| September 17, 2011 |
This student leadership conference is designed to introduce Canisius students to the different aspects of leadership while allowing current student leaders the chance to hone their leadership skills. There are three distinct tracks for students to follow: students, new organization leaders, and experienced organization leaders
The philosophy of the Leadership Developement office is to incorperate the Social Change Model. For more information on the Social Change Model, please click on the blue box at the left.
This conference is open to ALL Canisius Students!
Please note: All student organizations are required to send at least two Executive Board members to this conference.
Please note: All student organizations are required to send at least two Executive Board members to this conference.
Online iLead Conference Registration is now CLOSED!
Please call the office of Campus Programming & Leadership Development to register by phone, 716-888-2190.
Keynote Speaker
On September 22, 1996, his life changed forever. While driving from Colorado to Oregon for his final semester of college, Jason was involved in a car accident and suffered a spinal cord injury. Paralyzed from the neck down, Jason would spend the next three-and-a-half months rehabilitating and rebuilding his life.As he continued his recovery, Jason discovered Quadriplegic “Quad” Rugby. Although intimidating at first, Jason found peer support and the revival of his competitive spirit in the rough sport. He soon began training full-time. Because of the sport and his teammates, Jason recaptured an active and productive life.
He is very active with the United States Paralympic Committee and Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) speaking on behalf of both groups at every opportunity.
Jason serves as a powerful role model for all young people who face daunting challenges in their lives. His good humor, inspirational attitude and story of a long journey back from injury will give college audiences a special perspective on the power of the human spirit.
Jason has been playing Quad Rugby for over 10 years. He was first introduced to the game while in rehab at Craig Hospital in Englewood, CO. He first tried out for a developmental national team in 1999. After being cut from four full national teams, he finally made a developmental team in 2005 and the full Paralympic team in 2006. Jason earned a gold medal in Beijing as a member of the 2008 U.S.Paralympic Team and was named U.S. Quad Rugby Association’s Athlete of the Year for 2008. He’d like to continue on with the team to the 2012 Paralympics in London.
Off the court, Jason has earned a dual masters degree with an MBA and MS in Marketing from the University of Colorado. He has helped to run his club team as president of the Denver Harlequins Wheelchair Rugby team for the past 10 years. He has also served on the United States Quad Rugby Association as vice president for the past five years. He owns his own company, Spellbynder, which focuses on public speaking.
Jason says playing rugby has been the biggest influence in returning to an active lifestyle and recapturing life after his injury.