University of Findlay Faculty Evaluate Tomorrow’s Leaders at Leadership Scholarship Competition
Lauren Smetzer
Posted On March 3, 2025
On Feb. 22, 2025, the University of Findlay hosted its second Leadership Scholarship Competition of the year. Faculty members who volunteered shared their favorite aspects of observing the next generation of leaders.
The Leadership Scholarship recognizes and rewards students who demonstrate outstanding leadership and community service. Students must have a minimum of 22 ACT, 1110 SAT, or a GPA of 4.0 or higher to participate.
Faculty members from each College evaluated applicants as they participated in group activities, while current students conducted interviews to assess leadership potential. The event also allowed participants to meet future classmates and professors while exploring the Findlay campus.
Assistant Professor of Education Antonio Davis volunteered for the first time this year and already looks forward to the next competition.
“Having a background in K-12 education, I genuinely enjoy working with students,” said Davis. “I cherish the opportunity to contribute to students’ leadership journeys, even if it’s just for a brief moment… I also appreciate the chance to continue serving as a mentor for them if our paths cross again.”
LaDonna Weir, assistant professor of teaching in occupational therapy, has helped with the scholarship event for four years now and plans to continue. Though she primarily works with graduate students, she loves connecting with incoming students and watching them grow together as a group: “By the time the day is over, each group comes together as a cohesive entity working to achieve a common goal.”
What makes a leader stand out? Davis and Weir offer different perspectives.
Davis looks for students who actively engage in completing the activities’ tasks, who show courage to try new approaches and offer suggestions, and who handle conflict or disappointment constructively when ideas don’t succeed.
Weir focuses on students who see the big picture and the value the entire group when completing tasks: “These students are confident yet flexible, unafraid to take risks or fail. A good leader considers all the options before acting and acknowledges the contributions of others.”
While only one future Oiler will receive a full-tuition scholarship this round, all students who fully participate in the competition earn a $1,500 scholarship. University officials will notify the winner within two weeks.
Students interested in learning more about the scholarship or the University of Findlay can visit findlay.edu.
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