March 16, 2005

Motivational speaker to continue Purdue Leadership Lecture Series

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Michael Poll, a nationally recognized motivational speaker, will be at Purdue University on March 28 as part of the spring Leadership Lecture Series.

Poll's 7 p.m. presentation, which is free and open to the public, will be in Stewart Center's Fowler Hall. The four-part series, which is sponsored by the Student Activities and Organizations area of the Office of the Dean of Students, focuses on campus leadership.

Poll's talk, entitled "Discover the Leader Within," addresses the importance of personal responsibility in the educational and professional development of college students.

"Many colleges and universities regard Michael Poll as the leading authority on leadership and personal development," said Bridget Williams Golden, assistant dean of students for Student Activities and Organizations. "All of Poll's programs are conducted with creativity and flexibility. He blends positive messages with activities and discussions that bring out the best in participants."

Poll, who began his career in higher education and later went into television production, has been a motivational speaker since 1994. He has spoken to college students, community groups and corporate clients.

"Good Morning America" news anchor Robin Roberts will give the final Leadership Lecture Series presentation on April 9. That event, which also is free and open to the public, will take place at 4 p.m. in Mackey Arena.

Previous lecture events included presentations by Elaine Penn, special projects director at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and motivational speaker Andrea Mosby.

"The point of the Leadership Lecture Series is to assist emerging leaders along their leadership path," Golden said. "It is our belief that all members of the Purdue community, including students, faculty and staff, have the ability to lead."

More information is available by contacting Student Activities and Organizations at (765) 494-1232, sao@purdue.edu.

Writer: Aaron Martin, (765) 496-3133, martinac@purdue.edu

Sources: Bridget Williams Golden, (765) 494-1231, bwgolden@purdue.edu

Erin Ansfield, Student Activities and Organizations, (765) 494-1231, ansfield@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Media can attend Michael Poll's talk. To make arrangements, contact Erin Ansfield of Student Activities and Organizations at (765) 494-1231, ansfield@purdue.edu to make arrangements.

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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