As a new club on campus, Organization of Woman Leaders has lots of plans for this year.

President Nicole McAllister was approached last year by Karley Riffe, the previous resident director for Wehrle Hall, and was asked to help put on a social/networking event for female students and faculty.

“This began to make me think about the true need for the women of Gannon to come together and talk about leadership, service and just life,” McAllister explained.

The idea intrigued her, so she got her friends together and proposed the idea. With the help of her friends (the current executive board) and Riffe (the current advisor), they became an official club in the spring of 2014.

Last year they also held their first networking event, Night Owls. With help from the APB Late Night Programming Grant they were able to have cupcakes with owls on them from Ye Ole Sweet Shoppe, crafts, a speaker and massages.

This semester they have a theme for their event, “Inspiring Excellence.”  A networking event will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 13, in the Yehl Ballroom and will include faculty, staff, alumni and students.

“We chose this theme because it’s important in all of our lives,” McAllister said. “We must all take on the responsibility to inspire excellence in the people around us.  If we all embody this ideal, then we will all benefit and truly be inspired.”

At the first meeting on Oct. 1, Dr. Carolynn Masters, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, and Erin Sekerak, associate director of Alumni Services, came to speak with the group. They talked about their journey as women leaders and how they ended up where they are today.

Throughout the year, there will be various social and service events with more speakers. They are also hoping there will be a Leadership Conference that they can send a few members to each year if funding is available.

The current executive board is all seniors, so McAllister said that there are leadership positions available for students. If anyone is interested, they are encouraged to email her at [email protected]. With motivated woman leaders in charge, she hopes O.W.L will become well- known on campus.

“I want to see our semesterly networking events becoming a staple on campus,” McAllister said.

“And most importantly, I want to see women’s leadership being celebrated by our faculty/staff, students and alumni.”

KAT SHINDLEDECKER, [email protected]