There are several well-known leaders—past and present—who exemplify key leadership characteristics and inspire others to strive for greater levels of service.

According to University of the Cumberlands official Dr. Michael Colegrove, U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, (KY-05)—whose goal for a brighter future for the young people of Southern and Eastern Kentucky formed the foundation for The Center for Rural Development’s Rogers Scholars youth program—is chief among those leaders.

“I think we have a good example of a statesman in Congressman Rogers,” Colegrove, vice president for student services and director of leadership studies, told the second 2010 class of Rogers Scholars students on July 15 at The Center in Somerset. “He is a very visionary individual in programs such as this.”

Colegrove, who spoke on the characteristics of an effective leader, encouraged the 37 rising high school juniors and Rogers Scholar participants to look around them, even in the pages of history books, to find role models in the area of leadership.

Several key historical figures, he added, possess the five critical characteristics leaders should exhibit: creativity, courage, visibility, perseverance, and driving motivation. His examples included Walter “Walt” Disney, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Thomas Edison.

Colegrove also presented each Scholar with a copy of his book, “Climbing the Pyramid: The How To’s of Leadership,” which summarizes his strategies for motivated and effective leadership.

The Center for Rural Development, located in Somerset, Ky., provides economic and community development programs to residents in a 42-county service area of Southern and Eastern Kentucky, and is home to several statewide and national technology-based programs. For more information on programs available through The Center, visit www.centertech.com.

Photo Caption: Dr. Michael Colegrove, vice president for student services and director of leadership studies at the University of the Cumberlands, a private, liberal arts college in Williamsburg, entertains the second 2010 class of Rogers Scholars with a card trick with the help of Rogers Scholar Chloe Whitaker of Lincoln County. Colegrove went on to discuss leadership characteristics with the 37 rising high school juniors currently in the Scholars program on July 15 at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset.