World Leaders Forum celebrates its 10th anniversary
"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples," said Mother Teresa. That's exactly what happens when someone works hard to create a positive change in our lives and has the knowledge and power to influence people. The inspiration of individuals like that creates many "ripples" and makes us follow them. We often dream about meeting those people in person, although it's not always possible. Judson University, a small private university in Elgin, created a program that has been able to consistently attract big global names to the community for the last decade. It's called the World Leaders Forum. This year, the World Leaders Forum celebrates its 10th Anniversary.
Over the past 10 years, the World Leaders Forum has given the Chicago area a rare opportunity to network with some of the world's most recognizable global leaders, such as former President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev, United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mexican President Felipe Calderón, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Vermont Governor and presidential candidate Howard Dean, and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy.
Judson is an evangelical Christian university that represents the Church at work in higher education. The institution's sixth university president is Dr. Gene C. Crume, Jr., who assumed the role of President on May 10, 2013. Dr. Crume found time in his busy schedule to share with me his thoughts and memories related to the 10th anniversary of the World Leaders Forum.
I was happy to conduct an online interview with the president of Judson University, Dr. Crume.
Q. This year, the World Leaders Forum turns 10. For those of our readers who have never heard of the World Leaders Forum, please tell what it is about and how it is related to Judson University.
A. The World Leaders Forum was founded by the former Judson University Trustee Kevin Noe in 2011. At that time it was part of Judson University. He was very involved in bringing the first couple of speakers to the Forum. The program has been so successful and it has grown so much that we decided to create it as its own separate non-profit organization that is separate from Judson but is still connected to Judson.
Q. What is the mission of the World Leaders Forum?
A. The mission of the World Leaders Forum is to bring inspiring speakers to Judson University and our community and raise money for student scholarships supporting underserved student groups and inspiring entrepreneurship and innovation.
Q. How has this small, private university in Elgin been able to consistently attract big global names to the community for the last decade?
A. Judson University has been able to consistently attract big global names because we built a successful program with our first couple of speakers. So, it became easier to recruit other speakers to become part of the program, and we built up a good track record for the event. We sometimes work with the speakers' bureau but lately with the speakers directly.
Q. How do you choose who will be invited to speak at the Forum's events?
A. We look for a person who has something important to say about global events. And we also look for a person who we think would be interesting and that the community would want to come and hear speak.
Q. Are the events organized by the World Leaders Forum open to the public?
A. Yes, they are. We do sell tickets to the event, and tickets are sold to anyone. Our donors buy tickets and donate them to the students.
Q. Do you want to say that Judson University students benefit from the events organized by the World Leaders Forum?
A. The students benefit because they have an opportunity to hear from World Leaders in person, and it's a very unique opportunity. Our students have had an opportunity to hear from, and interact with leaders, such as with Queen Noor of Jordan, George W. Bush, and Tony Blair.
Q. Why do you think it's important to hold the events organized by the World Leaders Forum and how can they change our perception of current and past events in our country and in the world?
A. The World Leaders Forum is important, especially now, because people are really struggling to listen to each other about how to make our world better. We think that bringing in interesting speakers helps foster that dialogue and conversation.
Q. Which particular event do you remember the most?
A. They all have been very compelling in many ways, and each event has its special moments. For example, it was a great opportunity to meet Queen Noor in person. How many times in your lifetime do you have an opportunity to meet someone who represents royalty?
Q. Who is going to be the next speaker and why did you think it was important to invite him?
A. Retired US Army General David Petraeus is our next speaker. General Petraeus served in both Republican and Democratic administrations. So, we think he has a unique voice in regard to what is going on right now both in our country and in places such as China, Russia and Afghanistan.
Q. How did the World Leaders Forum survive the pandemic?
A. We were very fortunate to have our board and donors still support the program. And we just waited for our first opportunity to have General Petraeus back.
Q. Do you feel that this forum makes a difference in people's lives and in their attitude towards various events in our lives?
A. Alumni who had attended our events in the past, as well as other attendees, have told us how powerful and meaningful the speakers have been to them. We have been very fortunate to receive feedback of how important and influential this program has been for them.
Q. So, would you recommend the general public to attend the World Leaders Forum events?
A. Yes, the World Leaders Forum is a unique opportunity for someone to be in the same room with someone who influences people around the world. And for most of us, we do not get this opportunity very often, and so it makes a big impact in people's lives.
Q. Where can people buy tickets for the events organized by the World Leaders Forum, and how can they find information about upcoming events?
A. They can go to www.judsonu.edu/wlf
Q. Dr. Crume, as a journalist I was pleased to find out that you have authored articles for national magazines, newspapers and academic journals. Do you currently write and in what ways are you involved with the World Leaders Forum activities?
A. I still write as often as I can. My undergraduate degree in Public Relations was in a journalism program so I have a passion for writing and telling stories that goes back pretty far in my life. I write as often as my busy schedule as a university president will allow me to do so! I enjoy different styles of writing, but writing for the broader audience in a narrative format such as magazines, blogs and newspapers interests me the most. I have been very fortunate to have articles published in academic journals, local and regional publications, blogs and in national/international publications like Cigar Aficionado and The Washington Examiner.
As President of Judson University, I serve on the Board of the World Leaders Forum. The Director of the World Leaders Forum, Julie Schmidt, and I work together on the staff side to fundraise and promote the event as well as support the Board in setting the vision for the non-profit.
Q. Thank you very much and happy 10th Anniversary!
A. Thank you!
As we see, the World Leaders Forum plays an important role in the Chicagoland community. It not only brings recognized world leaders to the Judson University campus, but it also inspires and ignites a flame of leadership for all who attend. Being the signature fundraising event for Judson University, the World Leaders Forum also helps students receive their education and widen their perspective on current events in the world.
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel," said American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou. Those who attend the World Leaders Forum even once will never forget it, because it makes them feel inspired, confident, strong and positive. And that's all that counts. Long life to the World Leaders Forum!
Natalia Dagenhart