CAMPUSPEAK

One of our most popular speakers presenting a variety of practical keynotes on Greek and college life.

Students from all corners of the country have called upon Rick Barnes to deliver powerful messages in a practical, approachable style. Rick works hard to appeal to students' common sense and their basic desire to make the most of their college leadership experiences. Rick has been a featured speaker on 1,200 college campuses!

• Keynotes

• Leading with Your Letters
• Dying to be Greek
• Lead Your Way to the Top!
• Hazing: When Will it End?
• Building the Whole Athlete
• Drink Think: A Personal Approach to Alcohol
• Living the Dream of Our Founders

Leading with Your Letters

Isn’t it time to get fired up about being Greek? This keynote challenges audience members to get excited about membership in their organization. This high-energy keynote addresses the issues facing fraternities and sororities, and leaves the participants with the desire to get out there and make a difference.

Note from the speaker:

This is my all-encompassing “Go Greek” message. It is very popular for fraternity and sorority general audiences, particularly with conferences, Greek Week programs, etc. I am a HUGE supporter of the fraternity and sorority movement, but I know we have our challenges. Let’s get started right now as we Lead With Our Letters!

Dying to be Greek

This keynote addresses the unfortunate reality that although fraternity and sorority members commit to one-another, we also sometimes open the door to unfortunate incidents that sometimes lead to fatal circumstances. This keynote challenges members to re-commit to our original purpose.

Note from the speaker:

This is my newest keynote for a fraternity/sorority audience. In the Fall of 2004, we experienced three major deaths at the University of Colorado, Colorado State University and the University of Oklahoma that really triggered the development of this keynote. Ths is a perfect keynote for Greek convocation, Greek Week or any other time when the fraternity/sorority community or national organization needs a strong program on purpose, values and commitment.

Lead Your Way to the Top!

This keynote takes a fun, interactive approach to leadership. Lead Your Way To The Top goes beyond the basics, addressing organizational change theory, specifically addressing the role of the leader in the process. Participants have the opportunity to challenge themselves throughout the presentation as principles of leadership are shared.

Note from the speaker:

I spent years of study and experience developing this keynote. I go beyond the basics. We’re not talking about how to run better meetings or goal setting. This keynote works very well with leadership programs, workshops, conferences, etc. I approach leadership from a new perspective that touches on theory, yet without all the jargon that confuses the real issues.

Hazing: When Will it End?

This keynote takes an honest look at hazing, the problems it causes and the reasons it continues to exist on campus. Participants are challenged to take a serious look at how they work with their newest members. Hazing definitions are covered. Organization principles violated by hazing are highlighted. Necessary changes in moving from historical training of new members to a more contemporary role of new member education is addressed.

Note from the speaker:

This keynote is generally presented to fraternity and sorority audiences. However, I have a version that is language specific to student-athletes. Talk with me about your specific needs. This keynote qualifies for an NCAA grant if presented to athletes. Don’t forget about National Hazing Prevention Week!

Building the Whole Athlete

In this keynote, intercollegiate athletes are challenged to excel in their given sport as well as in life. The positive development of the individual, including intellectual, spiritual, social and moral are covered, in addition to physical, which is already such a major factor for student-athletes.

Note from the speaker:

This keynote is targeted to student-athletes, trainers, athletic directors, coaches and others involved with campus athletic departments. Intercollegiate athletics plays such a key role on most college campuses. The student-athletes involved in these programs need to realize that they have a huge opportunity to excel in every area of their life. I enjoy helping them with this process. Of course, “Building the Whole Athlete” qualifies for the NCAA Grant program.

Drink Think: A Personal Approach to Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used and misused substance in our colleges and universities today. Alcohol is no stranger on campus. Alcohol problems are no stranger on campus either. This keynote goes beyond the rules and regulations, and addresses the personal choice concerning alcohol use. This is a fun, interactive, yet serious discussion about alcohol use on campus.

Note from the speaker:

This is currently my number one program! “Drink Think” qualifies for an NCAA grant if athletes are included. If you have been looking for a solid general alcohol education and responsibility keynote that speaks to the realities of today’s students, this is it. “Drink Think” is a perfect keynote for new students, fraternities and sororities, convocation, athletes, alcohol awareness week or simply as a general student health and wellness presentation. Don’t forget about National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week!

Living the Dream of Our Founders

Fraternities and sororities have existed on American college campuses for more than two centuries, shaping the experiences of millions of men and women. Today, there is fiery debate between advocates of the fraternity/sorority experience and those who feel it’s become more harmful than beneficial. Truth is, when we live up to the dreams of our founding fathers and mothers, our communities provide one of the best leadership and values-building experiences available to a young man or woman today. But, that takes a deliberate commitment to building diverse and relevant fraternities and sororities that work together, add to the campus and fulfill their stated missions.

In this keynote, Rick addresses all the various groups that make up our rich community, challenging everyone to collaborate toward higher performance and standards for everyone who wears letters. Let’s get serious about living the dream of fraternity and sorority, let’s have some fun doing it and let’s move the conversation back to what’s good about fraternity and sorority.

Rick's Bio