The department of military science and leadership hosted a leadership forum in the North Gym auditorium Wednesday night that highlighted historical leaders and Fresno State’s role in the community.

Panelists included Assemblyman Jim Patterson, Fresno State women’s basketball coach Raegan Pebley and Fresno State Associate Provost Dr. Lynnette Zelezny.

The discussion was part of a series the department put together as a conversation starter about leadership at Fresno State and the community.

Lt. Col. Lorenzo Rios, department chair of the military science and leadership department, believes Fresno State has a lot of potential.

“I see how great Fresno State really is, but I don’t think Fresno State really talks about how great it really is,” Rios said. “I want people to take pride in what they have.

“We have so much opportunity here, and if we could just wake up to that potential, we really have a sleeping giant here.”

The panelists discussed what they believed leadership to be and referenced many leaders from U.S. history such as Martin Luther King Jr., President Ronald Reagan and explorers Louis and Clark.

Patterson quoted Reagan saying, “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.”

Patterson shared his view on leadership stating, “We are all encouraged and energized to lead by our nation’s history. To be a leader, you have to have a compelling vision with a purpose.

“You must be focused, direct and disciplined. Leadership is not an end, it is a journey, and it begins with a decision.”

Zelezny, who has a background in leadership, dove into the psychological aspects of leadership.

She said there are personality traits that indicate leadership skills, like bravery.

“When becoming a leader, one of the first things you have to do is be willing to stand up during hard times,” she said. “It doesn’t mean you have to be a visionary. You don’t even have to be brilliant.”

Pebley shared how she teaches leadership to her team.

She said she teaches horizontal leadership so everyone on the team has a say and depends on each other, rather than vertical leadership where the team can lose its vision when only one person makes a mistake.

Dalton Dupree, a Fresno State student who plans to become an elementary school teacher, said the discussion helped prepare him for his goal.

“This discussion really got me thinking on my future and what I can do to be a leader in my community,” Dupree said.

Rios said he hoped the discussion left students asking themselves, “Why not me?” in regards to leadership roles.

He hopes students ask themselves, “What if we wake up to the light, and that light is leadership?”

Rios said he wants to have two similar discussions in the spring semester.

“The over-arching theme will always be leadership, but we will start injecting core values into the talks,” Rios said. “Tonight we heard leadership and loyalty, next time we’ll have leadership and duty, then others like honor and respect. Then we’ll let the community decide what the next series is.