SRR Provides Textbooks and Materials to USC Aiken Leadership Class
April 5, 2011
SRR President and Project Manager Dave Olson (seated center) and USCA Inclusion Advisory Chair Wesley Hightower (seated next to Mr. Olson, wearing a gold tie) pose with students of USCA's Leadership in Communication class as they display some of their donated books.
Aiken, S.C. – Savannah River Remediation recently made a contribution to the University of South Carolina Aiken to support materials for a new upper-division class titled "Leadership in Communications."
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership textbook and participant guide by Author John C. Maxwell were provided by SRR for USC Aiken's new three-credit hour course that provides an overview of leadership skills needed in today's workplace. The course emphasizes core attitudes and visions of leadership using case studies that explore leadership successes and mistakes with observations from the worlds of business, politics, sports, religion, and military conflict.
SRR President and Project Manager Dave Olson recently visited the class to also offer a leadership presentation, titled "Been There Done That but Not Done Yet, Executive Thoughts on Leadership in Today's Job Market."
As a father of three college-aged sons, one a recent graduate, Olson says his reasons for wanting to "give back" stem from his recent observations of the current crop of college students.
"My sons have a lot to do with this. I've noticed that many from their generation are lacking in certain areas. Too many of today's young graduates are gifted academically, but have short-comings in other important arenas of life," he said.
Dr. Deidre Martin, who is the course instructor for Leadership in Communication, said she and her class have been very appreciative for the support given by SRR as well as that of Wesley Hightower, the chair of USCA's Inclusion Advisory Council and a USCA alumnus.
"Understanding the concepts and practice of leadership is so important for our students," she said. "When Wesley Hightower approached me about using the book by John Maxwell for a leadership course with the support of SRR, I was excited about the opportunity. Through the use of this book along with many excellent guest speakers, the class has provided a unique learning experience for this group of students."
USC Aiken is a senior institution of the University of South Carolina system. The University offers bachelor's and master's degrees to more than 3,200 students in 35 degree programs. USC Aiken is ranked the #1 public baccalaureate college in the South by U.S.News & World Report's guide "America's Best Colleges." 2010 marks USC Aiken's 13th consecutive ranking among the top three in this category and its seventh time in first place.
Savannah River Remediation (SRR) is the Liquid Waste Contractor at the Savannah River Site (SRS). SRS is owned by the U.S. Department of Energy. SRR is a team of companies led by URS Corp. with partners Bechtel National, CH2M Hill and Babcock & Wilcox. Critical subcontractors for the contract are AREVA, Energy Solutions and URS Safety Management Solutions.