From left to right: Ryan Wade, sophomore business administration student and MOARNG officer candidate; Garrett Scott, senior exercise science major and MOARNG officer candidate; Andrew Smith, senior business administration and management student and MOARNG office candidate, and Ethan Herman, junior engineering major and MOARNG officer candidate attended the US Air Force Academy National Character and Leadership Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from Feb. 23-24.

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — Four College of the Ozarks Missouri Army National Guard (MOARNG) GOLD officer candidates attended the US Air Force Academy National Character and Leadership Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from Feb. 23-24. The annual symposium brought together distinguished scholars, military leaders, corporate executives, and world-class athletes to motivate and equip participants for honorable living and effective leadership.

The theme for this year was “Reimagine Leadership. Inspire Teamwork.” as part of the “Leadership, Teamwork, & Organizational Management” Institutional Outcome, which explored the many facets of what it takes to lead in today’s complex environment. With a focus on Reimagining Leadership, participants in the symposium contemplated how to tackle unique problems and lead differently to face the unknown adversaries of the future. An emphasis on Inspired Teamwork allowed participants to consider how to effectively lead others through creating an environment of inclusion and teamwork, employing emotional intelligence, and effectively communicating with team members.

The four students who attended were as follows: Andrew Smith, senior business administration and management student and MOARNG officer candidate; Garrett Scott, senior exercise science major and MOARNG officer candidate; Ethan Herman, junior engineering major and MOARNG officer candidate; and Ryan Wade, sophomore business administration student and MOARNG officer candidate. CPT. Alex Eaton-Williams, instructor of military science, acted as the chaperone on this trip.

“The symposium was a great experience! I was able to interact with service members of different branches while listening to a variety of speakers who were very knowledgeable on the practical application of leadership,” said Garrett Scott. “I took away several leadership lessons that I plan to implement both in my life as a college student and as a service member.”