Spaulding named first Leader in Residence at ECU

GREENVILLE, N.C.   —   Thomas J. “Tommy” Spaulding, former president of Up With People, has been named the first Leader in Residence at East Carolina University.

Spaulding, who was the university’s spring commencement speaker last year, will serve in his new role during the 2009 calendar year. He will assist with the development of programs and activities to ensure the university’s success as “the leadership university,” which is one of the five major directions outlined in ECU’s strategic plan.

Tommy Spaulding

Chancellor Steve Ballard said, “Tommy is a perfect match for our leadership initiative. He has a proven track record in leadership development and has earned the respect of other well-known leaders. He is one of us and we couldn’t be happier to have him join our team in this critical role.”

Spaulding said, “Our world is starving for better leaders. Universities should develop graduates, but, more importantly, they should develop future leaders. ECU has the opportunity to be a true leadership university, and I’m proud to be a part of this tremendous vision.”

Spaulding, a 1992 graduate of ECU, has recently formed a leadership consulting and speaking firm based in Denver. In 2000, he established Leader’s Challenge, the largest high school civic and leadership program in Colorado.

While a student at ECU, he served as senior class president, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, and president of the Inter-fraternity Council, and he earned the Most Outstanding Leader award. In 2006, he received an ECU Outstanding Alumni Award.

He holds an MBA from Bond University in Queensland, Australia, and an MA in non-profit management from Regis University in Denver. He serves on the board of trustees for the Museum of Outdoor Arts and on the board of directors of Leader’s Challenge.