- President Greg Hamann has a message for LBCC
- "Leadership comes from everywhere," Hamann said.
- Charles Madriaga: "I really appreciate him."
- Karelia Stetz-Waters: "I'm getting a good impression..."
While many students used the April 15 in-service day as an opportunity to sleep in, staff gathered in the Russell Tripp Performance Center to hear new LBCC President Greg Hamann give his first speech to all campus employees. Hamann shared his enthusiasm for his new role at LBCC, along with his thoughts on the future of the college and his concept of leadership.
Karelia Stetz-Waters, of the English department, is looking forward to Hamann’s influence.
“I think he’s going to do a good job. I’m getting a good impression from him.”
Upon entering the theater, staff were greeted with “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas blasting from the walls. As soon as everyone was seated, the Roadrunner danced out on stage and stood behind the podium. The room was full of gasps and laughter when it removed its head and President Hamann was revealed.
Still in the costume, he gave a teaser for his address later in the program:
“It isn’t about me, it’s about us.”
True to his word, President Hamann spoke to LBCC staff members about what he sees in store for the
college.
“I know that we are going to change,” Hamann said.
With that in mind, he voiced a fear held by many: there will come a point when the college will need to learn to do less - because enrollment increases are outpacing funding. One of the staff members asked how they would know when that point came. Hamann answered that everyone would have to decide together what that point would be. However, he also acknowledged that no matter what the challenge, everyone must be sure not to violate one of LBCC’s most noble principles: the students always come first.
Counselor Charles Madriaga is ready for whatever new innovations President Hamann might make to
LBCC.
“There’s a strong sense of hope,” Madriaga said. “I really appreciate him. And, quite honestly, he’s a good man.”
President Hamann also has some interesting ideas about leadership. He wants every staff member to understand that leadership is not about power. It’s about purpose.
Hamann’s definition of leadership contained five parts to leadership: unity, creativity, adaptability, persistence, and sharing. In order for this institution to work, he noted, everyone needs to be united. Sides can’t be taken. Staff members need to share their creativity. “Creativity is not just about one idea. It’s about bringing things together,” he said.
To illustrate how leadership must be adaptive and involve persistence, Hamann cited changes that needed to be made at his former college, Clatsop Community College, in Astoria. A few of the changes
involved constructing new buildings. The only way for that to happen was for everyone involved to be flexible and to persevere.
“Leadership does not just come from the top. It comes from everywhere. Everyone has a role to play.”
Hamann said about his role, “I’m most excited about coming to a place where I can be part of this community.”
