Randy Pausch was an educator at
Dr. Pausch gave a last lecture presentation in September 2007 and it became an Internet sensation when the video of the address was posted on YouTube (Gibbs, 2008). The last lecture is a common exercise on college campuses. The university’s tradition was for a popular professor to present a lecture about things that mattered most to them, as though they had only this one opportunity left to present it to their students (Pausch & Zaslow, 2009). Randy’s easy going manner, high energy and simple instructions for life were presented with a complete lack of self-pity about his terminal illness (Gibbs, 2008). The lecture was also put into a book of the same name.
I choose him as an educational leader because of his easy to understand address on how to achieve one’s dreams. Randy titled the lecture “Really achieving your childhood dreams”. The points he discussed are applicable to many of life’s challenges.
References
Pausch, R., & Zaslow, J. (2008). The Last Lecture.
Young, J. R. (2007). After His Last Lecture, a Computer Scientist Contemplates His Final Months. Chronicle of Higher Education, 54(7), A11. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://web.ebscohost.com
Randy Pausch had some similar characteristics with my leadership choice, Oprah Winfrey. Both have used their power of words and audience to send a message. These leaders have been able to challenge our current thinking. Randy Pausch gave an abridged version of his speech on the Oprah show in October 2007. Both had a message to send about how to live your life. Oprah continues to send inspirational messages to her audience while Randy Pausch’s “Last Lecture” will never be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteHello Nick,
ReplyDeleteI just sent a comment which for some unknown reason was not posted. Sorry.
Hi Nick,
ReplyDeleteI;ll try to remember what I just said:
I agree with Gayle about Oprah Winfrey and Randy Pausch having similar qualities as leaders. Both draw upon a deep sense of morality and spirituality. Both serve as leaders in the sense that they are able to send a message of change to millions.
The last lecture format has been used at ESU. It calls upon the presenter to closely examine their priorities. It calls upon the audience to do the same hopefully so that it will lead to change. It calls upon the lecturer to dig deep into their innermost feelings and share; this is no easy task. This reflective exercise is one that all leaders should do.
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ReplyDeleteRandy,
ReplyDeleteHow unfortunate such a popular leader of our young people had to leave us so early. It was ironic that his last lecture was supposed to impart to the students his greatest hope for them, as if it were the last chance he had to do so.
I can see why you chose him as your leader. His kind, easy-going manner continually showed students how to not give up and to follow their childhood dreams. I also admire his desire to be a good role model for his students. I once had the aunt of a student tell me that I was the most important person in Valerie's life. Valerie had been living with her grandmother after being abandoned by her own mother. I momentarily felt a sense of dread, but ultimately realized how very critical my being a positive role model for students really was.
He had the qualities of a very effective leader.