Beyond the Bottom Line

I am back at work in the Office of Service-Learning at La Sierra University. Unofficially of course, so don't spread that around too soon. When we arrived here at LSU at about 3:00 this morning. At that time, I thought I would want to just sleep all day, but I just felt this strong need this morning to come to work.

I have been a complete World Cup Trophy hog the last couple of days. It was so much fun carrying it around to the airport and on the plane. I think my favorite moment yesterday was when I was sent through airport security with workers cheering and patting me on the back, and Adam Phillips, who was walking behind me, getting pulled aside to be searched.

I have the trophy here in my office right now, but today it will be sent to its rightful place traveling around the campus. One test of a champion is what comes after success. I have gotten to watch the new team act as true champions. Our work does not stop upon the receipt of recognition. I know the rest of the team woke up today as I did, with a hunger to get back to work and make a difference in the world around them. This team now has a very important responsibility. Teams around the world are now looking to them for inspiration and direction. The question may start with "how did they do it?" but that soon evolves into "how can we do more together?" Our goal was to share with teams around the world that Students in Free Enterprise have gone beyond only competition, to go beyond the bottom line as Dean Thomas taught us.

We build upon our failures and celebrate our success by increasing our efforts. These students are ready to do just that. The Students in Free Enterprise team at La Sierra University will continue to grow and build upon itself, increasing sustainability and working effectively with others around the world. This is not about a new team reaching the same level as an old team. This is about one team with the passion and committment to lead a student movement for an entire generation. And I believe that teams around the world now realize that they too are leaders in this movement, inspiring others, including us.