST | 1:30 P.M. CDT (Zoom link)
A 1962 graduate of St. Procopius College (now Benedictine University), Warrington Parker, PhD, was the University’s first black alumnus. Upon finishing his doctorate at University of Michigan, Dr. Parker worked as an organizational psychologist at Rockwell Corporation. An avid writer, Dr. Parker authored two books – Strength of Will and Cracking the Rock – which, respectively, address his professional and personal journeys. He is also co-author of Timbuktu Academy’s U-Turn, an examination of an African-centered school.
Born and raised during the Jim Crow Era in Mobile, Alabama, much of his work and life experiences have been influenced by the impacts of systemic racism and discrimination. He applied much of his understanding as an organizational psychologist to addressing these and related social problems.
He and his wife, Brenda, reside in Sedona, Arizona. Married for 61 years, they have four children and four grandchildren.
SPONSORED BY:
Richard C. Becker Family Endowment
Additional Upcoming Speakers
GREG MILLER
CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF KINDA FUNNY
THURSDAY, APRIL 10 | 7 P.M.
Phil Hardy, Ph.D.
Professor of Political Science
Department of Society, Justice and Politics
College of Liberal Arts
[email protected]
(630) 829-6292