2011 World Leaders Forum Wrap-Up
2011 Event Summary
VIP Reception
Judson University President Jerry Cain speaks during the VIP Reception at the World Leaders Forum. All photographs courtesy of Robb Davidson '08 and Kevin Sherman '09
Earlier in the evening, 225 business leaders and sponsors of the World Leaders Forum attended a VIP reception, where they had an opportunity to network with local business and leaders, such as former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar. During the reception, Elgin Mayor Ed Schock presented President Bush with a 100-year-old Elgin men’s pocket watch, which Schock said has more meaning since the famous watches were once produced in Elgin. Following the reception formalities, VIP guests were given the opportunity to meet and have a photo with the former president.
Main Presentation
Dr. James MacDonald, senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, opens the World Leaders Forum in prayer. All photographs courtesy of Robb Davidson '08 and Kevin Sherman '09
After the VIP Reception, more than 1,300 attended the Main Presentation. A central message to the evening's main event was the value of personal principles regarding faith and freedom. In his keynote address, 43rd President of the United States George W. Bush encouraged the crowd of professionals to follow their principles.
"Principles last forever," said the President. "I say I came to Washington with a set of principles and I've left Washington with those same principles still in place."
Former President George W. Bush waves goodbye after his participation in the World Leaders Forum. All photographs courtesy of Robb Davidson '08 and Kevin Sherman '09
"Be ready to make decisions," Bush said adamantly to the group of local leaders and entrepreneurs. "A set of values that won't change is essential when leading an organization in the midst of a changing environment." After President Bush's keynote address, Judson trustee Carol Thompson moderated a formal question and answer session in which the president responded to questions from Judson students, staff and faculty.
A panel of entrepreneurs also answered questions submitted from the Judson community which were moderated by Judson's Dean of the School of Leadership and Business, Dr. Tom Berliner. Nathan Latka of Lujure Media, Lisa Canning of The Institute of Arts Entrepreneurship, and Kraig Kleeman of Blaire Group shared wisdom and guiding principles of entrepreneurship and leadership that helped them become successful.
Lisa Canning, from left, Nathan Latka and Kraig Kleeman discuss ideas with Judson's Tom Berliner during the World Leaders Forum. All photographs courtesy of Robb Davidson '08 and Kevin Sherman '09
When asked about balancing ethics and profits during the moderated question and answer session for accomplished entrepreneurs, panelist Kraig Kleeman of Blaire Group contributed to that idea stating, "Ethics versus profits is an issue on the minds of the American people since the recent economic downturn. When I think about ethics versus profits, AGI, Lehman Brothers, and many other corporate names come to mind. Greed is a catalyst for financial meltdown. Entrepreneurs can never ever trade ethics for profit. Never. Never. Never. End of story."
Event Photos
All photographs courtesy of Robb Davidson '08 and Kevin Sherman '09
Judson Promo Video
Slides about Judson
News Coverage from the World Leaders Forum
Courier News
Bush Talk Earns Applause and a Portrait
By Emily McFarlan...
It’s not your typical presidential portrait: The former president leans against a fence post, wearing a button-down denim shirt and a wide smile. There’s no suit, no stiff pose, no American flag in the background.
“He’s got a bigger smile on his face. He’s more relaxed,” said John Carlson of La Galerie in St. Charles... Read More >>
TribLocal
Bush stresses principles to students
By Melissa Jenco
Judson University students said they got to see a different side of George W. Bush than they were used to when he spoke on campus and many walked away impressed.
The former president talked on entrepreneurship last week as part of the Elgin school’s inaugural World Leaders Forum. In addition to his keynote address, he also took part in a question-and-answer session in front of a crowd of 1,300. Roughly 550 of those were Judson students... Read More >>
News Radio 780AM WBBM
Hastert Acknowledges Increasing Gap Between Rich And Poor
By Craig Dellimore
Former President George W. Bush is visiting Elgin this evening to give an economic address and answer questions.
WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore spoke with another of the high-profile invited guests.
Former President Bush was invited to kick off Judson University’s World Leaders’ Forum with a talk about free enterprise, and the idea that it’s the dream of all free people. Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert was invited too, and he agrees with the premise, even if some people can’t achieve that dream. He said the gap between the rich and poor is growing. Listen Here >>
CBS News
Bush, Obama Set To Come To Chicago
By Regine Schlesinger
Over the next 48 hours, the Chicago area will host two presidents – one a former president and the second, the current president.
As WBBM Newsradio 780′s Regine Schlesinger reports, first, the 43rd president, George W. Bush, comes to town Wednesday to inaugurate the first World Leaders’ Forum at Judson University and Evangelical School in Elgin… Listen Here>>
Daily Herald
Ticket to See Bush in Elgin a Dream Come True for Grayslake Veteran, Wife
By Kerry Lester
Jose and Lisa Guerrero didn’t just live through former President George W. Bush’s policy decisions during his eight-year tenure as president — their lives were dramatically altered by them.
Jose, a 26-year member of the Army National Guard, was deployed under Bush three different times — in Germany as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, in Iraq in 2005 and in Afghanistan in 2008… Read More>>