[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 23] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 31991-31992] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]PROFILE IN LEADERSHIP ______ HON. JACK KINGSTON of georgia in the house of representatives Tuesday, November 25, 2003 Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to stand here today and pay tribute to one of Georgia's truly outstanding citizens. I would like to recognize William Megathlin's contribution to society by presenting this article to the rest of Congress. [From ``Compass'', Summer 2003] Profile in Leadership--William L. Megathlin Bill Megathlin briefly stretches his lanky frame behind his office desk, pulling his [[Page 31992]] trademark suspenders taut for a moment, then leans forward, making his visitor feel at home. The assistant to the president for strategic initiatives is uncomfortable talking about his leadership skills but not averse to giving a bit of background information. A native of Miami, Megathlin earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. He went on for a master's degree and a doctorate in counseling at the University of Georgia. His doctoral dissertation focused on training correctional officers at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary in basic communication skills to better influence inmate behavior. The study, funded by a grant from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, demonstrated such a positive effect on officers and inmates alike that the training method was adopted by other federal and state institutions. Megathlin launched his academic career at Mississippi State University as an assistant professor of counselor education. During his tenure at MSU, he also worked as a consultant with state and federal criminal Justice agencies. Though he enjoyed preparing college students to become effective counselors, his heart was in corrections and law enforcement. So when he was offered a position in the highly regarded Department of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University, he and his wife Carol were off to Huntsville, Texas. In 1971, Megathlin's brother John, suffered a serious head injury in an automobile accident outside Metter. So severe were his injuries that he was rushed to Memorial Hospital in Savannah. Bill and Carol drove through the night to Savannah after hearing of the accident. They spent a few days visiting John in the hospital. John eventually made a complete recovery and the Megathlins spent some time exploring Savannah. They were intrigued. While in the city, Megathlin visited Armstrong State College. He discovered that a new criminal justice program was in the process of being established under the leadership of Jim Witt. A few letters, phone calls, and an interview later, Megathlin was hired as one of two new professors in the fledgling program. Several years later, when Witt took a sabbatical, Megathlin was tapped to serve as interim chairman of the department. ``In those days,'' Megathlin recalls, ``there were large numbers of students pursuing criminal justice degrees, and local and state agencies were hungering for involvement with the university and for the opportunity to work with students and faculty. They were anxious to reach out to academics to help them address some of their challenges. That was very attractive. ``It was a great time for me professionally. Career-wise, I got more involved with administrative responsibilities.'' When former president Robert A. Burnett arrived, he combined the departments of criminal justice and political science into the Department of Government under Megathlin. ``Bob Burnett was good for the university and for me,'' Megathlin said. ``He was one of those people involved in the business of administration who makes it a team effort. Over the years, I've been fortunate to work with people who make me look good.'' When former vice-president Frank A. Butler created a division of academic and enrollment services, he named Megathlin as dean to spearhead the reorganization. Contacted at his Atlanta office, Butler, now vice chancellor of the University System of Georgia's Office of Academics, Faculty, and Student Affairs said, ``We were able to create a good climate for student enrollment thanks to Bill. He was a major part of the idea creating cadre.'' Butler gives Megathlin much of the credit for increasing the college's enrollment past the 3,000 mark in the late `80's. ``He doesn't make things take forever,'' Butler said. ``He cuts to the chase and gets results.'' Over time, new functions were added to the academic and enrollment division that didn't always form a neat fit, but Megathlin found ways to make them work. In the process, he was in position to influence many aspects of the growing university. With the arrival of President Thomas Z. Jones, Megathlin again found himself in the middle of reorganization. To help move his vision for the university forward, Jones asked Megathlin to become his assistant for strategic initiatives. In his new role, Megathlin can often be found in Atlanta, making AASU's case to legislators and regents for buildings such as University Hall, the Science Center, the future academic building, and the planned renovation of the Lane Library. Forrest Lott, principle in Lott + Barber Architects, has worked with Megathlin on the construction of University Hall and the Science Center, as well as on the refurbishing of Solms and Hawes halls. ``One of the things about Bill,'' Lott said, ``is that he recognizes the skills and abilities of each of the team members and relies on them to do their part. He doesn't try to be the architect . . . That gets everyone pulling in the right direction.'' Lott was impressed by Megathlin's professionalism. ``Whenever there was an issue related to any of the projects we worked with him on, he made it go away instantly,'' the architect said. Megathlin also serves as the link to Georgia's leadership structure. ``It is important that the state's leaders know what Armstrong Atlantic is all about,'' he explained. ``To his credit, the president has made that a high priority for the university.'' State Senator Eric Johnson has known Megathlin for fifteen years and has worked with him in the legislature on educational issues affecting AASU and the First District. Mention the educator and words like ``gentleman'' and ``integrity'' immediately slip into the legislator's conversation. Johnson summed up his observations by saying, ``When Bills asks for something, you know it's important and you know it's been prioritized. He always knows what is reasonable and possible.'' Megathlin doesn't talk much about his personal leadership style, but he did volunteer this: ``You have to make things happen and not just wait for them to happen. That's probably the key to leadership.'' ____________________