Submissions invited for an interdisciplinary conference on Ronald Wilson Reagan’s formative years in the Midwest. The conference will commemorate the 100th birthday of Ronald Reagan and will take place at Eureka College, Reagan’s alma mater and the home of the Ronald W. Reagan Museum. Papers can address any aspect of life in the Midwest from the early 1900s to the 1930s. Possible leadership development topics related to Reagan and the Midwest include:

• The impact of the Great Depression on Reagan’s generation
• The place of the Midwest in notions of national identity and patriotism, public education, work ethic, and family/community/religious life
• The impact of small colleges on students in the early 20th century, including notions of liberal education, economic& sociology curricula, moral/ethical/character development, civic engagement, community service, social fraternities, performing arts, and intercollegiate sports.
• The application of theories of leadership development to Reagan’s personal narrative from childhood through his college years.

Papers that address the influence of these and other factors on Ronald Reagan’s formative years of development are especially welcome. Please submit a one-page abstract (no longer than 300 words) and a brief cv to provost@eureka.edu. Deadline for submissions has been extended to July 15, 2010.