2019 McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character
The mission of the McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character (MCLC) is to bring together a diverse group of the top undergraduate student leaders from across the globe with world class senior leaders who act as mentors in a team-based, experiential event that bolsters leadership skills, fosters critical thinking and collaboration, and develops potential strategies for addressing pressing global issues.
Conference History
The McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character began in 2012 with the vision of being the premier transformative, short-duration leadership experience for young, emerging global leaders who unite together with preeminent world leaders in an enduring partnership. The annual conference is made possible by the vision and resources of founding benefactors Secretary & Mrs. Robert McDonald and is supported by a kind gift from the Garrison and Sharman families. The conference has been hosted each year by the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership. Since its inception, the event has touched the lives of over 600 students and senior leaders through its exploration of relevant and timely themes.
2019 Theme & Panel Topics
Theme: Leading with Character in a Technology-Driven World
Our world, our organizations, and our interactions with others continue to be shaped by evolving technology. For the 2019 MCLC, we are interested in how technology has impacted leadership – we will explore this impact through the discussion of: Making Decisions, Developing Character, and Leading Innovation.
Panel 1: Making Decisions
Leaders make decisions – often in times of crisis. How has technology impacted a leader’s ability to make decisions? How can leaders leverage technology to make better decisions? Are there (or should there be) limits to the use of technology in decision making?
Panel 2: Developing Character
Technology has the unique ability to both shape and reflect a leader’s character. How can leaders of character best leverage technology to develop character in themselves and others?
Panel 3: Leading Innovation
This panel explores how leaders might leverage technology to establish functional cultures and creative, adaptive, and agile organizations that embrace innovation.
Event Schedule
Wednesday 20 March, 2019
| NLT 5:00 pm | International Student Fellows Arrive | Thayer Hotel Lobby |
| 5:00-6:00 pm | International Student Fellow Check In | Thayer Hotel Lobby |
Thursday 21 March, 2019
| 5:30 – 7:00 | Group Exercise: Running and Walking Tour of West Point- 5km (optional) | Thayer Hotel Lobby |
| 7:40 | Meet in Lobby | Thayer Hotel |
| 8:00 – 9:30 | International Student Fellows Breakfast Speaker: Major Steinlage and Cadet Nash | Thayer Hall 352 |
| 9:30 | Senior Fellow Liaisons meet International Student Fellows | Thayer Hall 352 |
| 9:30 – 4:00 | West Point Activities / Personal Time | Various Locations |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | International Student Fellows Lunch with Senior Fellow Liaisons and BS&L Faculty | Cullum Hall--Main Floor |
| NLT 5:00 pm | Domestic Student Fellow and Cadet Fellow Reception and Check-In | Thayer Hotel Lobby |
| 6:20 – 7:10 | Dinner | MCLC Tables, Washington Hall |
| 7:30 – 9:00 | Team Building Activity (Rock Climbing or Dancing) | Arvin Gym |
Friday 22 March, 2019
| 5:30 – 7:00 | Group Exercise: Indoor Obstacle Course (optional) | Thayer Hotel Lobby |
| 7:30 | Meet in lobby | Thayer Hotel |
| 8:00 – 9:30 | Fellows Breakfast and West Point Leader Development System Presentation Speaker: Secretary McDonald and Lieutenant Colonel Yastrzemsky | Ike’s Riverside Cafe |
| 9:30 – 11:00 | “Core of the Corps” – West Point Leader Development via music | Eisenhower Hall Theater |
| 11:00 – 11:15 | Move to Cadet mess hall & group photo | Battle Monument (Trophy Point) or Eisenhower Hall Theater |
| 11:15 – 11:45 | Tours of Trophy Point led by Team Leaders | Trophy Point |
| 11:45 – 12:00 | Teams observe regimental formation | Cadet Mess Hall Steps |
| 12:10 – 12:40 | Team lunch in mess hall | Regimental Room |
| 12:40 – 1:00 | Movement to Jefferson Hall | |
| 1:00 – 1:45 | Welcome Speaker: Cadet Nash and COL Spain | Haig Room, Jefferson Hall |
| 2:00 – 3:30 | Panel #1: Making Decisions | Haig Room, Jefferson Hall |
| 3:30 – 3:45 | Move to breakout rooms / light refreshments in foyer | |
| 3:45 – 4:45 | Breakout session #1 | Assigned Team Rooms |
| 4:45 – 5:15 | Team Photos | Outside Jefferson Hall |
| 5:15 – 6:00 | Senior Fellow Meet and Greet with Jack Ma | 6th Floor Terrace or 2nd Floor Ring Display or 514 |
| 6:30 – 8:30 | Dinner Keynote speaker: Mr. Jack Ma | Haig Room |
| 9:00 – 9:15 | Movement to Cullum Hall | |
| 9:15 – 11:30 | Evening Special | Cullum Hall--Main Floor |
Saturday 23 March, 2019
| 5:30 – 7:00 | Group Exercise: Run or Walk to historic Fort Putnam (optional) | Thayer Hotel Lobby |
| 8:00 | Shuttles to Jefferson Hall | Thayer Hotel Lobby |
| 8:30 – 9:00 | Breakfast available in foyer | Haig Room, Jefferson Hall |
| 9:00 – 10:30 | Panel #2: Developing Character | Haig Room, Jefferson Hall |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Move to breakout rooms / light refreshments in foyer | |
| 10:45 – 11:45 | Team breakout session #2 | Assigned Team Rooms |
| 11:45 – 12:00 | Move to Haig Room | |
| 12:00 – 12:45 | Senior fellow recognition lunch | Haig Room, Jefferson Hall |
| 12:45 – 2:15 | Panel #3: Leading Innovation | Haig Room, Jefferson Hall |
| 2:15 – 2:25 | Move to breakout rooms / light refreshments in foyer | |
| 2:25 – 4:00 | Team breakout session #3 | Assigned Team Rooms |
| 4:00 – 5:45 | Free Time | Thayer Hotel/ Various |
| 4:30 – 5:45 | Senior fellow social | Chief of Staff (COL Bieger) Quarters |
| 5:45 – 6:00 | Movement to Haig Room | |
| 6:00 – 8:00 | Dinner Keynote speaker: Mr. Brian Stevens | Haig Room, Jefferson Hall |
| 8:00 – 8:30 | Senior Fellow Huddle with COL Spain | Jefferson Hall 514 |
| 8:00 | Movement to Herbert Hall | Library Corner |
| 8:30 – 11:30 | Farewell Social | Herbert Hall |
| 10:30 – 11:59 | Shuttles available back to Thayer Hotel |
Sunday 24 March, 2019
| 5:30 – 7:00 | Group Exercise: “Murph” Memorial Workout (optional) | Thayer Hotel Lobby |
| 8:00 – 9:30 | Breakfast and Closing Remarks Speaker: Major Steinlage, President Swygert, and Secretary McDonald | Thayer Hotel Grant Room |
| 0930 – UTC | All fellows depart USMA Shuttles to airports & train station | Hotel Thayer Various Locations |
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