The West Point Society of D.C. and the National Capital Area will host its 8th Annual Leadership and Ethics Conference for local high school juniors at the Arlington campus of George Mason University on March 19, 2015. The free event will be attended by an estimated 200 students and 50 faculty representing 38 high schools.
“This is program is one of the most enjoyable and impactful efforts that I, as a business and community leader, get to do participate in each year,” CPS Professional Services President Phil Panzarella said.
Scheduled keynote speakers include Gen. Robert Cone (Ret.), former U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Commander and Rear Adm. Leo Mackay (Ret.), Lockheed Martin’s VP of Ethics.
Gen. Cone will kick off the day with an inspirational message about ethical leadership, leaving it all on the field and having no second thoughts that you gave it your all. Adm. Mackey will concentrate his remarks on why business should act ethically.
This program is led by all volunteers with a mission to provide a renewed focus on leadership, character and ethics within the community; create awareness about one’s responsibilities as a leader; provide a long-term and local solution to assist schools in developing leadership and ethics programs; and assist in the development community youths.
As in past years, the students are randomly assigned to work groups led by cadets from West Point and George Mason ROTC, and are taken through the ethical decision-making model applied to real world scenarios. Faculty members are presented a parallel track led by former senior Army officers that delivers easy-to-adapt curricula for leadership and ethics coursework in their schools.
This year’s event, held March 20, 2014, focused on the theme “Living an Honorable Life” and the consequences of actions from members of America’s “current Greatest Generation.” Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army (VCSA), Gen. John Campbell (video) from the West Point Class of 1979, and the Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen from the West Point Class of 1975, served as keynote speakers.
Juniors must have at least a 3.5 GPA and be recognized as leaders in their schools to attend. Student leaders learn how to use an ethical decision making model to gather important facts and make tough decisions.
