Stevens VP speaks before World Leadership Congress in Washington, DC

HOBOKEN, N.J. — Stevens Institute of Technology’s Vice President of Institute Technology Initiatives, Dr. Helena S. Wisniewski, was a speaker on the “Distinguished Leaders Panel,” Saturday, July 23, 2005, which kicked off the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) World Leadership Congress’ outstanding line-up of speakers.

This year’s theme of the Congress was “Uniting the World’s Youth of Today – for a Better Tomorrow.”

The theme for Saturday was “Building Strong Leaders for the Future.” Additional members of Wisniewski’s panel were the founding father of the Internet – Dr. Robert Kahn, who is now the CEO of the Corporation for National Research Initiatives; Mr. John Sanders, Chairman, Washington DC Technology Council; and the former CIO of the Army, Miriam Browning.

The Congress continued though July 29, 2005, with notables such as the Surgeon General of the US, Vice Admiral Richard Carmona as the keynote speaker for “Leadership in Government.”

Other days focused on “Technology Forecast 2020,” with the Chief Scientist of NASA, Dr. James Garvin; Dr. Malcom Gillis the President (emeritus) of Rice University; a Vice President of AOL, Dawn Meyerreicks; and the Vice President of CSC, William Koff.

“Leadership in Service” focused on speakers from the American Red Cross – its Chairman for International Services, Ms. Balasubramanian; and the Director of the UN World Food Service, Ms. Parmelee.

The week ended with a banquet at the Omni Shoreham Hotel with keynote speaker Mr. Steven Cullertson, CEO of Youth services America. Included in the WLC program was a welcome letter from President Bush and accolades from senators and congressman as well as additional leaders from government and the corporate world, including HOBY alumni, such as the current Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee.

More than 400 students representing all 50 US states and 20 countries were selected as ambassadors to HOBY’s Leadership Congress. They will interface in Q&A panels with some of the world’s top leaders from business, government and the global community to directly learn more about leadership and major world issues. Topics covered include leadership, human rights, technology, law and justice and community service. These outstanding students will also experience the rich legacy of DC with visits to Capitol Hill, museums and national monuments. George Washington University is hosting the Congress, with events being held at the National Academy of Sciences, Smithsonian Museums, Union Station and at various memorials around DC.

About the World Leadership Congress

The purpose of the Leadership Congress is to provide high school students the opportunity to discover their leadership potential and how to use their potential to become the leaders of tomorrow. HOBY was founded by Hugh O’Brian when he was inspired by the legendary Dr. Albert Schweitzer. During his visit to Schweitzer in Africa, the doctor shared his concern that the US must take the leadership role in world peace, and that our youth are critical to making it happen. O’Brian accepted the challenge and founded HOBY, in the summer of 1958. Since then 335,000 students have participated, with 7,500 instructed annually at 71 leadership seminars each year in more than 71 countries, culminating each year at the Congress with 20 countries represented

About Stevens Institute of Technology

Founded in 1870, Stevens Institute of Technology is one of the leading technological universities in the world dedicated to learning and research. Through its broad-based curricula, nurturing of creative inventiveness, and cross disciplinary research, the Institute is at the forefront of global challenges in engineering, science, and technology management. Partnerships and collaboration between, and among, business, industry, government and other universities contribute to the enriched environment of the Institute. A new model for technology commercialization in academe, known as Technogenesis®, involves external partners in launching business enterprises to create broad opportunities and shared value.

Stevens offers baccalaureates, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering, science, computer science and management, in addition to a baccalaureate degree in the humanities and liberal arts, and in business and technology. The university has a total enrollment of 2,150 undergraduate and 3,500 graduate students, with about 250 full-time faculty. Stevens’ graduate programs have attracted international participation from China, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America. Additional information may be obtained from its web page at www.stevens.edu.  

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