'Social Excellence' is Focus for Annual Honors Lecture, Nov. 4
JONESBORO – "Social excellence" is the art of gathering people together around important causes.
Matt Mattson, a co-creator of The Social Excellence Project and co-founder of its sister company, Phired Up Productions, will introduce the idea of social excellence to Arkansas State University students for the sixth annual Honors Lecture of the Year, on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
"Social excellence" is a philosophy, a way to approach every day, a lifestyle. People who choose social excellence are exceptional at interpersonal communication, they experience deeper relationships, they are the hosts of every situation in which they find themselves, they have expansive personal and organizational networks, they understand that all leadership is social, they realize their potential for impacting the world is directly correlated to their ability to connect with other people in meaningful ways.
Mattson’s presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Carl R. Reng Student Union. Admission is free and open to the public. A reception and book signing will follow his address.
The author is known for bringing his lessons in entertaining, inspiring, and innovative ways. Twelve students will have opportunity to eat dinner and socialize with Mattson prior to his interactive presentation.
The Social Excellence Project was founded on the belief that organizations change the world. A group of people gathered together around a powerful, positive purpose is the driving force for improving the world. The Social Excellence Project teaches the art and science of helping those world-shaping organizations grow.
“Honors is fortunate that the Lecture-Concert Series shared interest in the Social Excellence message and that students, faculty, staff, and administrators from all over campus have shown their support,” said Jamie Beck, assistant director of the Honors College. “The Honors Lecture of the Year aims to stimulate campus discussion through academic discourse about a thought-provoking issue that affects higher education or students thereof.”
Mattson grew up in Michigan, attended Grand Valley State University as an undergrad, and has found his way to Colorado where he lives with his wife and two daughters. He has a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s in advertising and public relations, and he has authored a couple of books. Mattson also enjoys running and following the Chicago Cubs.
Lecture Concert Series co-sponsors with the Honors College are the Student Government Association, Office of the Provost, the Graduate School, College of Agriculture and Technology, College of Education and Behavioral Science, College of Media and Communication, College of Nursing and Health Professions, College of Sciences and Mathematics, College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Dean B. Ellis Library.
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Matt Mattson
