The ethical foundations of moral obligations have always been of critical importance for every leader in American society. Here at the University of San Diego, we recognize the importance of developing leaders with sound moral character who have the ability to make decisions based on this foundation. A key element of our University mission is to challenge students to develop knowledge, values, and skills to enrich their lives and to prepare them for careers which will provide service to their global, civic, and faith communities. This development should not be limited to just our student population; leaders in all aspects of our society can gain from discussions on moral issues to enrich their lives and enhance their service and leadership duty to their communities.

With this in mind, the University of San Diego has established a forum within which members of the University community, the local Naval community, and the local corporate community can come together for thoughtful discussion of morally challenging issues faced by those in leadership roles in our society. This forum is the James Bond Stockdale Leadership and Ethics Symposium.

James Bond Stockdale is both a leader and an educator. A retired Vice Admiral with over three decades of honorable service in the United States Navy, he is also a noted philosopher and writer. I am very honored that he has agreed to have his name associated with our program as he exemplifies the highest ideals of leadership and ethics. This symposium is the first in a series of annual events which will eventually lead to the establishment of a Leadership and Ethics Chair in James Bond Stockdale's name. For this inaugural event we are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Nancy Sherman from Georgetown University to be our keynote speaker.

James Bond Stockdale writes, in Trial by Fire, that a key element of a good leader is to have a philosophical outlook. The goal of an Ethics Chair at the University of San Diego is to foster this ideal and promote ethical studies within the leadership of the San Diego community. Admiral Stockdale continues in Trial by Fire to state that future leaders should be people "who do not follow public opinion but are transforming leaders who can implant high-minded needs in place of self-interested wants in the hearts of their people." These are true leaders, like James Bond Stockdale, and are the type of leaders the University of San Diego hopes to develop.

Alice B. Hayes