Have you ever been to a Missouri State athletic event and got your picture taken with Boomer? If so there’s a chance you have taken a picture with this week’s LeaderBear and had no idea.  The LeaderBear we are referring to is Blake Shepheard, who has the awesome job of being one of students who serve as Boomer at community and athletic events. Blake is a sophomore criminology major who plans to graduate in 2017.

When he’s not busy showing his radiant school spirit, Blake is busy serving his many leadership roles on Missouri State’s campus.  He graduated from the Commerce Bank Emerging Leaders program in the spring of 2014.  The leadership skills he learned in the program have helped in his roles as an RHA executive board member, a member of the Relay for Life planning committee, and a participant in the LeaderShape Academy over the summer.  Blake most recently took on a role as a Resident Assistant in Blair-Shannon House for the 2014-2015 school year.

The top 5 strengths that help Blake in his leadership roles are: Belief, Connectedness, Relator, Responsibility, and Strategic.

When asked what about our programs impacted him the most he replied,

“My favorite moment of the Commerce Bank Emerging Leaders Program was the retreat. We had the ability to spend time with some of the top student leaders in all parts of campus and build life-long friendships that will help us to make our various student organizations as great as possible.”

His advice to younger students:

“Like anything else, your experience at Missouri State is what you make of it. It would be simple to attend class, study, pass the exams and graduate in four years with your diploma. Don’t strive for the simple path. Take the path that will teach you new things, subject you to new and unfamiliar experiences, make you uncomfortable, allow you to meet new people, learn new things about yourself, require you to ask tough questions, help you to stand up for what you believe in and ultimately, earn your degree. Submerge yourself in what you are passionate about. Our time is limited here at MSU, make the most of it while you can. Strive each day to improve yourself and to make someone’s day better. You never know what kind of impact you will make! Step out of your comfort zone and get involved early on. You will undoubtedly grow into a great student leader.”