Dr. Will Keim makes an impact at NDSU

Written by Brittany Bergstrom Tuesday, 29 September 2009 08:00

Dr. Will Keim brought his insights on life and leadership to NDSU campus Saturday evening where he presented “Keys to Success in College and Life.” In his speech, Dr. Keim presented his 10 keys of success; scholarship, service, peacemaking, character, health, spirit, freedom, letting go, the secret and 25,000 days.

His interactive approach personalized his speech to the students in attendance. Keim, whom related the ten keys to each person, believes they can be practical for all aspects of life.

“I call them keys to success in college and life because; although I am aiming my speech toward college students, I believe they can be applied in life, as well,” Keim said.

One of the main points Keim came across was the fact that the keys are not always what they seem at first glance. In order to achieve any of these keys, happiness needs to be reached. 

Keim’s scholarship key relates to finding something to be passionate about and becoming good at it; which is also the secret to life. Service pertains to becoming involved in the community and helping others. Keim feels this is a main step in achieving happiness.

“The one thing that everyone needs to be happy is to feel needed,” Keim said.

His 25,000 days is his notion that there are 25,000 days in a lifetime. In his presentation, Keim asked the audience what they want to do with their days left. 

At 55, Keim assured the students that time will continue to go faster and faster, and although it may seem like a long time now, at his age, it is easy to see how short amount of time it really is.

“$25,000 is not a lot of money and 25,000 grains of sand is only two handfuls, so what would make you think that 25,000 days is a lot of time? Our lifetime is short, make it worthwhile,” Keim said.

From being an educator, residence hall director, education program coordinator, fraternity member, four-year Division I letterman in baseball and an intercollegiate chaplain, Dr. Keim can relate to university students and the day-to-day issues that are experienced. 

Becky Loney, Assistant Director for Leadership and Community Development for the University of North Dakota, heard positive feedback from students who attended one of Dr. Keim’s presentations last spring and found Leadership Training Day the perfect opportunity to invite him to speak on campus.

“This last April, a delegation of students attended a leadership conference where Dr. Will Keim was one of the speakers and he made quite an impact on the students attending,” Loney said. 

According to the audience’s positive response, Dr. Keim did not disappoint during his NDSU visit. The students that were in attendance were impressed with his presentation and his personalized style. 

“He was very interpersonal–what he said was a major point in his speech. He practices what he preaches,” Jacob Wagner, senior Electrical Engineer, said.

Another student, Miranda Schultz, a senior in Natural Resource Management, was one of the students that had the privilege of seeing Dr. Keim speak last April.

“This is the third time I’ve seen him and I’d enjoy seeing him again. He is a hilarious speaker and engages his audience,” Schultz said.

Dr. Will Keim is a renowned speaker who has presented to over 2 million students, faculty, and staff on over 2,000 campuses throughout the United States and Canada. He is recognized for his client-tailored presentations and has addressed subjects such as student orientation, student athletes, character building, diversity awareness, student life and life after college. 

The 10 Keys to Success in College and Life, the focus of Saturday’s presentation, seemed a perfect addition to the Leadership Training Day events.  

“Dr. Keim is a very gracious speaker and works to interact with as many people as possible when he visits a university. Knowing his background and approach to multi-ethnic environments, and the university’s growth and focus in this area, we felt it was a great match to utilize him again with the entire NDSU community on this subject,” Loney said. 

Dr. Keim is not only a distinguished public speaker. He is also a respected author and founder of The Character Institute and Will Keim Speaks, Inc., where he hosts podcasts, sells DVD’s and CD’s; as well as offers “Keys to Success in College Life” for college credit through Eastern Oregon University. 

A few notable publications are “Keys to Success in College Life,” “The Truth about College: 50 Lessons for Parents before They Start Writing the Checks,” “Life After College: Lessons for Students in Transition,” and was a contributing author for the national best seller, “Chicken Soup for the College Soul.”  

For more information on Dr. Will Keim and his services or to order one of his books, DVD’s, or CD’s, visit www.willkeim.com.