Leadership and Service: An Introduction

This book is written specifically for emerging leaders. It introduces students to basic leadership history and theory, as well as incorporates service and emphasizes the importance of leadership for the common good. Twenty contributing authors, as well as, George S. McGovern, Donald C. Simmons, Jr., and Daniel M. Gaken have put together a comprehensive book for use in leadership courses at colleges and universities. Topics include: history of leadership, theories, communication, challenges, ethics, service, and case studies.

Daniel M. Gaken serves as the coordinator of leadership at Central Michigan University, where he develops leadership programming and teaches leadership studies. Gaken also coordinates the unique Leader Advancement Scholarship program, a residential cohort of forty scholars who complete an academic and co-curricular leadership protocol, and works with the CMU LEAD Program and the LeaderShape Institute. He is also a contributing author for this text.

George S. McGovern is a prolific author who has lectured at colleges and universities around the world. After completing his undergraduate studies at Dakota Wesleyan University, he enrolled at Northwestern University in Chicago, where he earned his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in American history and government. He has also received many honorary degrees and distinguished awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor. A war hero, twenty-two year member of Congress and the US Senate, and 1972 Democratic presidential nominee, McGovern will long be remembered for his courage in speaking out against US involvement in the Vietnam War and his work on behalf of hungry children throughout the world. He is also a contributing author for this text.

Donald C. Simmons, Jr., serves as associate professor and founding executive director of the George and Eleanor McGovern Center for Leadership and Public Service at Dakota Wesleyan University. Simmons holds a Ph.D. in history and international studies from the University of Denver. Prior to joining the DWU faculty, he founded the South Dakota Center for the Book and the South Dakota Festival of the Book, he was twice elected a city councilman, and he served as the executive director of the South Dakota Humanities Council. A former recipient of the Association of Third World Studies Presidential Award for his work related to third world development, Simmons currently serves on the editorial board of White House Studies. He is also a contributing author for this text.