FTE Staff Spotlight – John Buck

As society evolves and transforms, so must world leaders – a fact that John Buck is aware of and has spent his life educating others in leadership theory. Luckily, the Foundation for Teaching Economics benefits from his commitment to teaching young leaders. John currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Webster University. He is also a Professor at Webster, teaching leadership courses focusing on thought and theory for undergraduate and graduate students. But we value him as one of FTE’s Student Administrators.

John has been involved in leadership education since attending graduate school at Webster University, where he received his master’s degree in Management and Leadership and his doctorate in Management. Prior to these, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Colorado State University. During his time at Colorado State, he met a colleague who introduced him to another avenue for leadership education: Economics for Leaders (EFL).

His colleague informed him that FTE was in need of a program coordinator for a program being held in the summer of 1993 at the University of California, Berkeley. Soon after their conversation, John was on a plane to California, and after one program, he was hooked on the “economic way of thinking”.

“For me, the experience was transformational.”

Not only did John facilitate leadership education, he also enjoyed the economic sessions and began to understand the value of developing an economic way of thinking for himself. While he views leadership as the most important skill for students to learn about, develop, and apply in real life settings, he also believes that “the leadership curriculum works in service to the economics curriculum by connecting concepts that position students to lead in a unique and holistic way.”

Throughout the years, John has found that he also learns and grows as a result of each program he facilitates, whether from students or his FTE colleagues. With that learning in mind, he shares that prospective students can expect three outcomes from attending EFL:

1. You will gain a deeper understanding of leadership and economics, leaving you empowered.
2. You will build connections with peers that surpass the bonds you have at home.
3. You will experience a profound transformation.

Even after 32 years, John still keeps in touch with students from his first program, a testament to the relationships fostered during the week of EFL. Since its establishment in 1975, FTE has selected talented educators, who have taught passionate students, but he says the community is now deeper than just educators and now alumni. According to John, what began as a community of scholars has become a “multi-generational family.” FTE’s program staff now send their own children, who have not only attended a program, but have also become involved as program coordinators and instructors.

Characteristics that constitute a leader – adaptability, introspection, empathy, initiative – are also descriptors for John Buck. He has been and continues to be an asset to his students, and the Foundation for Teaching Economics eagerly awaits future programs with him at the helm!