Gerald P. Buccino ’63 Center for Leadership Development Dedication Ceremony
On October 8, 2015 the Center for Leadership Development was officially dedicated to Gerald P. Buccino in the presence of family, friends, students and alumni. Dr. Buccino’s commitment to the Center, now formally known as the Gerald P. Buccino ’63 Center for Leadership Development, has allowed the program to thrive and set itself apart from any other educational leadership program in the country.
Jerry and Christopher Buccino cut the ribbon to the Gerald P. Buccino ’63 Center for Leadership Development at the dedication ceremony.
Jerry Buccino serves as a mentor, coach and supporter for each student in the Leadership Program. His unwavering support and backing of the Center allows both the Center and its students to succeed. In 1996, Dr. Buccino began a scholarship endowment which continues to support Leadership Studies students as they pursue higher education. In addition to this generous endowment, Jerry has also recently given a $1 million gift to the program that will continue to elevate the program above and beyond what was envisioned at the start of the program. Dr. Buccino spoke about the importance of the learnings that students develop through being part of the program. Students in the program are servant leaders in the University community, and when they enter the real world they are more prepared and ready to take on any challenge that may be presented to them. Dr. Buccino has created a legacy within the Stillman School of Business that prepares the best and brightest to set off into the world and make a difference.
The mission of the Leadership program is to “Develop extraordinary leaders who will be recognized for the values and principles by which they live, their vision and purpose in life, the outstanding results that they achieve, their service to the community in which they live and their love, dedication and caring for those they serve.” The Center for Leadership Development has gone above and beyond this mission for the past 20 years, and will continue to reach new heights in the future. In addition to the 20th anniversary of the Center, the evening also celebrated the number one ranking given to the program at the 2015 Leadership 500 Excellence Awards. Hundreds of leadership programs across the country apply for this prestigious award each year, and the Center for Leadership Development is honored by their recognition. Dean Joyce Strawser recognized the program for being one of the distinguishing factors of the Stillman School of Business, drawing in ‘the-best-of-the-best’ to join the Stillman family and truly putting Stillman on the radar of the brightest students coming into college.
According to Program Director Mike Reuter, this ranking does not mean that the Program is going to be done growing any time soon; it is already proving to be the inspiration for new growth and learnings for everyone involved with the Center. Mike shared his vision for the future of the program with all in attendance. What truly sets the program apart from all others in the country is the experiential learning that takes place outside of the classroom. Mike plans to take these learnings even higher by getting more c-suite executives involved with the program so that students are truly being taught by the top tier of executives in their fields.
Current Buccino Scholars, Alumni Buccino Scholars, Jerry Buccino, Program Director Mike Reuter and Dean Joyce Strawser celebrate the dedication of the Gerald P. Buccino ’63 Center for Leadership Development.
The Gerald P. Buccino ’63 Center for Leadership Development continues to raise the bar for students and executives alike. Congratulations Dr. Buccino on this great honor!