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Learning to Lead (through love)
By Lance Kaminer, Rising Sophomore, Business &
Organizational Leadership Major
Editor’s Note: In January, CIU sent six student leaders to the
South Carolina Student Leadership Forum (SCSLF) held in
Greenville, South Carolina. The SCSLF website says college
students attending the Forum from around the state, are not
asked whether they will change the world, but, rather how they
will change the world. It’s an opportunity for leaders of diverse
cultures and religious backgrounds to dialogue about the
opportunities they face in positions of leadership. In addition,
the website states, “Believing that Jesus of Nazareth is one of
the greatest leaders in history, His principles are the basis for
much of the discussion.”
Attending the South Carolina Student Leadership Forum was
an outstanding experience. Over 100 other college students
from around South Carolina attended, each of us gleaning
leadership qualities found in Jesus Christ from today’s leaders,
such as South Carolina U.S. Senator Tim Scott, and Lt. Col.
Kelly Martin, a senior military fellow at the Center for a New
American Security.
At the forum, I took away several crucial lessons I believe will
positively impact my life and the shape of my future. For one,
successful leaders love. When looking at the life of Jesus,
we see that no matter where He went, He loved. Senator
Scott defined love beyond an emotion we feel — love equals
commitment. If Jesus had loved out of emotion, He would not
have loved us when crucified. Since God is love, everything
flowing out of Jesus expressed love; whether He healed the
sick or threw the money exchangers out of the temple. In
various situations, Jesus showed us how to walk in love.
Successful leaders also do not fear vulnerability. Jesus
surrounded Himself with 12 apostles and in addition, made
three of them close friends: Peter, James, and John. To
experience this firsthand during the forum, we met in small
groups, and as a result, I made new relationships with other
college students. In our small group, we realized the value
in sharing our life stories with each other. This experience
taught me the importance of having a close group of people
around me in which I can be open and vulnerable.
For my immediate situation, these lessons will serve me well
during my tenure at CIU. As Lt. Col. Martin stressed, we are
CAMPUS LIFE
“Successful leaders love.”
called to love all people we serve as well as those we lead. I left
the forum challenged to love and respect every person I meet,
and to “be real” as I seek out relationships with other people.
Both of these lessons will aid in my growth as a man and leader,
as well as a follower of Jesus.
Godspeed to Frank and Flor
Frank and Flor Oamil served Columbia International University
for a combined 25 years; Flor as cataloging librarian for 16
years in the G. Allen Fleece Library, and Frank for nine years as
a maintenance technician in the Physical Plant.
They retired in February to be closer to their grandchildren in
Florida, and also to be more involved with Ben Lippen School.
Not the Pre-K to 12th grade Ben Lippen School on the CIU
campus, but the Ben Lippen Christian Learning School that
Frank and Flor helped found in 2008 in their native country of
the Philippines. Flor says they named it after Ben Lippen at CIU
“because we know Ben Lippen School is considered a first-class
Christian school in America, and because of our connection
with CIU.”
Ben Lippen Christian Learning School started as a preschool,
but has added first and second grades, with plans to expand to
the sixth grade.
“We are sad to leave CIU because
of our wonderful friends and
colleagues,” Flor said. “However,
we are happy to be finished with
this chapter of our lives and
very excited to start new
adventures while
leaving behind good
memories.”
Lance Kaminer meets: Senator Tim Scott
(left) and Lt. Col. Kelly Martin (right).
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CAMPUS LIFE
CIU Today
Summer 2015