[this originally appeared on our Law School Site] Law students looking for advice about leadership were given a lot to think about when former Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner visited the Delaware campus recently for an informal talk in the student lounge.
Minner, who was widowed at 32 with three young children and only a 10th-grade education, said success is tied to confidence. If you lack it, don’t let it show.
“Perception is what I call 85 percent of the job,” she said. “If you show confidence they’ll think, ‘She knows what she’s doing, she’ll handle this problem.’’’
Her ability to stay cool under pressure has been tested repeatedly. Minner explained how she had to find work to support her children after her husband died, but she couldn’t secure a car loan without a man’s co-signature. She eventually managed with the help of an acquaintance in the auto business, but the roadblocks were enough to inspire a political career that led to Woodburn. She earned her general equivalency diploma, began work as a secretary in Legislative Hall and eventually ran for House of Representatives. Twenty six years and 11 successful campaigns later, she became Delaware’s first female governor in 2000.
To underscore her theme about confidence, Minner told the story of hosting a dinner party for 32 guests at Woodburn not long after the Sept. 11 tragedy. An airplane carrying 258 passengers became lost over Delaware, but without knowing the full extent of the problem public safety officials were quickly suspicious. The plane ultimately landed safely at Dover Air Force Base, but not before she was involved in some difficult briefings about the public-safety threat the situation presented, and even how the plane might have to be forcibly brought down. She maintained her composure with her guests, while also handling 11 phone briefings.
“On the inside you may be turning upside down but on the outside you can’t let it show,” she said.
Earlier this year, I nominated LeaNora Ruffin, Assistant Dean of our Career Development Office for the 2009 Office of Women in Higher Education, Delaware Network, Leadership Award. At the Annual Fall Dinner and Awards Ceremony held in Dover at Wilmington University, LeaNora was honored with this prestigious award. Co-workers and family attended this event. The keynote speaker was Lillian M. Lowery, Secretary of Education for the Delaware Department of Education. The president of the ACE OWHE Delaware Chapter this year is our own Deborah McCreery, Assistant Vice President for Law School Development and Alumni Relations for the Delaware and Harrisburg campuses.
This past Sunday, November 1, I had the privilege of addressing a crowd of dedicated Delaware Volunteer Legal Services (DVLS) supporters as they prepared to race. These dedicated souls braved gray, rainy skies for the inaugural 5k Run/Walk on a beautiful course that began at Rockford Park. Widener Law alumns, faculty and friends of the Law School along with other community leaders ran the course.
In October, I was invited to attend the press announcement concerning the re-opening of the former General Motors plant in Dover, Delaware to allow for the production of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.Vice President Joseph Biden, Delaware’s Governor Jack Markell and other important community leaders were in attendance. I received the invitation as I am a member of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.
The plant was purchase by Fisker Automotive, a California-based auto producer.
Widener Law alumni and their guests joined me for a delicious brunch at XIX, followed by an afternoon at the opera to see Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, PA on Sunday, October 11th. Following the performance we were treated to a personal backstage tour and a peek at wardrobe. We also had the opportunity to meet cast member, Roger Honeywell who played Pinkerton, and the conductor, Maestro Corrado Rovaris.
This past Thursday, I held an impromptu celebration for the students and faculty in the Pit to celebrate the highest Bar pass rate in Widener Harrisburg history. Several alumni also showed up to celebrate with their professors and colleagues.
The Harrisburg campus had a first time passage rate of 94.32% for the July 2009 Bar Exam, which is the highest in Widener Harrisburg history. The announcement came on Thursday, October 8th, with Widener Harrisburg having the 3rd highest passage rate in Pennsylvania, falling short of only the University of Pennsylvania Law School at 96.08% and Temple University Beasley School of Law at 95.57%.
To see the complete July 2009 Pennsylvania Bar results please visit PaBarExam.org.
Over two dozen students and faculty members joined me at the inaugural Dean’s Wellness Walk around the Harrisburg Campus on Thursday, October 9, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. The walk, which lasted about thirty minutes, started at the Administration building and looped around the law school building, tennis courts, and bookstore.
(you can see additional photos on our Flickr album)
The purpose of the walk was to promote general wellness and the University’s new smoke-free policy that starts in July 2010. Each of the participants received a blue t-shirt that said “Widener Law, Proud to be Tobacco Free, July 2010.”
During the walk, students and faculty socialized and discussed the new tobacco-free policy that I announced earlier in the semester. I’m looking forward to making the walk an annual event.
I visited Brian Tierney, '87 last year at the Philadelphia Inquirer headquarters
On Monday, September 21st, I will welcome Brian P. Tierney ’87, Kevin C. Tierney ’82, and Michael J. Tierney ’93 to Widener Law’s Delaware Campus for my annual Dean’s Leadership Forum. From 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. in The Ruby R. Vale Moot Courtroom, Iwill interview the Tierney brothers in a talk-show style setting to discuss the qualities found in a leader.
Brian P. Tierney, Esq. is the Chief Executive of Philadelphia Media Holdings LLC and publisher of the Philadelphia Inquirer. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, he received his J.D. from Widener Law in 1987. He has worked for the Republican National Committee, served as president and CEO of the public relations division of Lewis Gilman & Kynett, and he founded the Tierney Group. In 2005, he founded Philadelphia Media Holdings LLC to buy The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, and philly.com.
Kevin C. Tierney, Esq. earned his J.D. from Widener Law in 1982 and went on to found his own Law Firm, the Law Office of Kevin C. Tierney, located on Broad Street. Michael J. Tierney, Esq. graduated from Denison University and earned his J.D. from Widener Law in 1993. He is now a Partner at the Law Firm of Dilworth Paxson LLP in Philadelphia, where he is the Co-Chair of the Media Law Practice Group.
I hope to see you all there! The event will be broadcast to the Harrisburg campus as well.
Delaware Today magazine has included me among its “14 People of Influence: Delawareans who shape the way we live.” The article is the cover story of its September issue that just arrived on newsstands. I am flattered the editors at Delaware Today chose to include me on this esteemed list. Widener Law has limitless potential. To be recognized for cultivating all its possibilities is gratifying.
“There’s a new generation of movers and shakers emerging who are shaping policies and making things happen,” the article by Assistant Editor Matt Amis begins. The story explains what drew me to Widener Law, including the school’s quality institutes. It also mentions new initiatives happening here at the Law School since my arrival in 2006, including the founding of the Jurist Academy and the launch of the Environmental Law Center.
Others selected for the magazine’s list included ’80 alumnus Alan B. Levin, former chief executive officer of Happy Harry’s and now director of economic development for the state of Delaware, Paul Herdman, president and CEO of the Rodel Foundation and Bernard Muir, the new athletic director at the University of Delaware.
Last week I attended the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association in Chicago, Illinois. Widener Law Associate Professor Christopher J. Robinette also attended as Widener Law Journal’s representative and faculty advisor. The Widener Law Journal, the student-run journal based on its Harrisburg campus, has published a collection of articles written in observance of the 50th anniversary of the National Conference of State Trial Judges (full story here) “These are articles that are highly useful to trial judges,” Robinette said.
Widener Law alumni and their guests joined me for a delicious brunch at XIX, followed by an afternoon at the opera to see Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, PA on Sunday, October 11th. Following the performance we were treated to a personal backstage tour and a peek at wardrobe. We also had the opportunity to meet cast member, Roger Honeywell who played Pinkerton, and the conductor, Maestro Corrado Rovaris.
