Spring Break
ECU alum returns with 'people first, business second' mindset
Gregory T. Hedgepeth II
Issue date: 4/21/09 Section: News
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The lecture, "Put People First and Business Will Follow," is a mantra that Spaulding has used throughout his career.
Spaulding, an ECU graduate and former president and CEO of the non-profit global leadership organization, Up with People, has recently been named the first Leader in Residence at ECU.
While most students' attendance seemed to be required for various classes, at least one student came with the intentions of gaining valuable insight.
"I want to open my own assisted living business," said Anissa Cooper, junior nursing major. "But I would have come even if it wasn't required for my Finance 1904 class."
Dr. Frederick D. Niswander, the dean of the College of Business, introduced Spaulding to the audience.
"He majored in political science during his time here," Niswander said. "He's since made up for it."
Before beginning his presentation, Spaulding showed the now infamous YouTube video featuring Susan Boyle, a contestant from "Britain's Got Talent." Described as a "homely" woman by several news outlets, the show's three judges as well as the audience appeared skeptical of Boyle's talent because of her appearance. However, the Scottish native proved she did have talent, singing "I Dreamed A Dream," garnering nothing but surprised admiration from the crowd and the judges, one of which includes the notorious Simon Cowell.
Upon the video's completion, Spaulding said, "I am Susan Boyle [because] no one believed I could do it either. I'm dyslexic. School was really tough for me."
He revealed that he received a 620 on his SAT, graduated with a 1.9 GPA from high school and graduated in the bottom five percent of his class.
After being introduced to Up With People, an international leadership non-profit group, he decided to spend a year touring the world. Eventually, he came back home and decided he wanted to give college a try.
After being accepted into ECU, he worked hard as a student and as a busboy and waiter at Chico's.
His first friend at ECU was Chad Harris, a quadriplegic. They ended up being roommates and Spaulding took care of him every day.
"I washed him, dressed him, everything," Spaulding said.
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