I've Been Thinking ...

As the oldest (founded in 1915 as the National University Extension Association) and largest of the national university professional organizations created to focus on continuing higher education, NUCEA has established itself in a major leadership role for the field as a whole. This role can be attributed to many things; however, it is my belief that the single most contributing factor has been in the careful selection of its individual leaders. The role of past NUCEA presidents and others who have held various leadership positions reads like an honor roll of pioneers and patriots who have shaped the field of adult learning throughout this century. Among the many who have brightened the lights along the pathway of leadership provided by NUCEA are names like Julius Nolte of the University of Minnesota, Thurman White of the University of Oklahoma, Paul Sheats of UCLA, Stan Drazek of the University of Maryland, Robert Ray of the University of Iowa, Floyd Fisher of The Pennsylvania State University, Armand Hunter of Michigan State University, Paul Hadley of the University of Southern California, and Joe Goddard of the University of Tennessee, among others.

Another milestone in the continuing line of NUCEA leadership took place at Anaheim . . . the installation of Edward G. Simpson, Jr. as the association's 1995-96 president. As associate vice president for services at The University of Georgia and director of the Georgia Center, we know him well and we are proud of his selection for this national leadership role. Ed has had an extensive and diverse background of experiences which provide a solid foundation for national and international leadership. The mix of these experiences--which range from the public schools, to university extension, to off-campus graduate program administration, to accreditation, to being a Kellogg Visiting Fellow at Oxford, to the Georgia Center, to university administration--have endowed his education, ability, and commitment with the vision necessary to be an effective leader for NUCEA and the field.

Of all of the essential characteristics of a good leader, perhaps vision is the most important one. Combined with good planning and good followers, vision can result in positive action. Futurist Joel Barker has said that "action without vision just passes the time," however "vision with action can change the world!" (Leadership Insights, Vol. 3, No. 2, p. 4, in "Reflections on Leaders and Vision," by Walt Denero, Senior Leadership Fellow).

Jim Crupi, a recognized expert in leadership development and international business, says "today's and tomorrow's leaders need to be effective. Not just efficient; empowered from within; flexible; visionary; value driven; and informed about the larger world" (Leadership Insights, Vol. 2, No. 3, p. 10).

The months ahead will be exciting for all of us as we work together under the leadership of Ed and the National University Continuing Education Association to enhance the field through a timely analysis and advancement of knowledge about the key concerns, issues, and problems facing continuing higher education and the transformational society that is about to enter the next century. We currently in the field and the next generation just entering the field need the collective vision of NUCEA and its presidents to help us get there.

Good luck, Ed ... Anaheim was great ... see you in Boston next year at the eighty-first!

Editor's Note: Grover J. Andrews received the Julius M. Nolte Award from NUCEA in April for outstanding leadership in the field of adult and continuing education.

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