U.Va.'s Kenneth Elzinga to Unveil Theory of Unconventional Styles of Leadership

April 14, 2009 — Kenneth G. Elzinga, the Robert C. Taylor Chair of Economics and a member of the faculty at the University of Virginia since 1967, will present his theory of leadership styles at a lecture Wednesday at 5 p.m. in a free public lecture. Elzinga is being honored as the winner of the 2009 Jefferson Scholars Foundation Faculty Prize.
 
Entitled "Some Unconventional Principles of Leadership," the address will contrast multiple leadership styles, including the "born leader," leadership by intimidation, leadership as tactic and leadership by disguise.

"The heart of my talk will focus on the servant-leader and leading by example," Elzinga said. "I will describe the roots of these theories of leadership, how counter-intuitive they seem to be, and how they can be effective. Business firms, universities, government bureaucracies, and not-for-profits all can benefit from understanding leadership styles to achieve the organization's ends."
 
"We are honored to have Professor Elzinga accept the Jefferson Scholars Foundation Faculty Prize," said Jimmy Wright, president of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation. "Honorees are invited to speak to the U. Va. community about Jeffersonian ideals of leadership and citizenship within the framework of their research and scholarship.  At this juncture in our nation's history, Professor Elzinga's insights into leadership styles and their consequences are particularly timely."

A citation and $5,000 cash award will also be presented at the event.
 
A former Fellow in Law and Economics at the University of Chicago and a Thomas Jefferson Visiting Scholar at Cambridge University, Elzinga is past president of the Southern Economic Association and serves as a trustee at Hope College. He holds a B.A. and honorary doctorate from Kalamazoo College and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University.
 
Elzinga's research on antitrust economics has centered on pricing strategy and market definition. He has testified in precedent-setting antitrust cases and written more than 70 publications, including mystery novels in which the protagonist employs economics to solve crimes. Elzinga is the third individual to be honored with the Jefferson Scholars Foundation Faculty Prize.
 
There is limited seating.
 
About the Jefferson Scholars Foundation
 
The 28-year-old not-for-profit Jefferson Scholars Foundation serves the University of Virginia by identifying, attracting and nurturing individuals of extraordinary intellectual range and depth who possess the highest qualities of leadership, scholarship, and citizenship. For information, visit www.jeffersonscholars.org.

About the Jefferson Scholars Foundation Faculty Prize

 
Awarded every other year to an outstanding faculty member of the University of Virginia, the Jefferson Scholars Foundation Faculty Prize is meant to foster an ongoing dialogue about Jeffersonian ideals. The recipient, selected by the Jefferson Scholars Alumni Advisory Committee, recognizes and celebrates commitment to leadership, scholarship and citizenship, the same criteria used in the selection of Jefferson Scholars.

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