We are pleased to introduce to you our visiting lecturer, Dr. Carley H. Dodd who, for the past two weeks, has been teaching a class on Leadership Foundations. Dr. Dodd holds a BA, MA from Abilene Christian University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma. He is Professor of Communication, author of 13 books, 150 articles/papers, and consultant/speaker. He has been married for 48 years to Ada, with whom they have 4 children and 7 grandchildren. He is an elder at the Southern Hills church of Christ in Abilene, Texas, USA. He shared with us his impression about ACC and these are his words.
I have been privileged to teach undergraduate and graduate students at three universities over the past 40 years. In accepting an invitation from African Christian College (ACC) to teach second and third year students a course in Leadership Foundations, I was not sure what to expect. Were the students prepared? Could language or culture be an issue? How much can they learn in a two week short course regarding complex material?
What a pleasant surprise it is to find mature students whose attention is amazing. They read, listen carefully, pay close attention to each other, and respond to class discussion in some of the best discussions I have experienced in higher education. Their exams reveal time spent in preparation, while team project presentations also reveal high preparation and performance. Their library has some of latest and seminal works on the topics for this class, and it is a daily joy to see the students at the library reading, analysing, and writing.
I cannot begin to say enough of the delightful interpersonal relationships with the students as well. That is, they are welcoming, friendly, and cooperation. Friendliness aside, they are also quick to clarify, ask questions, and freely discuss ideas not only in class but outside of class in various settings. In this way, they reveal the best of an academic context. Stated another way, they demonstrate some of the best qualities of advanced students, which is evidence that they come here being selected for having high potential. Once they arrive at ACC, they are presented from the first year on with challenging work, and this predisposition and early experience thus enhance and set the stage for high performance throughout their college years.
Finally, when I consider the excellent work in the classroom and in research but also combine that experience with programs of disciplined discipleship and activates that engage spiritual formation, it is easy to see why ACC has had and should continue to have an outstanding future. May the Lord bless his work to raise up leaders to change Africa and the world.
