A recent theory regarding leadership states that “in order to develop a strong sense of self-awareness and understanding that, to be a leader, you must first lead yourself.”
Cabrini College strives to help young adults in reaching their goals and discover their true potential in ways that one may never thought possible.
“We took our first step on a year-long journey that has brought us here today; it is my distinct honor to announce today that we’ll be launching in the Fall of 2013 ‘the Nerney Leadership Institute,’” Dr. Marie Angelella George, Cabrini’s president, said.
This announcement was said in Grace Hall on behalf of Thomas Nerney, president and chief executive officer of United States Liability Insurance Group and Cabrini alumnus of the class of 1977, who served as the keynote speaker of the evening.
“The institute will shape leadership development at Cabrini College – pulling together the many components of leadership in one unified integrated effort for all students,” George said.
Nerney’s goal is geared towards a leadership framework to help shape students and prepare them to lead not only in the office, but also throughout life.
“In the spirit of Cabrini’s mission, it’s important to me that the Nerney Leadership Institute is for all students; not just honors students, not just team captains, not for students that are involved in government affairs,” Nerney said.
In his early business years as a Cabrini student, leadership wasn’t something he thought of. Leadership was something that evolved for him “organically, through trial and error.”
But he does not believe there is a one-size-fits-all definition of leadership.
“When we think about all the ways in which people lead, I just hope that people are authentic and being true to who they are,” Nerney said. “It takes time to really understand except our strengths, our weaknesses and to find consistency, but also to stay open to uncertainty.”
Being an alumnus of Cabrini, Nerney feels his time at school really laid the foundation for how he thinks about leading.
“I think of the thousands of people that I’ve met since leaving Cabrini College 36 years ago, I’ve come to realize how important it is to be yourself – to take 100 percent accountability for how we feel, act and what we do,” Nerney said.
When asked where his life’s success began, he traces it back to his five years spent at Cabrini, which included a fifth year spent as basketball coach and administrator for the College.
“The time I spent, the people I got to know… I am so grateful to each of them for their time, their guidance, their friendship, and their belief in me,” Nerney said. “This place, these people, taught me that each and every day is truly important, and we should be extremely grateful for what we have, where we are and how life-changing it can be each and everyday.”
The overall goal of this program is to fully represent leadership development for all students, and staying true to Cabrini’s mission of the ‘Education of the Heart.’
“I hope over time the Nerney Leadership Institute can, in some small way, give each Cabrini student the push they need to begin to focus on themselves, and to learn to believe and to be grateful for what they have where they are, and who they are,” Nerney said.
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Tom Nerney ’77
• President and CEO, United States Liability Insurance Group (USLI).
• Vice Chair, Cabrini College Board of Trustees
• Co-founder of non-profit organizations front Row Seat to Learning and the Nerney Family Foundation alongside his wife, Cabrini alumna Jill Chambers Nerney ’77.
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