Georgia Perimeter students, faculty and staff participated in a first-ever event for the college on Oct. 7.

GPC’s Dunwoody Campus served as the host site for a national, satellite broadcast of inspirational speaker and former NBA player Stephen Bardo.

“Mr. Bardo was excellent, he was energetic, insightful and motivational as our speaker; and most importantly he connected with the students—they loved him,” said Theodora Johnson, Dunwoody Student Life director.

Bardo spoke as part of The National Society of Leadership and Success’ National Broadcast Day series, which is available to students at its 434 member colleges and universities.

Johnson, faculty sponsor for the Dunwoody Campus Society of Leadership and Success, says hosting the event is a big honor for GPC since venues selected for the live broadcast are typically at larger schools.

“GPC Dunwoody had a packed house including both Mercer and DeVry campus faculty, staff and students,” Johnson said.

Bardo’s career included stints with the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons. He talked to Dunwoody attendees—and those tuning in via satellite—about leadership and overcoming adversity. He then took questions from the audiences and signed copies of his leadership book.

The National Society of Leadership and Success—with nearly 40 Georgia chapters—has been around for 13 years, with the goal of shaping college students for leadership roles throughout their lives. Johnson calls the organization an exceptional leadership opportunity for the students. 

 “Each student member is encouraged to bring something to the table in terms of how they personally want to change, grow or gain leadership skills,” she said. “So it is ideally supposed to be a personal growth opportunity for each participating member.”

Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post is among the remaining broadcast series speakers. GPC students will be able to participate in that and other presentations via satellite.