This week’s LeaderBear has been building leaders at Missouri State.

Cody Stout is a senior at Missouri State University planning to graduate this upcoming May with a Bachelor’s in Construction Management.  Cody has played a very active role in numerous organizations and opportunities at Missouri State, including our Commerce Bank Emerging Leaders program.  He was not only a participant and graduated from the program, but he continued to become a former facilitator to help other participants get the same experience he did.  Currently, Cody is the Chief Justice of Inter Fraternity Council and Secretary of Sigma Lambda Chi honors fraternity.  He is a member of Generation Bears, which is put on by the Construction Management program designed to mentor freshman beginning the program.  Cody is a part of the ASC Design-Build Estimating Team for Missouri State, and he and others will be competing against an estimated 20 schools in Nebraska later this semester.  In the Springfield community, Cody will be volunteering at the Bass Pro Outdoor Fitness Festival, which will take place in late October.

When asked how our leadership programs impacted Cody, he replied by saying:

“Emerging Leaders gave me the ability to work with various types of people, towards a specific goal. While working with those individuals, you are able to learn so much about them and in the end each other’s differences no longer matter. It provided me with knowledge and experience that I couldn’t have received anywhere else. The friendships that I was able to form will last a lifetime and provide me with lasting support through my endeavors after college.”

Cody’s advice for younger students looking to get involved is:

“My advice to younger students is regardless if you have found your place or not, keep pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and keep giving yourself opportunities to thrive. When you are constantly trying to better yourself and take on new opportunities, you allow others to do the same because you are their inspiration. Always be better then what people perceive you as.”

If you are interested in getting involved like Cody, and are a Junior or Senior, applications to be a Commerce Bank Emerging Leaders Facilitator are due TODAY at 4pm in the Office of Student Engagement.  Do not miss out on this great opportunity!  More information can be found at:  http://www.missouristate.edu/studentengagement/leadership/CBEL.htm