Elon School of Law - Joseph M. Bryan Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series

The Joseph M. Bryan Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series

The Joseph M. Bryan Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series is an integral part of Elon University School of Law's commitment to develop lawyers who are also leaders. Endowed through a generous gift from the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation of Greensboro, N.C., the Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series brings accomplished leaders from a variety of disciplines to Elon to share their experiences and perspectives with students and faculty.

During the series' 2007-2008 inaugural year, six noteworthy leaders from politics, business and the judiciary discussed their thoughts on leadership during programs moderated by John Alexander, the Isabella Cannon Distinguished Visiting Professor of Leadership at Elon. Each program included a one-on-one conversation between Alexander and the featured guest and time for questions from the audience.

The Bryan Lecture Series will continue with outstanding programs in 2008-09. CNN legal analyst and acclaimed author Jeffrey Toobin will be the featured guest Sept. 22, while noted historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough will visit Greensboro on Oct. 22. In addition, distinguished legal professor A.E. Dick Howard will give the Sandra Day O'Connor Lecture on Nov. 6. Here are the details of this year's events:

Jeffrey Toobin, CNN Legal Analyst
Joseph M. Bryan Distinguished Leadership Lecture
7 p.m., Sept. 22
Carolina Theatre, Downtown Greensboro

David McCullough, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian
Joseph M. Bryan Distinguished Leadership Lecture
7 p.m., Oct. 22
Carolina Theatre, Downtown Greensboro

A.E. Dick Howard, White Burkett Miller Professor of Law and Public Affairs, University of Virginia
Sandra Day O'Connor Lecture
7:30 p.m., Nov. 6
Carolina Theatre, Downtown Greensboro

	Jeffrey Toobin CNN legal analyst, journalist, author September 22, 2008 "What was it that changed about the Court after 2000? Justice O'Connor changed. She moved to the left because she saw that George W. Bush, the president that she put in office with her vote in Bush v. Gore, was not the kind of president she thought he was going to be." Click here to read the story Video files •Toobin on evolution of the Supreme Court after 2000 •Toobin on Election 2008 prospects •Toobin on potential conflict between Obama, Supreme Court
	David R. Gergen Presidential adviser, scholar, author September 27, 2007 "More and more people are beginning to understand that leadership is not a top-down kind of ‘do this, do this, do this.’ Leadership today is much more about drawing the best out of people who are in your group.” Click here to read the story Video files •Gergen on personal challenges •Gergen on the qualities of good leaders •Gergen on President Bill Clinton
	Henry E. Frye Former Chief Justice, N.C. Supreme Court October 8, 2007 "You've got to tell the truth. If you're going to lead, you've got to be worthy of leadership. You've got to be a person of your word." Click here to read the story Video files •Frye on the attributes of good lawyers •Frye's advice to young lawyers •Frye's thoughts on improving the American system of government
	Aldona Wos Former United States Ambassador to Estonia November 5, 2007 "You have to be driven in a direction of seeking excellence and driven in a direction of helping other people." Click here to read the story Video files •Wos on the importance of travel •Wos on the challenge of balancing career and family •Wos on the importance of public service
	Bonnie McElveen-Hunter Former United States Ambassador to Finland February 20, 2008 "An organization's success, or lack thereof, has everything to do with leadership. Leadership filters down a lot faster than it filters up." Click here to read the story Video files •McElveen-Hunter discusses the qualities of good leadership •McElveen-Hunter on enhancing America's global image •McElveen-Hunter on how history will judge President George W. Bush
	Jim Melvin Bryan Foundation President Former Mayor of Greensboro March 7, 2008 "If you have a good idea, people want to be part of something exciting. They want to make a difference." Click here to read the story Video files •Melvin discusses the need for strong communities in America •Melvin on the impact of Elon Law on downtown Greensboro and beyond •Melvin talks about the role passion and attitude play in accomplishing goals
	Jim Hunt North Carolina Governor 1977-1985, 1993-2001 April 29, 2008 "Leadership is about moving ahead and improving other people's lives." Click here to read the story Video files •Hunt discusses the qualities of good leaders •Hunt offers advice to law students