Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers Encourages CTU Students to Leave a Legacy
On November 6, 2015, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers visited Professor Susan Kuiper’s Public Administration class. Dr. Andy Cain, regional vice president and chancellor of CTU’s Colorado Springs campus, welcomed Mayor Suthers. Before being elected as the 41st mayor of Colorado Springs, Suthers served as attorney general of Colorado from 2005 to 2015 and received the 2012 Kelly-Wyman Award, the highest honor given by the National Association of Attorneys General1. The mayor spoke about his career experiences as a lawyer and diverse work in public service, emphasizing the importance of professionalism and relationship building in achieving positive outcomes throughout his career.
Suthers mentioned three keys to happiness in life: someone to love, something meaningful to do, and something to look forward to. Given the professional and personal challenges along the way, it’s important to keep these three keys in mind. He encouraged students to find meaning in their work and consider what legacy they hope to leave behind for future generations.
“I was very impressed with the mayor’s discussion about ‘being a good ancestor,’” remarked Professor Kuiper. “He talked about working in public service as leaving a legacy for everyone that comes after and stressed the importance of finding meaning in the work we do. He said that George Washington was a good ancestor even though he never had any children; his legacy was intended to be for all of us,” she continued.
Learn more about CTU’s public administration degree programs.
1https://coloradosprings.gov/government/general-information/mayors-office/mayor-john-suthers, 11/24/15