Growing and Giving Back

 

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” These words from Helen Keller epitomize the events taking place across our campuses as we launch into the spring season and the final weeks of the semester.

Spring is a time for growth, and it’s been in full bloom these last few weeks as we’ve all enjoyed the warmth and sunshine the season has brought. Earlier this month, students at Bloomsburg and Lock Haven participated in The Big Event—a campus-wide day of service focused on sending student volunteers out into the community to complete service projects. I’m incredibly proud of the selflessness exhibited by our students and their willingness to give back to the communities our campuses call home. Over 1,000 students took part in The Big Event, making a big impact on the towns of Bloomsburg and Lock Haven. At Mansfield, students rallied together through the annual Paddy Murphy fundraiser to raise $10,000 for a local teacher battling cancer. The campus also hosted Relay for Life this month.

Bloomsburg students at the start of the Big Event 

Lock Haven students filled Jared Boxes during the Big Event 

Mansfield students gather during Paddy Murphy Week

Volunteerism centers around selflessness, and at this busy time of the semester when many priorities compete for our students’ time and attention, it’s inspiring to witness them take a step back to give back. I’m always incredibly proud of our students and their dedication to excelling academically. Our campuses are filled with future leaders who will go on to achieve great things and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. I have always believed that effective leadership is rooted in servant leadership, which is why it’s so heartening to see our students embracing these principles. Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Our students are living this truth by doing work that matters, both in and out of the classroom.

We know that our students carry these values with them long after their days on campus. The generosity of our alumni prove it year after year. April has been a month of giving for our proud alumni and supporters as well. They are supporting our students in big ways through the All In Days of Giving, which took place earlier this month and raised over $375,000. These gifts make a tremendous difference in the lives of our students and support valuable initiatives that lead directly to enhanced learning experiences and outcomes for our students.

Growth. Giving Back. In so many ways, this is what the college experience is all about. I often speak about our number one priority at Commonwealth University—student success. As president, it’s incredibly rewarding to see our students grow as individuals in their four years here. It’s even more rewarding to know that the students who came before them are instilling the value of giving back—demonstrating the truest measure of success.

Thank you, sincerely, to every student and supporter for the generosity of spirit and selflessness you have demonstrated this month. Your actions have made a difference in the lives of others!

    Bashar W. Hanna, President

Our world needs more kindness

I recently tweeted a statement that really speaks to me and which I believe can guide us as we live, work, and learn together.

“Leadership does not need to be loud and kindness should never be interpreted as weakness. Lead quietly with kindness.”

Our world needs more kindness. As the late General Colin Powell wrote in his book, It Worked for Me, "You can never err by treating everyone in the building with respect, thoughtfulness, and a kind word."

Whether you find yourself in a leadership position today or aspire to lead others in the future — Let’s choose to lead with compassion, kindness and respect. It’s up to us to create and foster working environments that embody our values of inclusion, growth, and kindness.

During the month of February, our nation celebrates Black History Month. Together we must continue to champion the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to make our campuses more welcoming to our underserved populations.

To that end, our campuses, along with our sibling PASSHE schools, are conducting the System-wide Campus Climate Survey which opened Jan. 31. The results will allow our campuses and the State System to assess ourselves and support the development of strategies to promote inclusive campus and system communities.

If you are a student or employee of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, or Mansfield please complete the survey. Your participation is important and anonymous.

It is our goal to make our university families and communities open and welcoming to all.

Frederick Douglass, one of the great Black scholars of the 19th century, penned many profound words on education. He underlined the importance of education as part of a process of realizing human potential, furthering justice, and achieving freedom: “Education …means emancipation,” he said. “It means light and liberty.”

During Black History Month, I encourage you to engage one another with kindness, respect, and understanding. Let us take this opportunity to embody our values through our actions and bring light and liberty to those around us.

    Bashar W. Hanna, President

Challenge Yourself in 2022

The start of a new calendar year always brings me a sense of excitement, anticipation, and hope for the coming year. While I have never been someone to make resolutions, I have spent some time looking for ways to become a better version of myself as a husband, father, brother, uncle, colleague, and leader. 

Taking a step back, like an artist staring at a blank wall and reimagining who you are, is a healthy way to grow as a person. Whether that means creating good habits or committing to doing something to help others, it takes time and continuous effort to be the best you. So don't be afraid to challenge yourself in 2022. Together, we can make our community a shining example for others.

As our campuses spring back to life and we welcome students from the semester break, we move forward with enthusiasm immersed in the details of the integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield. Each day walking through the doors of Carver Hall I am energized knowing our vision for the integrated university is taking shape, and the promise of an exemplary student experience remains our highest priority. The expansion of high-quality affordable educational opportunities for our students remains our steadfast commitment. 

 We're also looking forward to spring semester traditions that are the hallmark of maintaining vibrant campuses within our respective communities. And most importantly, we're changing the lives of students and their families forever. In short, we're reimagining public higher education for the coming decades!

If you have any questions about the integration process, please email neintegration@bloomu.edu or check out bloomu.edu/integration for more information.

So remember, a new year means a new blank canvas awaits to paint a new picture. Always remember, as Iva Ursano, a Canadian blogger, once wrote, 'You are the artist of your own life. Don't hand the paintbrush to anyone else.'

Go Huskies!

    Bashar W. Hanna, President

Women’s History Month

I couldn’t let March fly by without paying homage to the women who have shaped my life.

First, my mother, who passed away at the age of 84, one week after my inauguration as president of Bloomsburg University. Mom epitomized selflessness, she sacrificed more for my father, sisters, and me than any one person should. The gifts of empathy, sincerity, and above all selflessness that I carry with me today are possible only because of her.

My six sisters, without whose support nothing would be possible. The courage and reassurance they provide allow me to carry on and persevere regardless of circumstances. I lean on them more than a sibling should. Without exception, they have always been there. 

Our lives have been colored with highs – weddings, births, high school and college graduations, Ph.D. conferral – and our share of lows – cancer X4 (which took mom away), strokes, heart attacks, death (dad in 2011 and mom in 2018). Through all the highs and more importantly, the lows, the seven of us had and will continue to have each other.

My college and Ph.D. mentor, Dr. Nina Hillman – who saw something in me that I never saw in myself. I am grateful to her every day for not giving up on me and guiding me through my undergraduate and doctoral years.

My life partner, Deanna whom God guided into my life while we were undergraduates at Temple University. She has been and continues to be – my rock, my best friend, my patient partner and an insightful sounding board. Without her, NOTHING would be possible.

Last and certainly, not least, I have the honor and privilege of being Lauren’s father. She has taught me more about life and the world than she will ever know.

In closing, I honor the legacy and life lessons learned from these strong women by being empathetic, altruistic and to serve with a servant-leadership mentality.

Sincerely, 

        Bashar W. Hanna, President

Servant leadership at BU

It’s often said that servant leaders put others before themselves. This statement epitomizes the leadership team at Bloomsburg University. At a time when we are stretched beyond reason, a simple challenge led to servant leadership in practice.

Two years ago, I proposed an idea to my 30+ colleagues who are members of BU’s Leadership Council (my direct reports and their direct reports): that each of us mentor between one and three students who were academically at risk.

Through the end of the Fall 2020 semester, we have now mentored 157 total students. As important as the intervention provided for our most valuable stakeholders (our students) are the lessons learned by my colleagues and me. It’s fair to say that each of us has learned far more from our student-mentees than we had anticipated.

The endless challenges that our students face — exacerbated by a global pandemic — are both heartbreaking and tear-provoking. The experience of hearing our students’ stories has made us more empathetic and altruistic, and perhaps most importantly it has galvanized us to remain steadfast in our commitment to transforming the life of every student.

History may remember us by the outcome of our efforts — let’s double down on making sure our efforts lead to better futures for our students, especially our most vulnerable.

Sincerely, 

        Bashar W. Hanna, President

Servant Leadership

Servant leadership. According to Robert Greenleaf, who coined the term servant leadership, this exercise of power “begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead.” During my almost three decades of higher education experience, the most effective leadership is servant leadership in action.

Far too frequently our students provide us with amazing lessons in this type of leadership.

As I walk the campus and observe, often from afar, I am amazed what our students do for each other, the university, and our neighbors.

During move-in week our OWL’S and CA’s provided servant leadership with poise, dignity, and most importantly a genuine SMILE. There was no task that was too small or no frustrated first-year students and their family, that would keep this dedicated group from making the day a memorable one for everybody.

Also, Joar Dahn, our CGA president and an immigrant like me, along with his executive board, have shown leadership in action. Joar has met with town leaders to facilitate conversations so that our students and our neighbors in town can exist symbolically along-side each other.

Our faculty also show us servant leadership. I am utterly amazed at the level of service the BU faculty provides on and off campus. For example, two faculty members, Kurt Smith and Scott Lowe, both from the department of philosophy, serve on the town Planning Commission. Retired faculty members Jim Pomfret and Chang Shub Roh also work together delivering meals on wheels. And I am sure I haven’t even scratched the surface of others who volunteer in many ways across campus and our town and region.

Our staff is also very active serving others. For example, Donna Gillaspy, administrative assistant in the sports information office, is a volunteer at the Bloomsburg Elks Lodge as well as with the Bloomsburg Women’s Civic Club and serves as mission team leader at the Wesley United Methodist Church.

BU is a special place because of the servant leaders that prefer to lead with action rather than words. Valuable lessons for all, especially newcomers to the Huskies family like me.

Bashar