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Reflections on my University Service
Any university exists as a collegial community, one in which the cooperation and effort of each of its members is necessary for progress to be made. I have been involved in many university service activities over the years (see University Service). Rather than repeat that listing, the purpose of this page is to reflect on the meaning of university service within my professional, leadership, and personal development.
One of the joy's of university service is seeing real progress made. I have enjoyed working on our Dean's Council because it is the type of group where everyone is pulling together to see progress made. The same has generally been true of our Academic Council. In addition, serving on our Administrative Council—whose members include the Cabinet and the Deans—has been enjoyable because of the open and useful communication between its members.
The frustrating part of university service is attending committee meetings with murky agendas. Thankfully, LeTourneau University has very few such committees. At some other places I have served, I have spent a much greater percentage of time in seemingly meaningless committee meetings.
It's important for people to have an atmosphere where it's okay to process information and emotions, but it's not okay to have an atmosphere where the collective time of several people is wasted. Running meetings takes both skill and work. Encouraging discussion while ensuring goal accomplishment is an important goal that doesn't happen by accident.
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