Story by Kayla Harrell, Staff writer
The National Society of Leadership and Success gets students involved on campus and in the community.
The National Society of Leadership and Success held its orientation for new members Tuesday in Mason Hall.
The National Society of Leadership and Success became an established chapter two years ago at Murray State. The society has inducted 73 members since being established.
Peter Ney, vice president of the society, said the society is a group to help students achieve their goals, dreams for life and to make them better leaders for the world.
Students pay a one-time fee of $85 and complete steps toward induction to become a member. One of the steps includes attending a leadership training day on either Oct. 11 or Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. in Mason Hall.
Members are required to listen or watch speaker broadcasts and discuss them with their peers. Members also participate in three success networking team meetings.
“These meetings keep the individual on task to their goal,” Ney said.
Students receive multiple benefits from joining this society. Members can receive scholarships and awards, graduation honors, nationwide networks and more, according to the National Society of Leadership and Success website.
Paige Effinger, treasurer of the National Society of Leadership and Success, said she has gained confidence by being a part of the society.
“Through this leadership opportunity, I gained knowledge on how to be a successful employee and student,” she said.
The leadership skills gained from joining the society help students in their career development.
Elle LaPlante, freshman from Marion, Kentucky, said the society builds and strengthens skills needed in the work force and helps students get jobs when they graduate college.
Philanthropy is one goal of the chapter this year. The society was founded with the sole purpose of creating lasting positive change, according to the National Society of Leadership and Success website.
Thomas Shelburn, sophomore from Benton, Kentucky, said he looks forward to the opportunity to give back to the community.
“One of the values of the society is building leaders to make a better world,” Ney said.
The National Society of Leadership and Success gets students involved on campus and connects them with the community.
“The society gives me the chance to reach out to businesses before I graduate college,” Shelburn said.
These connections help students to develop relationships with companies and future employers. Sources like these provide students a wider range of career options after graduation.
About 89 percent of society members transitioning into careers landed the job of their choice upon graduation, according to the June 2015 national survey of society members provided by the National Society of Success and Leadership. Of those students, 83 percent attributed their success to the society.
The society implemented tactics to bring awareness to Murray State students about the society itself and the aspects it encompasses.
“Publicity and advertising are some focuses our executive board have been working on,” Effinger said.
Murray State’s chapter started Facebook and Twitter accounts and plan to use them to publicize the society better.
“Joining this society gives me a great opportunity to meet other students and be involved with people,” Shelburn said. “It also gives me a good opportunity to better myself in the process.”